I'm done with Orchard Supply Hardware

[Craig]

I've always enjoyed being able to go into an OSH store and buy just about any fastener I need, but no longer.  Yesterday I went in to get some 9/16-18 NF bolts, a 9/16-18 tap, red Locktite, a couple of drill bits (17/64 and 33/64) and got so discouraged that most of those items are not there anymore that I left without any of them.  Looks like I'll be buying my nuts and bolts on-line from McMaster Carr from now on.  They even have the balls to put a rack of Grade 2 bolts and nuts out!  Most people don't even know what the differences between grades are, let alone what to do with them.  All in the name of increased profits.  I might as well go to Home Depot, the prices are better and there's more to choose from.

Maybe I should open a very small store that sells just fasteners to people who qualify as informed users only.  There will be a test.

[JiMini]

Not to laugh Craig, but only to agree.  Check and see who really owns the local Orchard Supply.  The one I used to shop at was bought out by Home Depot.  They then were going to close itwithin a few months.  (Hmmm, get rid of competition?)  The city wouldn't let them close it outright so Home Depot kept it open but stock did change quite a bit.  The consumer has to be much more wise these days.  J

[Thorty]

I guess I am lucky having two good hardwares in the city.  I shop Discount Builder's and Center Hardware at least once a week for the buildings. Center has two full aisles of Hillman. I actually found a lot of the bits to redo the van there. Orchard doesn't even have as much Craftsman as they use to. Time are a changin'. -Shawn

[sammysailor]

Craig
The NAPA store on Winchester a stones throw from you had a good selection. Too bad they closed. Buy out their inventory to start your store. Hmmm when will that austion take place.
Sammy

[Craig]

We missed the auction Rick.  The NAPA store was cleared out a while ago and now there's another auto parts store in there called "INTEX".  It's kind of a different arrangement as the entrance is around the side instead of the front.  I haven't checked it out yet and keep forgetting it's there.

Through work I can get a deal at Grainger's so I'll be going there for interesting things.

[GREYHARE]

I was just in the Concord OSH today but I wasn't looking for general hardware, just some stainless stuff because it was going to be outside and I didn't want it to rust.  I did see that they have made a big change in the hardware selection, but it looked like they added a whole bunch of stuff.  I'll have to wait until I need some grade 5 or 8 nuts & bolts.  The guy did say they still had stuff in bulk.  I hate to buy 5 or 10 5/16 nuts for $1.50 when I can get 100 for $5.

We have a brand new Lowe's right next to Jon's MiniPart shop but a bought some bolts I needed there a few weeks back and they were incredibly overpriced compared to OSH.

Nick Becker

[eightbitguy]

I KNOW!  I went to OSH about a week ago and all the nuts and bolts were in different displays and no longer has the big boxes of bolts.  I was looking for a 9/16" UNF bolt but no luck!  It's sad how things are done only for the bottom line!  If that was what we were doing, we wouldn't be restoring old Minis!

--atsushi

[Craig]

atsushi, no one carries 9/16 bolts coarse or fine threads.  Even McMasterCarr jumps from 1/2 to 5/8 and only has the 9/16 in stainless steel for a couple of bolts that I couldn't use.  I had to go with a 5/8 NF thread for the larger holes to be plugged in my block.  So, I guess my rant at the beginning of this thread was somewhat unjustified, but they certainly don't have the selection they used to at OSH.

Although, if I ever need "plow bolts", OSH has them all.  When was the last time you got the plow out and turned over the back 40?

[patz66b]

Actually the entire OSH division is owned by Sears. There used to be a great fastener spot in Concord, called the Screw Shop. Haven't lived over that way for almost 20 yrs now so don't know if it is still there. Here's a couple suggestions: Fastenal is a big chain with a bunch of locations (one in San Rafael); Pini Hardware in Novato has great selections of SS hardware in SAE & Metric; or you can try:

R.E.P. Nut N Bolt Guy
1012 Morse Ave, Ste.#4
Sunnyvale, CA 94089

pete@nutnboltguy.com

408-747-1564 Ofc
408-747-1564 Fax

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 9AM to 5PM
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