Fasteners!

[Simon Peck]

Just wondering, what storage and inventory solutions are people using for all the different fasteners supplied with the kits? I’m currently just sifting through the little bags supplied and sometimes it can take an age to find what I want. It’d be interesting to see what others are doing?

[Steve Stuart]

I use small really useful boxes to put the small bags in so there will be labels on them along the lines of 3mm nuts, 3mm socket head, 3mm countersunk, 3mm Misc. Given that the bolts etc range typically from 2.5mm through 3mm, 4mm and a smattering of 5 and 6mm it doesn't mean there are too many and they can either sit in drawer or on convenient shelves, stacked up. So organisation is maintained.
Ideal stocking fillers!
Steve

[michael hilton]

Hello Simon, I use these small boxes and re-label/re-bag all the fasteners as the build progresses...Mick

[Simon Peck]

Thanks for the replies.
I want to organise a tray/drawer for each type, as I find I can runout easily when they aren’t organised separately, as I can’t then easily gauge how many of each are left. Just there’s so many different types there would need to be an awful lot on individual trays or drawers. Does anyone know where I can get a storage unit with a multitude of small (fastener) size compartments?
Also, where to get replacement/additional fasteners?
Thanks again and Happy New Year.

[Stephen White]

Simon,

Try Raaco for storage of fasteners. I use one of their Handybox stacking systems:

http://www.tradesystems.co.uk/raaco-com ... boxes.html

Beauty is ability to buy blank boxes and select trays to fit your sizes. They also have inserts for labelling. If four trays isn’t enough, you can attach a second frame on top. I have one for metric and one for BA.

Sources of fasteners:

Most popular in UK are EKP. Note minimum order £10. They’re excellent and fast.

https://www.ekpsupplies.com/index.php

A huge range here, from Knupfer in Germany:

https://knupfer.info/shop/

For bulk buys of metric, I use Westfield Fasteners

https://www.westfieldfasteners.co.uk/A2 ... Rfull.html

Finally another reliable source:

https://maccmodels.co.uk

There are others I’m sure but these have all been excellent.

Stephen

[Simon Peck]

Hi Stephen,

Superb, that’s what I was looking for! Thank you.

Best regards and Happy New Year,

Simon

[Stephen White]

I mentioned the RAACO storage system being ideal for sorting and storing fasteners. I've just thrown away an old and treasured Dymo labeller and got a cheap 21st century machine. Got a bit carried away with how easy it is to use..... Great advantage of the RAACO boxes is being able to move and change the trays to suit the sizes needed. You can also get extra trays ridiculously cheaply.

Stephen

[Simon Peck]

Nice Stephen, I like it!

While on my quest for a source of fasteners, I came across this company:

http://www.tightenup.co.uk/contact.html

They’ve been superb, anything I’ve asked for, they provided. Sizes, material, you name it. They’ll courier, mail, reverse pick-up, or you can drop round for a cup of tea, if they’re not busy. Just off Twickenham Green, almost next door to the guy who designed and makes the original Star Wars Storm Trooper costumes, who’s also usually up for a chat.

[Robert Reid]

For the benefit of members not in the UK...

Don't bother with EKP supplies.

I spent over an hour yesterday putting together an order of BA fasteners (and a few tools) totalling more than L475. Their 'online' ordering system didn't allow me to order from the U.S. So, no problem, I thought. I'll put it in an e-mail. Spent another 20 minutes transferring the order into e-mail.

This morning, they sent me a note saying "We don't ship outside the UK."

I wrote back nicely and asked that they might re-consider, what with the time I spent on their site and the size of the order. I know they will have to fill out a customs form and all... which takes 5 minutes. I do it all the time. And that I was fine with shipping costs that might be as much as L50 or more!

Their blunt reply was "No Exceptions."

I can see the practice being reasonable for someone ordering a 5 pound bag of nuts. But for an order that is almost L500... one would think they could make an exception. I know I would!

So I'll try one of the other fastener suppliers, but will make sure, first, that they want business from us colonials.

Cheers,

Sirhr

[Robert Reid]

MANY thanks to Kian for offering to receive the fasteners in the UK and forward them on to me! This is what community is all about!

That said I had them shipped to one of my UK Parts suppliers who is sending them on in the same crate with a cylinder head. So all is good!

If American customers do have a need, the company WILL accept a U.S.-address credit card and ship to a UK address. So all someone needs is a friend in the UK and they are fine.

Anyway, thanks Kian! And thanks EGK... for a measure of flexibility.

Cheers,

RPR

[Greg Stephens]

Stephen,
I ordered a set of the RAACO storage boxes and am deeply impressed. They should be an Armortek add an on for US customers. I was stunned by how much they would hold.

It would be lovely if we had a master list of fastener upgrades for each tank model and a supplier. I spend hours trying to research and source more accurate fasteners.

[Pete Nash]

I use these for my fastener storage

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MULTI-STORAG ... 5893c:m:mc

As Armortek usually give more fasteners than are necessary you will end up with a fair number of these 'storage units'.
When I get a new model I unpack all the fasteners and put them in their tray, and get new units if required. After all, an M3 X 8 hex ndoesn't care which tank it goes into.

For Parts I use larger Bins, one for up to 100
another for 100 to 200
another for 200 to 300 and so on

If I have large number of packets in one range, I use two or more boxes, i.e. one box for 200-225, another for 226-250 etc.
So if an assembly requires part CL00222I go to the 200 box and look through that, rather than a big pile of parts bags.

happy sorting

pete