Metric Hardware

[Tedd]

I'm in Canada and I have a Polish-built boat that I sometimes have trouble finding metric hardware for. Does anyone have any suggestions where to look? Any business in the U.S. can usually ship to Canada or, if not, I'm just across the border so I can have it shipped to a receiver in the U.S. and bring it across the border myself.

I'm currently looking for a particular metric, stainless steel clevis pin. I've tried the usual marine supply places, plus McMaster-Carr and every other U.S. and Canadian source I can find, and none have the specific pin I'm looking for. But I expect this will be an ongoing problem so I'm not actually looking for help with this specific part, but rather suggestions for metric hardware, in general. A UK or European source that can ship to Canada or the U.S. would be fine.

[Luvboats]

I feel your pain……..many times over as I have a boat built in England with a variety of BSPP/BSPT style fittings, Yanmar engines with metric fittings, and many U.S. upgrades/changes/retrofits with a variety of domestic fasteners and NPTS/NPTT fittings as well a smattering of various hydraulic fittings since the steering system was British built and the autopilot pump was installed here in the states. As such I am frequently hunting for different flavors, sizes, shapes, and makes of fittings/fasteners. I have found both Tacoma Screw as well as Fastenal to be fairly good but I have also had to order some parts from Europe, and pay high shipping costs, to get some of the more rare items. I have also found that if you are looking for 316 stainless that the Tacoma Screw located in south Seattle has a larger on hand supply as they frequently supply the maritime industry in the area. Although for you, since you would be, I assume, shipping items, it probably doesn’t make much difference. This is probably more information than you either want or need but perhaps it will help you or others in predicaments like ours. Happy Holidays!!!

[Tedd]

Originally Posted by Luvboats

This is probably more information than you either want or need...

Not at all! I appreciate the help. I had forgotten about Fastenal and I didn't know about Tacoma Screw. I'll add them both to my bookmarks.

[Tedd]

Originally Posted by Luvboats

I have a boat built in England with a variety of BSPP/BSPT style fittings, Yanmar engines with metric fittings, and many U.S. upgrades/changes/retrofits with a variety of domestic fasteners and NPTS/NPTT fittings as well a smattering of various hydraulic fittings since the steering system was British built and the autopilot pump was installed here in the states.

I was involved in car racing for many years and I've found that motorsport suppliers, such as Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies, can be a good source of metric or British fittings and fasteners. Many (most?) formula racing cars in the U.S. and Canada are built in the UK, and vintage racing remains popular, so suppliers like Pegasus sometimes even have fittings that are obsolete for their original purpose.

[Luvboats]

Thanks for the suggestion and link. I will bookmark Pegasus and contact them next time I am in search of fittings and fasteners. I will also forward it to my father in law as he is an MG enthusiast and restores them as a hobby. Although I am betting he is already well aware of them.
Thanks again!!

[markxengineerin]

Misumi is good for metric

[Tedd]

Originally Posted by markxengineerin

Misumi is good for metric

Excellent suggestion, I'd forgotten all about Misumi. Thanks.

[Pete7]

Ted, you might try Baseline Marine in the UK for widgets etc:

They are just down the road from me so I just pop in, but from their website they do ship abroad. If they haven't got it on their website, ask to see if they can supply. Super helpful people.


Pete

https://www.baselinemarine.com/shopc...and%20Delivery

[nmuir]

You can also try Pacific Fasteners. They are local in Vancouver. I have had good luck getting stainless and obscure metric fasteners.



https://www.pacfast.com/

[MicHughV]

Why the USA has not gone metric defies explanation.

Nonetheless, the internet is your friend, as there are a variety of websites, listing metric suppliers in the USA, far too many to post here, that can provide you with anything you want.

[smac999]

Originally Posted by nmuir

You can also try Pacific Fasteners. They are local in Vancouver. I have had good luck getting stainless and obscure metric fasteners.



https://www.pacfast.com/

This is where I get my stainless bolts / screws etc from. I don’t know about pins and Other stuff.

It’s a wharehouse but You can buy at the door.

[ggray]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

Why the USA has not gone metric defies explanation. <Snip>

Perhaps the US will convert someday, but there is so much machinery, equipment, tools, parts, everything using the fractional system, all of which would have to change, or continue to be dealt with as different. If we were a small economy it would be more necessary, but we aren't.

But I find it interesting that there are...concessions to the other system, both ways. It's my understanding that US automobiles have all used metric threads since the beginning of the automobile for spark plugs, because back then, all spark plugs were made in Europe. And I may be wrong, but aren't all ratchet sets 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" etc? Standard sizes as I think the ratchet/ socket was invented by Snap-on.

[MicHughV]

I can understand why the USA has not gone metric, but as someone that went thru' the transition it was relatively easy and straightforward and a million times easier to understand.
It was a real bear to go back from metric back to imperial

[Macdoug]

Originally Posted by ggray

Perhaps the US will convert someday, but there is so much machinery, equipment, tools, parts, everything using the fractional system, all of which would have to change, or continue to be dealt with as different. If we were a small economy it would be more necessary, but we aren't.



But I find it interesting that there are...concessions to the other system, both ways. It's my understanding that US automobiles have all used metric threads since the beginning of the automobile for spark plugs, because back then, all spark plugs were made in Europe. And I may be wrong, but aren't all ratchet sets 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" etc? Standard sizes as I think the ratchet/ socket was invented by Snap-on.

Snap-on would love you to believe that. Sockets where invented centuries ago, and combined with ratchets about 60 years before snap-on started.

P.s. the quicker imperial dies the better. Metric is so much easier.

[mvweebles]

McMaster Carr has a good selection of metric fasteners in 304 and 316 stainless. Not sure they deliver to Canada though. Prices are okay, service is fast.