Since moving last summer, I've found a new source for things -- Rural King.   It's located in a former Walmart building to give you an idea of its size.  They carry all sorts of farm equipment -- from tractors down to Roundup, animal feeds, (work) clothing, boots and shoes (including some very sexy camo lingerie for the little lady), guns, carpenters' tools, lawn and garden tools, and what leads me to this -- hardware.   They carry three grades of bolts and nuts, sold by the pound.   I found the same thing at Tractor Supply that has been my source for same in the last dozen years, but RK is closer.

 

I was in the middle of a project and despite my 100s of thousands of pieces of hardware,  I did not have an 2.5" x 1/4" carriage bolts.   I ran in and picked up the six I needed.   Came to a grand total of  $0.16, less than 3 cents each.  I knew they were inexpensive, but until I got this small a quantity, I never realized how much cheaper than the big box home centers.

 

Unfortunately, they don't sell quality wood screws by the pound, only by the box like everyone else.

Edited June 12, 20179 yr by kmealy

We have a Tractor Supply here, too. My go to place for hardware. When I need 1 of something I don't want to buy a pack of 10!

 

 

Ace sells stuff individually. TSC is cheaper, though. But, for me it's 25 mi. farther. 

We have a Rural King. I love that store.

RK came into Lafayette, IN a number of years ago. I've been shopping there ever since...Bird seed/feed, dog/cat food, lubricants, garden tools, hardware, some tools, many automotive items including R134A Refrigerant (far cheaper than automotive stores, or Wally-World) blue jeans, overalls, belts, L&G supplies and so forth...A few times a year they offer 12% Off rebates for all purchases (I suspect they do this just to dig at Menards 11% rebate). Ours has probably one of the most robust hunting supplies, weapons, archery. ammo etc. of any store around this area. Unfortunately, it's a 35+ min drive since I retired...SOOO, I keep a small whiteboard in the garage and maintain a list.

 

We have a similar type of Farm Supply store in our county seat (Big R) which is a regional, family owned business (stores mainly in Central Illinois, Indiana, a couple now in NW Ohio. Pretty much the same product lines as RK but a little pricier on same items...For one-offs, or something I need immediately, I will go there, but hit RK about 1x month.

10 hours ago, kmealy said:

 

Unfortunately, they don't sell quality wood screws by the pound, only by the box like everyone else.

 

give this guy a call or email...

CS second to none...
on shore product..
very good prices...

Bryon Diller
Lightning Bolt, Inc
3109 N. Cascade Ave., Suite 202
Colorado Springs, Co 80907
Ph: 719-473-5054 / 888-619-0724
Fx: 719-473-5094 / 888-655-8135

bryon@boltsales.com
Nationwide Distributor of Discount Fasteners

The nearest one (Rural King) to me is still about 45-50 miles, though I wish they were closer. I don't like TSC, but I do go there for nuts/bolts because of the bulk pricing. New place opened recently nearby called Big R, which is a much smaller chain but still the same type of store (I think they call them "rural living" or something close to that).

Edited June 13, 20179 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

I like Rural King but the closest one is 32 miles away.

We do have a TSC in town that I visit occasionally. Also have a Town and Country store which is a True Value hardware.

If I want nuts,bolt or screws I usually go to Ace. 

This discussion reminds me of another source, Fastenal.   I've used them a few times.   I had to replace a 6mm x 90mm Allen-drive bolt that had sheared off.  Someone suggested the local hardware store that carried all sorts of odd fasteners, nope. Several auto parts stores, nope.  Finally walked into FASTENAL , told them what I needed, the guy looked at it and said, "Yep, how many do you need?"  Walked over to a bin on the side of the store and pulled one out of the bin.

5 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

New place opened recently nearby called Big R, which is a much smaller chain but still the same type of store

Fred, you'll find they carry pretty much the same items as RK but as I mentioned above usually a bit higher priced. Some items they just don't compete price wise with RK. However they have a very comprehensive Lawn & Garden Department and always have very competitive prices on garden & flower plants. The chain is based out of the little East Central Illinois town of Watseka. They too try to locate in former Wal-Mart buildings.

 

The matter of convenience is always worth something especially if you need it now. Here Big-R is located directly across the highway from HD and a stones throw from the ACE/Sears Home Store.

As Keith noted sometimes Fastenal is the only solution for specialized or specific type of fasteners. We're fortunate enough to have a small branch location in the same area as the other three stores. I use them all as/when needed.

The Fastenal we have doesn't want to deal with nickel/dime stuff. Sign on the front door says "minimum purchase: $10".

24 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

The Fastenal we have doesn't want to deal with nickel/dime stuff. Sign on the front door says "minimum purchase: $10".

 

seen ours stocking up at home desperate..

expensive too...

12 hours ago, Stick486 said:

 

give this guy a call or email...

CS second to none...
on shore product..
very good prices...

Bryon Diller
Lightning Bolt, Inc
3109 N. Cascade Ave., Suite 202
Colorado Springs, Co 80907
Ph: 719-473-5054 / 888-619-0724
Fx: 719-473-5094 / 888-655-8135

bryon@boltsales.com
Nationwide Distributor of Discount Fasteners

They don't appear to sell wood screws like a #8 1.25" flat head screw??

 

I've been buying those at https://www.wwhardware.com/ultimate-square-drive-flat-head-screws-8-scus8

 

Deerwood is a brand I like.   At a recent trip to the cabinet hardware supply house (Robert Bugie), I noted they had jars of screws that were priced about $10 for the jar full, regardless of size and length (bigger ones you get less on, though).   Only qualm is they have those crazy squipps drive (recex), but they do include a driver.

14 minutes ago, kmealy said:

They don't appear to sell wood screws like a #8 1.25" flat head screw??

they do...

Keith, great pricing on those #8 square drive wood screws. 

Thanks for the link.

15 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Keith, great pricing on those #8 square drive wood screws. 

Thanks for the link.

They are excellent screws too.  Big discounts when you get up to 1000 qty.  Black finish, if that matters to you.