Just throwing a little gas on todays useless thread fire. Why is it you can't go to a home improvement store and buy 7/16 bolts?
Don't know why they have them at my local Ace hardware. You usually have to buy them from a supplier and they are not a commonly used bolt except in the mechanical industry but they are not just a car bolt, they get used on all sorts of machinery.
OK, you win the prize for today's most useless thread- happy? If you can't find 7/16 bolts, you probably can't find your feet, either. Really? Are you that bored, or starved for attention?
the Lowes around here have a good selection of bolts and good prices---but the local fastener co, gives bolts to car guys---individuals not shops...
"Why is 7/16 an "automotive" size only?" Uh...I don't know....maybe because very few other things use them???? Mart3406 ("who once sold a single 7/16 'head' bolt to a 'Dr. Frankenstein' who as it turned out, wanted it for a very and most definitely 'non-automotive' application!") ================== [/I]
Out here in Calif., a store clerk said, Orchard Supply HQ determines which fasteners the store sells.
Big box stores never have intermediate sizes like 7/16 or 9/16, or a good fine thread and grade 8 selection. Find an actual fastener store, or even try a smaller chain hardware store like Ace or True Value.
fixed my girlfriends washing machine today, the agitator was held on with a 7/16 bolt. I suspect as time goes on we will all have a harder time finding less common sae bolts as more and more things are metric. Just like the parts that fit our cars are no longer in stock items at your local parts store, they have been replaced by more mainstream items- like fart cans and neon lights.
There are a couple around here that do the same thing as long as you are not getting them by the bushel basket. Or local Lowes has a wierd selection, they are all baged up in assortments so if you need 5 of something you usually have to buy a couple of bags. Hey whil we are on the useless discussion thing, my show size has gone up in the last few years. Why do you suppose that is?
As the jingle goes "Ace is the place" holds true in my neck of the woods, I when I was building the Ranch Wagon I bought my stainless steel nut & bolts by the box,,7/16" was never a problem. HRP
I buy some stainless when I only need one or two of something at either Ace or a marine supply. More I run to a local fastener shop
Dane, 1st thought is this is a worthless thread. then i look at your avatar and wish you would post more. i lived in dallas texas, they sold bolts 1 in a pakage!! you took what they had because they didn't have shit! i'm back in iowa we buy bolts by the pound, pour them on a scale out of box's, any size or shape you want!!!!