Dumb question:

I've recently needed to buy what I thought should be readily available screws:

1. 6-32 3/8" flat head in torx or hex
2. 4-40 1 3/8" partial threaded in torx or hex

Can't seem to find them (online at least) at HD, Lowes, Ace. And hard to find online in general. McMaster has them. But these screws that are used with gun accessories - are they really so rare that only McMaster has them? Is there a chain store that carries this kind of stuff? Is there no other common choice for accessories - screws you can just buy at HD/Lowes?

Check a hobby store. 4-40 is common for a lot of R/C stuff.

HobbyTown 4-40 screws

Nice!! They seem to have what i need.

Not in my area but seems like one in an area i go to about monthly. Not bad. I’ll check out local hobby stores though.

If your local hobby store doesn't have what you're looking for, McFeely's is worth a look.

Perhaps the good folks at Brownell’s would have them.

McMaster Carr should have everything you need. Affordable shipping and it’s usually next day.

Do you have a Fastenal??
They are my go to around here.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
McMaster Carr should have everything you need. Affordable shipping and it’s usually next day.

+1 on MMC, I use them often.

Boltdot.com is another great resource.

I've gotten some hard to find stuff at Fastenal and boltdepot.com.

Ace hardware sometimes has gunsmithing screws as well. You have to ask to see them as they don't keep them out in the regular aisle so peeople don't pick them up and then return them when they don't work.

Second for Fastenal. They seem to have a location everywhere.

quote:

Originally posted by FiveFiveSixFan:
If your local hobby store doesn't have what you're looking for, McFeely's is worth a look.

Same here, indeed a great resource, I use them for all my screw needs

What is available in hobby shops is typically Philips Head screws. For Socket Head screws the source to use is an Industrial Fastener supplier, which do usually sell to the public with a minimum order of about 10 dollars. An online and somewhat higher priced alternative is either MSC Industrial Supply or McMaster Carr. If you need specialty threads such as #6-48 you'll do best shopping at Brownell's and accepting whatever drive is available in the thread you need.

Those sizes will be hard to find, especially a quality version. Drilling out a broken or striped Chi-Com Allen screw of a tiny size in a high dollar item isn't for the casual home gunsmith.
Best bet will be one of the better industrial supply houses mentioned or locate from the manufacturer that meets your spec's and then track to one of their dealers.
Holo-Krome or Unbrako would be the kind of brands I'd look for.

Thanks. Im not really familiar with industrial suppliers so not sure if i have any locally. I want something local so that i can physically confirm what I’m buying works. Sometimes i don’t know what fastener i need. Or want to change from torx to hex. And then buy a minimum. I don’t want to buy 100 screws each time i only need 1; and not even sure I’m buying the right one.

I didn’t even know what 6-32 meant until a few days ago. . Will definitely keep McMaster and suggestions above in mind for online.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:

Holo-Krome or Unbrako would be the kind of brands I'd look for.

Thanks for the brand names. That's very valuable.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Thanks. Im not really familiar with industrial suppliers so not sure if i have any locally. I want something local so that i can physically confirm what I’m buying works. Sometimes i don’t know what fastener i need. Or want to change from torx to hex. And then buy a minimum. I don’t want to buy 100 screws each time i only need 1; and not even sure I’m buying the right one.

I didn’t even know what 6-32 meant until a few days ago. . Will definitely keep McMaster and suggestions above in mind for online.

https://www.fastenal.com/

See if you have one local. They are great to work with here.
They’ll tear open a bag and sell you one if that is all you need.
If I need a fastener that is where I go. Beats digging through all the drawers and bins on my own then half the time getting the wrong one because some douche magoo just tossed the wrong bolt in the drawer.

I just walk in give them what I am looking for and they go grab it.
Or I give them some sort of nontechnical jacked up description of what I need and they figure it out.

Was just in there the other day and got a few things for my dash mount I might get to install someday.

Found a local fastenal. Thanks!

An escort service? Sorry, junior high moment.

quote:

Originally posted by FiveFiveSixFan:
If your local hobby store doesn't have what you're looking for, McFeely's is worth a look.

Always default to McFeeley's. They stock virtually everything you could want or need.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Im not really familiar with industrial suppliers so not sure if i have any locally. I want something local so that i can physically confirm what I’m buying works.

Our area has a high number of industrial suppliers because of the large number of manufacturers...previous and current...that are located here.

Because they supply the industry as opposed to the general public, their business is mostly word-of-mouth