I had the forethought to store these up over the years and now it’s paying off. (Page 1/1)
Kitskaboodle DEC 23, 08:21 PM
What am I talking about? And, why bring this up?
Well, I’m bringing this up because I’m quite proud of myself that for the last 30+ years I have been fastidiously storing up hardware. (nuts, bolts, screws, washers, fasteners, electrical connectors, etc.)

The thing is, most of it I got very cheap or free. A lot of it I got at various companies I worked at over the years. (like when they scrap hardware I would go through it and take what I wanted) Some of it I got at garage sales, some in boxes that people would put out in the street, some of it off of cars at junk yards, etc. Maybe to some people they wouldn’t care nor be impressed about all this but for the “DIY” guy/handyman, this stuff is quite helpful and valuable to have around! I cannot begin to tell you how many times I was able to find just the right hardware item I needed. The savings in NOT having to make extra trips to Home Depot, local junk yards, etc is worth it all.
And finally, every time I go to a hardware store like Ace, Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc and see how much they charge for a little bag of screws, washers, etc. I pat myself on the back for having the forethought to save hardware all through the years!! 😊
Kit

[This message has been edited by Kitskaboodle (edited 12-23-2023).]

Patrick DEC 23, 08:38 PM
Sounds like you and I have the same hoarding issue valuable foresight.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 12-23-2023).]

Cliff Pennock DEC 24, 05:27 AM
"Back in the good ol' days", I used to buy screws, nuts, bolts, washers etc in small cardboard boxes in quantities of 100, 200 or 500 pieces. That would cost a few dollars. Nowadays, they are packaged in small plastic boxes of quantities of 5 or 10 - but still cost a few dollars.
fieroguru DEC 24, 08:58 AM
I saved, organized, and stored all the bolts/screws/clips and other hardware from about 5+ fieros I parted out, which has paid dividends over the years.
cliffw DEC 24, 09:49 AM

quote
Originally posted by Kitskaboodle:
... I have been fastidiously storing up hardware. (nuts, bolts, screws, washers, fasteners, electrical connectors, etc.)

Maybe to some people they wouldn’t care nor be impressed about all this but for the “DIY” guy/handyman, this stuff is quite helpful and valuable to have around! I cannot begin to tell you how many times I was able to find just the right hardware item I needed. The savings in NOT having to make extra trips to Home Depot, local junk yards, etc is worth it all.



I have done that for most of my life. I use to live, and still have a place in Bandera TX. Actually about 25 miles outside. Bandera only has one hardware store. To go get some hardware is a 50 mile round trip (+time). All of my neighbors would stop by my place before they made the trip.

One does need an excellent separating and organized storage system.
blackrams DEC 24, 09:56 AM

quote
Originally posted by fieroguru:

I saved, organized, and stored all the bolts/screws/clips and other hardware from about 5+ fieros I parted out, which has paid dividends over the years.



Knowing this gentleman and having seen his garage/shop (in the past), I can honestly state I've never seen an individual or a business so organized and have exactly what you need and he knows where it's at.
He's also one of the most talented and knowledgeable Fiero friends I've ever known. Proud to call him friend. Merry Christmas.

------------------
Rams
Learning most of life's lessons the hard way. .
You are only young once but, you can be immature indefinitely.

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 12-24-2023).]

Patrick DEC 24, 12:11 PM

quote
Originally posted by fieroguru:

I saved, organized, and stored all the bolts/screws/clips and other hardware...



My saved and stored hardware is somewhat lacking in the "organized" department.
Jonesy DEC 26, 09:56 AM
I happen to work in a hardware store, and have for the past 15 years. We have a very large fastener selection. We also sell them individually, or in bulk. Need just a single 5/16 lock nut, you can buy one. We also sell screws individually or in bulk by the pound.

Before Covid, you could buy a pound of coated decking screws for $3.00. Now its $8.00 per pound, and $10.00 a pound for screws 4 inches or longer.

I can promise you, as i do the ordering for those types of things, the store isn't making record profits on screws and bolts, our profit margin's on them are about the same as they where before covid, its what he have to pay now just to get them into the store. Manufacturers are price gouging like crazy, still claiming shortages.

The prices now change so often, our pricing stickers on merchandise are wrong a few days after we get them. Prices keep going up little by little, and the only excuse is "shortages". Which is in my opinion, complete B.S. Companies are doing it because right now, they can get away with it.