Old Fashioned Service - Apex Fasteners

[RichB]

Recently been doing a bit of work and I needed some BA screws as there were a few missing from the headlamp fastening on my Aston. Couldn't find any in my 'reserve' tin and not knowing exactly what size they were I couldn't order on-line. Until you need something you don't realise how difficult it is to actually buy something from a shop these days but fortunately I came across Apex Fasteners on the Slough Trading Estate. Great 'old-fashioned' place, took a similar sized screw in and asked the chap for a dozen like this please. A few minutes later he came back, it's a 2BA and that'll be 60p please - for all ten! Makes those horrible bubble packed things you buy in Halfords look ridiculously expensive and you don't get the service. Highly recommend them.

[jeremyc]

RichB said:

Recently been doing a bit of work and I needed some BA screws as there were a few missing from the headlamp fastening on my Aston. Couldn't find any in my 'reserve' tin and not knowing exactly what size they were I couldn't order on-line. Until you need something you don't realise how difficult it is to actually buy something from a shop these days but fortunately I came across Apex Fasteners on the Slough Trading Estate. Great 'old-fashioned' place, took a similar sized screw in and asked the chap for a dozen like this please. A few minutes later he came back, it's a 2BA and that'll be 60p please - for all ten! Makes those horrible bubble packed things you buy in Halfords look ridiculously expensive and you don't get the service. Highly recommend them.

And for those in London try the fabulous Clerkenwell Screws on Clerkenwell Road (nearest tube Chancery Lane).

Proper wooden counter, men in brown coats and happy to sell me the odd one or two stainless steel fasteners that they had taken the time to match from my example.

AllInLondon Directory said:

Over 12000 different types of nuts bolts and screws in metric and imperial sizes in steel stainless steel brass and nylon.

[TonyBrooks]

I have been using Apex in Slough for many years and echo their high standard of service and helpfulness. They are a true family firm and whilst sometimes I feel embarrassed by asking for such small quantities it seems it is never too much trouble.

[Richie Howard]

jeremyc said:

yep, they are good. every time i have been in there for the odd nut/bolt, they have just told me to put some money in the charity box - and looked away so they didn't see how much!

[Big Rumbly]

http://www.mackay.co.uk/

Mackays in East road Cambridge, just the same, been trading since 1912, can buy single anything, nothing too much trouble.

[RichB]

Unintentionally this is turning into a useful thread, so far we've got recommendations for London, Cambs and Bucks/Berkshire.

[MJK 24]

Anyone in the Merseyside & Cheshire region will know J.B. Websters in Widnes. Every type of fastening under the sun. Brilliant place.

[boyse7en]

Not sure of the extent of their "old size" nut and bolt ranges, but John Taylor fastenings in Barnstaple will work from a "Have you got one like this, but without the stripped thread..."

Got two allen-headed stainless nut, bolt and washer combos for the princely sum of 61p for my old Ducati yesterday.

[AndehW]

Ace Fixings of Cumbria are similar for people a bit more north, frequently buy single bolts for pennies from their Penrith branch.

http://www.acefixingscumbria.co.uk/fixings-fasteni...

[digger the goat]

East Anglia..
I have always used,
Vintage Car Parts..........North Walsham....Everything there !!
NR28 CAJ......01692 406510.. Well worth a look !!

[lowdrag]

There is a similar shop called Tagordo just off the town centre in Le Mans which has been family owned for ggenerations. More a general store, with kitchen implements, saucepans, knives etc. you also have all kinds of nuts bolts and things you thought no longer existed. It is heartening to see such service still exists.

[Hybrids]

In the Stockport/Manchester area I have used Brian S Pope on Manchester Road, Heaton Chapel for many weird and wonderful fixings in the past

[amstrange1]

Big Rumbly said:

http://www.mackay.co.uk/

Mackays in East road Cambridge, just the same, been trading since 1912, can buy single anything, nothing too much trouble.

+1 on Mackays - used them a lot when I lived in Cam.

Spa Fastners in Leamington Spa are good if you're in Warwickshire.

[niagra]

lowdrag said:

There is a similar shop called Tagordo just off the town centre in Le Mans which has been family owned for ggenerations. More a general store, with kitchen implements, saucepans, knives etc. you also have all kinds of nuts bolts and things you thought no longer existed. It is heartening to see such service still exists.

Have they got any "O's"?

[stevesprint]

I've also been using Alex Fasteners in Slough for many years and I couldn't agree more with RichB & TonyBrooks.

The two ladies are always very helpful, positive and really know their stuff, plus I'm never made to feel a nuisance with my very small quantities.

On one visit a few years ago they even gave me their old thread gauge in the picture. Maybe I was lucky or was it because their prices are so low that I always leave a small tip for their sweet tin.

[dartissimus]

I've struggled to ever spend more than £2 at B & D Bolts in Batley. Lots of old imperial stock

[Russwhitehouse]

Barlow fasteners on Nuffield industrial estate in Poole. Everything you could want in any quantity no matter how small, served up by people who actually know what they are talking about.

[HumbleJim]

Wrights Auto Supplies in Coventry.

[Evoluzione]

dartissimus said:

I've struggled to ever spend more than £2 at B & D Bolts in Batley. Lots of old imperial stock

I like B&D, very old school, loads of character, good prices, key points:

In a totally run down building which was probably a house, worn out bare floor boards, etc. With no heating - the guys just wear big coats in Winter.
Has graffiti scrawled on the wall outside which reads 'Hurry up Ali ffs'.
They occasionally sell home grown eggs, I recently came away with some bolts, 4 duck eggs and two chicken eggs.
Sadly the pic of the bearded lady and some beer with someones name written over the top has now gone....

Now you don't get that at overpriced Dixon Hall!

Edited by Evoluzione on Thursday 20th March 09:45

[Slidingpillar]

And in St Albans, Hobco.

Part of their business is web orders:
http://www.hobbfast.co.uk/

But if you look at the contact data, you get the warehouse address. Major help to me over the years and as far as I know, folk come from quite a distance.