metric hardware, We need to get our heads out of our butts... Options

[VaccaRabite]

Nearly everything that I own uses metric hardware.
It is rare that I come across stuff using Standard.
Not just cars. But guns, toys, electronics, hunting blinds, my ATV, work out equipment.
Basically everything I own.

So, WHY THE F*&K is it such a F*&KING CHORE to find metric hardware and tools.

My hardware stores with the good metric selection - gone. Owner Retired. Every other hardware store in the area, tractor supply, whatever. Screw them. They have maybe a drawer with a very limited and usually SOLD OUT selection. Fastenall? Yeah they don't service walk in any more. Have to call and order and get it delivered a day or so later even though they are just up the road.

Why are we so DAMN BACKWARDS in this country. There is more stuff using metric then "standard." So why can't metric get equal space?

I want to support local stores. But what's the point if you can't find the stuff that you need. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bs.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sheeplove.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif)

[VaccaRabite]

What gets me is that Tractor Supply (which has the best metric selection of the local stores - and its still DISMAL) has such a wimpy metric selection.

What tractor built today uses SAE hardware? Any of them? Any in the past 10 years? All metric. Even John Deere. Metric is standard throughout the agriculture industry.

So you would figure TRACTOR SUPPLY would have pretty vast metric hardware selection? Nope. A couple bins, almost everything sold out. And a sea of untouched SAE hardware.

There is even metric on AMERICAN MADE CARS. Ford. Chevy. Metric.

We don't need 2 rows of "standard" nuts and bolts in every damn flavor. WE NEED METRIC FASTENERS.

Zach

[Superhawk996]

What gets me is that Tractor Supply (which has the best metric selection of the local stores - and its still DISMAL) has such a wimpy metric selection.

What tractor built today uses SAE hardware? Any of them? Any in the past 10 years? All metric. Even John Deere. Metric is standard throughout the agriculture industry.

So you would figure TRACTOR SUPPLY would have pretty vast metric hardware selection? Nope. A couple bins, almost everything sold out. And a sea of untouched SAE hardware.

There is even metric on AMERICAN MADE CARS. Ford. Chevy. Metric.

We don't need 2 rows of "standard" nuts and bolts in every damn flavor. WE NEED METRIC FASTENERS.

Zach

Get off my lawn (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

I hear what you are saying but Tractor Supply isn’t setup to be supporting the latest and greatest tractors. They largely support “vintage” stuff and hobbyist suburban wannabe “farms”. And for the record, if you think finding metric is bad, try owning a Brit car or bike and trying to find Whitworth or British Standard Fine thread fasteners. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I don’t have a good solution for you other than do what I’ve had to do: Set up your own metric nut and bolt supply using a place like Belmetric to stock it with quality hardware.

In the end, it’s far cheaper to buy a quantity of 10 of something from Belmetric vs paying 4x the Belmetric cost for just one hardware store fastener of dubious origin. I fully stocked my fastener racks about two years ago for around $100.

Find a few of these sliding drawer storage bins if you want to get organized - McMaster, MSC, and quite a few other places to get these from. I have a coupe really nice big ones from Griots Garage the wife got me for Christmas about a decade ago. I also bought about 8 of those sliding drawer cabinets that Radio Shack used to have for electronic components. They were like $100 per set of cabinets when the store was liquidated and all fixture sold. I later sold 4 of them on Craigslist list at $200 each so I got the 4 I kept for free. Be creative!