Thread: good fasteners for any one ???

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If I'm using a bolt that is load bearing or might have a bearing on safety - it does not come from TSC (99% Chinese made) Lowe's or Home Depot. I'll occasionally use one of their Gr8's in place of a Gr5, and their Gr5's in place of the CS Gr2's.

Most of what I use are ARP(engine, for sure) McMaster-Carr or Fastenal - but even some of them are starting to be made off shore. With McMaster-Carr, you can order bolts based on the spec needed and is spelled out on-line. My experience with Fastenal is less because their local store is inconvenient and I find their on-line catalog not as easy to navigate.

All good points and I would offer the following;

1) It matters whether the bolt threads are lubricated or dry when torqueing.

2) It also matters whether the bolt threads are brand new or worn in a tad.

3) Even with name brand bolts it is possible to get a bad one on occasion.

Not all bolt applications require clamping to 90% proof load so sometimes it is hard to find a bad one. If you are clamping to 90% proof load than 1 and 2 above are critical.

Kitz