Proof that sometimes its better to "write the check"

[jholmgren]

Picked up a few things for my VMC44 refurb from FunTronics this week.   I noticed they sell a stainless steel fastener kit. 

It's not cheap... and I can be...but I was thinking of the multiple trips to the hardware store for the various fasteners and how much my time is worth, so I pulled the trigger on it.

I expected a decent collection of stainless nuts, bolts and screws... what I got was all that - PLUS each individual set of hardware is bagged and labeled separately in its own little baggie.  It's like Christmas!   Screws for evap fan motor mounts... oh, that's in bag #31 thank you very much.  Screws to hold the bracket for the drain tube... let's see... bag #19, excellent.  Sold Out flag mounting screws... bag #23.   

This is going to be a HUGE time saver for me.  I have a decent collection of hardware in the garage but always seem to have 1 less of something than I need.

So Rod and Janet - huge thanks for this! It must take someone quite a while to assemble the 40+ individual little baggies of hardware for these kits.  Hopefully you have neighborhood kids or interns or something doing this work.   

Well worth the cost IMO.

Jim


 

[Slapshot42]

I've used the 81 kits before and was pleased with results!

[mygoose101]

Luv Stainless!!! All you need to do now is hand polish each one and you're set.

[BrianS]

I've used that screw kit myself and have to concur.  The fact that they are all indexed is great but its also great knowing you have the right size and the right quantity for each screw.  Saves numerous trips to the store.  Well worth the price.

[GreenMo]

I looked up the price of the screw kit - it's very reasonable.   I see it as a time saver as I've often have spent and entire morning searching for that one elusive fastener.

[Slapshot42]

I have also noticed at the hardware stores don't always have the right lengths.  I made th mistake of cutting down a screw and the it still being too long and causing damage to the piece I'm trying to install! ! !

[MoonDawg]

    I didn't even know Funtronics offered these kits. 

         As a restorer myself here is a list of the machine hardware I need to keep in stock to avoid interruptions:
         Sheet metal screws # 6, 8 and 10, each in 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4" lengths.
         Machine screws # 6, 8 & 10, also each in 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4" lengths.
         Truss head screws # 6, 8 & 10
         Counter sunk screws # 6, 8 & 10.
         Hex bolts # 1/4", 5/16", 3/8".
         Nuts and washers for all size threads.
         Carriage bolts, cotter pins etc.........

        So it's pretty obvious, the hardware kits would be very valuable to anyone doing a 1 time restoration.
        Great idea Rod & Janet. 

[Larry]

I also have an assortment of screws that I use for various machines.  My first machines were Coke machines, but generally I work on sixties arcade and some fifties vending machines.  I also run into oddballs like 2-56 and 3-48 screws mainly for micro switches.  I'm working on something right now and 6- 32 x 3/8" seems to be the most used screw so far.

Back to the thread,  That is very cool to have an assortment of screws that you already know exactly what a restorer would need for a particular machine.  Good heads up.  I'll see you on Shark Tank.

[jholmgren]

    I didn't even know Funtronics offered these kits. 

         As a restorer myself here is a list of the machine hardware I need to keep in stock to avoid interruptions:
         Sheet metal screws # 6, 8 and 10, each in 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4" lengths.
         Machine screws # 6, 8 & 10, also each in 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4" lengths.
         Truss head screws # 6, 8 & 10
         Counter sunk screws # 6, 8 & 10.
         Hex bolts # 1/4", 5/16", 3/8".
         Nuts and washers for all size threads.
         Carriage bolts, cotter pins etc.........

        So it's pretty obvious, the hardware kits would be very valuable to anyone doing a 1 time restoration.
        Great idea Rod & Janet. 

Exactly Glen - these are designed for those like me that are not doing this on a professional level.  If this were my 'day job' I would do exactly as you do and buy bulk quantities of each size.  I couldn't do this for a living, I'm so slow I would be working for about .02 an hour!    

[mznb1u]

    I didn't even know Funtronics offered these kits. 

         As a restorer myself here is a list of the machine hardware I need to keep in stock to avoid interruptions:
         Sheet metal screws # 6, 8 and 10, each in 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4" lengths.
         Machine screws # 6, 8 & 10, also each in 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4" lengths.
         Truss head screws # 6, 8 & 10
         Counter sunk screws # 6, 8 & 10.
         Hex bolts # 1/4", 5/16", 3/8".
         Nuts and washers for all size threads.
         Carriage bolts, cotter pins etc.........

        So it's pretty obvious, the hardware kits would be very valuable to anyone doing a 1 time restoration.
        Great idea Rod & Janet. 

Yeah, but where do you keep the loose screws, Glen? 

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

  Tim

[Funtronics]

Thanks guys. Glad you enjoy the screw sets. I have a huge cabinet with all stainless screws in it, but I still use our screw kits when I restore a machine. Makes it so much easier and faster. Janet use to sit on the floor at home at night and do these with the kids while they would watch TV. After a few years of doing that they got burned out and we now hire someone to put them together for us. 

[MoonDawg]

        http://www.fun-tronicsllc.com/index.php?crn=305&rn=805&action=show_detail

[MoonDawg]

Yeah, but where do you keep the loose screws, Glen? 

         I do sales and service of automobile sunroofs.
         Many times a customer will call and say one corner of their glass panel is lower than the rest.
         "I think you have a screw loose" .................gets a moment of pause, then a burst of laughter. 

[jholmgren]

Thanks guys. Glad you enjoy the screw sets. I have a huge cabinet with all stainless screws in it, but I still use our screw kits when I restore a machine. Makes it so much easier and faster. Janet use to sit on the floor at home at night and do these with the kids while they would watch TV. After a few years of doing that they got burned out and we now hire someone to put them together for us. 

 That's funny Rod - when I got it I totally pictured Janet sitting on the floor somewhere putting together all those little baggies of hardware.  If/When I get into another machine I am totally on-board with buying another of these kits.  Unbelievably convenient and amazing attention to detail.  I was cleaning up the wiring block and it even includes the two little screws that attach the block to the inside of the housing.  Wow.

Jim

[SIGNGUY]

I use Funtronics kits on every restoration I do... what a time saver...