Favorite Alternatives To Home Depot And Loews For Supplies

[fadderall]

Thought it might be handy to start a thread for stores to get supplies/tools that are not the HomOews Box Stores. Not the rv/bus parts/graveyard type of thread but for stores that sell all the specialty hardware, electronics and tools we might need. The local, regional joints. The ones that are still left typically stock everything the big boys don’t. Stores with rows of bolts and nuts, 550 polyurethane, end mills and more, IN STOCK. Dingy wonderlands like this

Remember when you didn’t need a police escort to buy a rattle can?

550 on the shelf

How about we post our favorites, where they are and what they stock? Could be a great resource for those oops I should have ordered more on Amazon or the dreaded stranded where can I get it now situation. Personally, I like to wander these type of stores and get ideas. I’ll start:

McFadden Dale
Hardware Store
SoCal, Phoenix, Las Vegas
McFadden-Dale Home
Old school. Aisles of bolts and nuts. Poly 550 in stock.

McMaster Carr
Everything hardware.
Chicago/Online.
https://www.mcmaster.com
They have everything. If you want to prototype or design with part numbers and drawings. Not the cheapest, but great search and good place to see if that thing in your head exists.

Digikey
Electronics parts
Online
https://www.digikey.com
For electronic parts and connectors and components. Not cheap but excellent online resources. Cross reference, drawings, specs, and application engineers you can call and question about parts.

What’s you favorite place?

 

[cadillackid]

in columbus ohio we have Zettler hardware, ACE hardware(they are OK), and sutherlands lumber / Hardware.. all devent sized places like you speak of.. rows and rows of bolts N nuts.. guys that will cut open packages for you to see if something fits,



Grainger is pricey and typically order-only but they do have the hard-to-get hardware parts.. and usually within a day or so if you are in a decent sized city..



NAPA stores that are located near trucking yards and industrial parks. often stock comon parts like belts / hoses / fittings / filters for medium / heavy duty trucks and busses.. and have machine shops too if you need drums turned, driveshafts shortened, U-joints installed, etc.. they also have a lot of hardware believe it or not..


-Christopher

 

[oredigger-SKO]

I like Fastenal.

 

[o1marc]

I hate Fastenal around here. They only carry quantities and won't break open a pack to sell individuals. I don't want to buy 100 if I only need 6. One of the only stores I know that won't. They are definitely the most expensive place for anything they sell.
I buy all my bolt type hardware at TSC now, they sell by the pound, not by the piece and it works out to be about 1/10 of the price at Home Depot.

 

[jazty]

For those who happen to be in rural areas, check out farm co-ops. Interesting selection of hardware including all sorts of mechanical items for getting tractors back to work. If I'm looking for bolts and the like I'll usually stop in at the local co-op first since the prices are rock bottom.

EDIT: similar to what Christopher said, farm Napas have proven to have an excellent selection of in-stock parts. Way better than the typical automotive stores.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Rural King is a good place to get oil, batteries, tools, and stuff like that for pretty cheap.

 

[fadderall]

I hate Fastenal around here. They only carry quantities and won't break open a pack to sell individuals. I don't want to buy 100 if I only need 6. One of the only stores I know that won't. They are definitely the most expensive place for anything they sell.
I buy all my bolt type hardware at TSC now, they sell by the pound, not by the piece and it works out to be about 1/10 of the price at Home Depot.

Is TSC Tractor Supply Co? If so, there is one out here in Pahrump.

 

[o1marc]

Is TSC Tractor Supply Co? If so, there is one out here in Pahrump.

Yes.....

 

[tailor]

For those of you in Phoenix, check out Sumo Sales at 48 Ave and Van Buren.
It's an outlet store for Home Depot and other retailers. Kind of hard to describe. Confusing, very large, bad lighting, lots and lots of merchandise.
They assign someone to help you and they will give you the prices of the items.



Generally 50% off Home Depot prices and everything is negotiable.



Picked up a 12v chest cooler for $10 reg. $80. New but looked like a floor sample, but who cares?

 

[golfersmurf57]

Thought it might be handy to start a thread for stores to get supplies/tools that are not the HomOews Box Stores. Not the rv/bus parts/graveyard type of thread but for stores that sell all the specialty hardware, electronics and tools we might need. The local, regional joints. The ones that are still left typically stock everything the big boys don’t. Stores with rows of bolts and nuts, 550 polyurethane, end mills and more, IN STOCK. Dingy wonderlands like this

Remember when you didn’t need a police escort to buy a rattle can?

550 on the shelf

How about we post our favorites, where they are and what they stock? Could be a great resource for those oops I should have ordered more on Amazon or the dreaded stranded where can I get it now situation. Personally, I like to wander these type of stores and get ideas. I’ll start:

McFadden Dale
Hardware Store
SoCal, Phoenix, Las Vegas
McFadden-Dale Home
Old school. Aisles of bolts and nuts. Poly 550 in stock.

McMaster Carr
Everything hardware.
Chicago/Online.
https://www.mcmaster.com
They have everything. If you want to prototype or design with part numbers and drawings. Not the cheapest, but great search and good place to see if that thing in your head exists.

Digikey
Electronics parts
Online
https://www.digikey.com
For electronic parts and connectors and components. Not cheap but excellent online resources. Cross reference, drawings, specs, and application engineers you can call and question about parts.

What’s you favorite place?

Anyone know a source for a 1" drive cordless tire impact? Cause hand wrenching them wheels in the rain ain't fun. LoL

 

[golfersmurf57]

Wonder if the admin might not work on setting up a database by categories with hours, website , and phone contact info.

 

[Iceni John]

I get almost all my hardware from the McFadden-Dale store in Santa Ana CA. It's very rare that I cannot find exactly what I want there, very rare indeed. And the guys who work there know of what they speak, unlike most Home Despot staff who range between slightly helpful to completely clueless. I like stores staffed by cranky old farts who know their $hit. I also buy almost all my metals from Industrial Metal Supply in Irvine CA, any marine-ish items from West Marine in Newport Beach CA (I just got back from there to get some 2/0 tinned cable and lugs), I get all my hydraulic hoses made by Mesa Hose in Costa Mesa CA, and I had Ronco Plastics in Tustin CA make all four of my tanks. I've probably spent thousands at McFadden-Dale over the ten years I've been working on my bus, but that's just part of the cost of this hobby. It's still cheaper than flying, or owning a boat, or having race cars, or lots of other things that folk do to stay out of mischief (or stay in mischief?).

John

 

[Rivetboy]

I get almost all my hardware from the McFadden-Dale store in Santa Ana CA. It's very rare that I cannot find exactly what I want there, very rare indeed. And the guys who work there know of what they speak, unlike most Home Despot staff who range between slightly helpful to completely clueless. I like stores staffed by cranky old farts who know their $hit. I also buy almost all my metals from Industrial Metal Supply in Irvine CA, any marine-ish items from West Marine in Newport Beach CA (I just got back from there to get some 2/0 tinned cable and lugs), I get all my hydraulic hoses made by Mesa Hose in Costa Mesa CA, and I had Ronco Plastics in Tustin CA make all four of my tanks. I've probably spent thousands at McFadden-Dale over the ten years I've been working on my bus, but that's just part of the cost of this hobby. It's still cheaper than flying, or owning a boat, or having race cars, or lots of other things that folk do to stay out of mischief (or stay in mischief?).

John

Hey John, does this mean I have to get rid of N33FK ??

I like Mr hose in Carson and my West marine is just over the bridge out of Seal Beach. There is a NAPA close to my shop and I have had great success for all kinds of fittings , hardware etc. with ZORO on line. Also love anything from good old Aircraft Spruce.
And my favorite welding supply is Advanced gas in Huntington Beach.

 

[plfking]

I like stores staffed by cranky old farts who know their $hit.

Preach it.

 

[Rivetboy]

Home - Hillco Fastener Warehouse
These guys too they rock. Located in Garden Grove.

 

[Rivetboy]

. I had Ronco Plastics in Tustin CA make all four of my tanks.


Did those same guys make the "Amazing Veg-O- Matic" too ?

 

[kjelenfy]

Little hardware stores rule

Great idea! I don't support Amazon and avoid big box stores as often as possible. Any True Value. Hardware gets my vote. And yes the agri stores.

 

[Road Sloth]

The Habitat for Humanity ReStores. Check for locations https://www.habitat.org/restore