Anyone use other than cap/phillips screws in builds?

[Thorsteenster]

I was ordering a couple bits from McMaster and got to looking through their hardware and ended up ordering 50 stainless 3mm X 20mm hex head screws, washers, and locknuts. I got the 20mm ones because they are fully threaded so I can cut to length.
I don't know how big the hex is, but the "mini bolts" ought to look pretty cool.
Anybody else used these before?

Typically I order screws and nuts from http://www.microfasteners.com but they only have the hex head screws in SAE sizes.

[CatdrvR]

Hey Thor,

I have used microfasteners.com before. I have ordered from them twice. The first time I basically ordered one package of every micro brass hex size with the accompanying nuts. The second time I ordered, refilled some of my depleted bolts and bought the small nut drivers specifically made for them since they are tiny little buggers. I have been using the bolts for my Tamiya tractor truck build and so far, it is looking killer. What did you have in mind for these?

Dan

[Thorsteenster]

Well I found MicroFasteners a few years ago, and ever since have really wanted to use the hex heads on something but not being metric I didn't want to have to worry about threading issues.
I'll be using them for building my Volvo'ish truck. My screw box is pretty scarce so I needed to replenish anyway to hold it together once I get going.
I'll use the M3 for main assembly, then get a better idea of needs and order some smaller sizes from MicroFasteners. I'd like to have all the fasteners "nuts and bolts".

[tc1cat]

You might want to try www.fastener-express.com for metric and SAE nuts and bolts. They have a very large range of sizes and types of materials used. Prices are not too bad either.

[steamer]

Thor. I've used a company in Florida for small hex bolts for my steam engine. They are American Model Enginer Supply. Quite a slection of sizes, both steel and brass. Rob
http://www.americanmodeleng.com/id41.html

[SonoranWraith]

I use brass M3 hex heads, though I bought overseas. Really low head height of only 1.7mm. Some of the 3mm stuff I have seen still has a bulky head height. I also have 2mm acorn nuts for my wheels because I don't like the socket cap screws. I still use stock screws for stuff that doesn't show.

Pic is a little dark:

[Espeefan]

Thor, I use stainless steel socket head cap screws exclusively on all of my builds. I hate the look of phillips screw heads, and worse, the way they tend to round out so easily. I've got a huge stock pile of 2mm, 3mm, some 2.5mm, and some 4mm socket head cap screws. I will never build a model with the provided hardware. I never have. To me, socket head cap screws look so much nicer, even if they still aren't scale. I get everything from McMaster.

[Thorsteenster]

Thanks for the replies guys, glad I ordered the hardware. I'm sure it'll look great!

[Thorsteenster]

Well I got them today, and I must say initial impression is they look pretty darn good. The head size is the same as a regular Tamiya 3mm nut.


Oh yeah, they're Italian too!