SOAP YOUR SCREWS IN ALL YOU DO! As a young boy, I spent many a day with my dad building wooden sailboats. One of my many jobs was to walk behind him as he drilled holes.  I would then take the brass slotted wood screw that he had given me, drag it across a bar of…

Let’s say you’re building a metal gate with wood slats for side yard … or maybe just replacing the wooden slats ??? I have a lot of people come in and buy stainless carriage bolts and nuts in an effort to prevent rust stains on the wooden slats. Inevitably, one of them comes back a…

We’ve had more than a few calls with questions why the stainless self-drilling screws are magnetic.  The customers reaction is that we sold them something that wasn’t stainless. That is a reasonable misconception. So, let’s clarify!  The self-drilling screws and even some sheet metal screws are made out of 410 stainless. Here is a brief…

SELF TAPPING, SELF DRILLING, THREAD CUTTING Explaining the Confusion !! Self Tapping, Self Drilling, Thread Cutting …. So what is what ??? Self Tapping Screws work in most materials, but often can require a pilot hole.  There are 3 different types of thread and point patterns. Type A: Found on Sheet Metal (Tapping) Screws Type…

So, summer has arrived and so have trips to the lake. But the old trailer is looking a bit shabby and you really don’t want to have it completely repainted or possibly even re-powder coated. So what do you do to spruce it up ?? If touching up is the game plan, I might suggest…

Many metric automotive bolts are stamped with numbers creating a lot of confusion as to the actual grade (hardness) of the bolt. We see bolts with a 9, or a 7, perhaps even a 10 stamped in the head.  These numbers do not give us any insight as to the size or hardness of the…

Many times our customers bring us what they think is a bolt from a car that they are working on..... Unfortunately, often these aren't standard bolts. They are more like a part that the automaker has designed for a specific purpose. So, don't be surprised if we suggest going back to the dealer or to a junkyard!

I am often asked about hole saws and what will they cut ? Are they any good? How long do they last? Here's what you need to know! We carry a high quality Industrial Bi-Metal Cobalt Hole Saw. The high speed cobalt teeth are electron beam welded to a steel body.  It is this process that enables…

We are often asked to make a recommendation in regard to what size chain to use for a job. That is a very hard question to answer from our side of the counter, and really should be looked at thru a designer/engineering pair of eyes. There are many factors and abuses that will lessen the…