Grainger Supply

[Noeland]

I haven't seen this particular company ever recommended here, so I figured I'd throw it out there.

I bought some flat copper from them to finish a steampunk build (I'll be posting pictures of it by the weekend now that I have what I need) and the service was top notch, the prices are fair, and they got the materials in very quickly and notified me right away.

http://www.grainger.com

I went down to the closest store near me, and I was in there for 5 minutes. I gave them my office phone number and I had the copper in my hand within a minute or two.

They will ship to you directly though too if that's what you want.

They carry EVERYTHING. If you've ever seen their catalog it's twice the size of your average phone book.

The cap screws we prop guys covet, they carry every variety and then some. I ordered some botton cap screws for a couple Blade Runner blasters.

Anything from coffee makers to metal shelving. You name it, they carry it.

Anyway, just wanted to sing their praises as an alternative to Home Depot and Lowes.

The catch is, you have to register an account with them to order from them, but it's no hassle to do that either. I was lucky enough that my company already had an account.

Mostly for me, it's a source to get a variety of cap screws and copper, niether of which do my local home depots carry.

I'm sure I'll find more items and materials I'll need though.

 

[asavage]

I've been shopping at Grainger for 20 years. Their ability to get nearly anything within a day is impressive. Plus, in many cities, they're effectively open 24/7. They close at 5, but if you ABSOLUTELY have to have something, AND you have an account, they'll open the store you need for a 50.00 fee. Pretty impressive when you're pulling an all nighter and need some oil infused bronze bushings.

I haven't seen this particular company ever recommended here, so I figured I'd throw it out there.

I bought some flat copper from them to finish a steampunk build (I'll be posting pictures of it by the weekend now that I have what I need) and the service was top notch, the prices are fair, and they got the materials in very quickly and notified me right away.

http://www.grainger.com

I went down to the closest store near me, and I was in there for 5 minutes. I gave them my office phone number and I had the copper in my hand within a minute or two.

They will ship to you directly though too if that's what you want.

They carry EVERYTHING. If you've ever seen their catalog it's twice the size of your average phone book.

The cap screws we prop guys covet, they carry every variety and then some. I ordered some botton cap screws for a couple Blade Runner blasters.

Anything from coffee makers to metal shelving. You name it, they carry it.

Anyway, just wanted to sing their praises as an alternative to Home Depot and Lowes.

The catch is, you have to register an account with them to order from them, but it's no hassle to do that either. I was lucky enough that my company already had an account.

Mostly for me, it's a source to get a variety of cap screws and copper, niether of which do my local home depots carry.

I'm sure I'll find more items and materials I'll need though.

 

[Noeland]

Wow, had no idea they'd do that. Try getting home depot to open up for you at 3am with $50.

Dang, that's incredible.

Thanks Adam, now I love them that much more.

 

[TheGreenMachine]

Also don't forget McMaster-Carr:
http://www.mcmaster.com/

They are primarily an online store (they have a brick and mortar store in NJ but I think that is only for pick-up). I generally order from them because they carry a broader selection of what I'm into than Grainger and the pricing tends to be a bit better. Also since I'm local-ish (in Merryland) I get orders next day with just the basic FedEx or UPS ground service.

But as you've said, Grainger has locations all over and you can walk in and look around. Try it and I'm sure you'll see stuff you have to have that you never thought you would need.

Give these guys catalogs a look and realize how truely abysmal places like Lowes and the HomeDespot are. Well that might be a little unfair, but they really do have a fairly limited scope.

- TGM

 

[Noeland]

I wasn't trying to bash on Home Depot and Lowes. Well, maybe Home Depot.

I actually like Lowes, but I know lots of other members are fed up with them, so, I thought it might be worth it to share some other options.

The service I recieved from Granger was second to none, so I wanted to share that experience.

I've never used Mcmaster-Carr, didn't even know about them. Thanks for the link, I'll peruse the catalog.

Any other members use them and want to share the experience?

 

[TKMANDO]

I detest Home Crappo, I mean Depot. I've never in my life been treated so poorly by the same company on multiple occasions, and who knew that returns close at 9pm when the store stays open to 11pm.

Turns out there is a Grainger near my place. I will go there next time! Lowe's is no where near me...

Thanks for the info!

 

[Mattastic13]

We use Grainger here at work and love them. Although I wonder how many trees they use sending out those massive catalogs.

 

[TheGreenMachine]

Hey, HomeDespot is great for a lot of things. You know like when I'm looking for lightbulbs or a big pack of batteries. Maybe some lumber or sandpaper.

But you know if I want something a little special like maybe a non wood screw with a phillips instead of slotted head you apparently need to go someplace else.:rolleyes

They finally built a Loews near me and I definitely enjoy the freedom of being able to hit up both them and HomeDespot for household type DIY items. But I know both failed when I was trying to find a set of calipers a few weeks ago. Employees in both looked at me like a wild animal that wandered in when I asked after them. I finally ended up ordering a nice dial caliper from McMaster-Carr.

Whenever I have a project to complete I'll generally pick up enough hardware/fasteners at HomeDespot to prototype the item and once my POC is done I'll place a full order for hardware/fasteners from a real store like McMaster.

- TGM

 

[AlHazred]

I have used Grainger for at least 9 years. Their customer service is excellent, which is why I still use them. I can find most material anywhere, but good people are irreplaceable.

And their catalog makes an excellent barrier if a wall of your house falls down, or you need to stop a lava flow from running down the street.

 

[Paradox]

I remember flipping through the Grainger catalogs as a kid since my had had them all over the place for his business (HVAC/R). When I worked for him for a few years, I absolutely LOVED going on parts runs to Grainger. He always sent me down there when there wasn't a lot going on that I needed to be back immediately for.... hmmm... coincidence? HA HA!

I've suggested Grainger options around here a few times when people have been looking for found-parts. The links never seem to get much attention though for some reason. Maybe I'm just on a large number of ignore lists. *shrug*

-G

 

[Fetthunter]

Though we have 2 Graingers in town (a warehouse and a walk-in store), I've never bought from them because I don't have an account. The last place that I was doing contract EE work for was a test engineering shop. They made test equipment for automotive OEMs and such, and they used McMaster-Carr for hardware. Never had a problem with McMaster-Carr, and would recommend them also. thumbsup

 

[CMANavy]

I worked for them one summer, a whole lot of stuff to be found there. If there was ever a huge disater or the famed "TSHTF" thing, I would head to the closest Grainger, they have everything you would need for a long, long, time. Well except, food and ammo, but anyting els you can think of you could find/build there.

 

[stormtrooperguy]

wow, i drive by a grainger every day on the way to work and had no idea what it was.

i'll have to stop in!!!

 

[acerocket]

Grainger and McMaster-Carr. The two must have catalogs for anybody who builds anything. I have used both for years. Mcmaster in Los Angeles is huge - and they are adding on to it. I believe they advertise 465,000 items, 98% ship from stock. Not bad considering the catalog is like 3600 pages. But it is darn near impossible to get a catalog from them. The Grainger catalog is equally impressive at nearly 4000 pages.

Another great catalog to have is the MSC Big Book. It's another 500,000 product catalog loaded with all kinds of goodies (it's more geared to manufacturing/industrial supplies).

 

[RBJ]

I'm a Mc Master Carr fan myself..thier website rules...and don't forget Aliied Elcetronics too! ANH Vader belt box green lights in stock!

 

[Great_Bizarro]

I used to be purchasing agent for a company and Granger was A#1 on my list of suppliers. The more you buy from them the better your pricing. If they don't have it they will get it for you.