Where to find rubber stoppers/caps

[todds]

This is a very basic question. I've been fixing cars for about 8-10 years now and I still don't know a convenient place to buy things such as the rubber caps I'm looking for right now to plug off my transmission cooler lines during a radiator change. I'm always trying random hardware stores/home depots/parts chains in a desperate attempt to improvise. Usually I end up spending too much on an assortment of random stuff I'll never use and then have to figure out where to stash. Is it simply a sign of the times that parts stores don't carry stuff like this anymore? Paying shipping and waiting for a 20 cent rubber stopper or a random bolt seems equally ridiculous to me. I know I'm in trouble as soon as I see, or am directed to the "Help!" brand area of the store or are asked what year/make my car is. Perhaps a plumber's supply? Anyone have any secrets tricks to divulge? Sears Hardware, which is usually so good for tools had nothing of the sort. Where do you all go?

[250 Coupe]

I like Eastwood for cool tools.

If McMaster doesn't have it, you didn't need it, they used to carry an air powered flashlight. Search for "tape rubber plug".

Sometimes JC Whitney has cool stuff.

Michael

[flacollect]

I bought a ton of tools on ebay. I even search for things like "rubber stoppers". Sometimes you find people getting rid of entire boxes of stuff. I bought 20 rolls of packing tape, and aluminum tape for 5 bucks. Just saying. Search and ye shall be found. Thanks for the tip on the accelerator pump too. I will check my leather pump out this week. RIDE ON!!!

[Tomguy]

Do NOT expect Snap-On quality tools but do expect cheap prices:

Harbor Freight.

I buy a LOT of stuff from them. They occasionally have those parts bins of misc nuts/bolts on uberclearance. They also have all sorts of useful small hardware. Some stuff they sell is super-cheap quality-wise, but some is great actually! For example, I got an oil can there that didn't work until I replaced the O-Ring. brand new it didn't work. On the other hand, I bought an 8 gallon compressor for $100 3 years ago and it still works great. You have to be careful with what you get but honestly, they do have good stuff from time to time. Just got a full set of SAE and Metric wrenches - 24 wrenches IIRC - for $18. They're just as good as Stanley or Craftsman, quality wise (no guarantee but for $18 who cares) at a tiny fraction of the price.

[todds]

Thanks guys, these are real great suggestions actually. I hadn't heard of Mcmaster Carr, they've got exactly what I need. I was actually looking for something local besides Home Depot, AutoZone, Advance, etc. These places are always a disappointment. I find AutoZone to be about the worst possible option, followed closely by PepBoys.

It seems like, for local chains and franchises, TrueValue type hardware stores have a better selection of this kind of thing than Home Depot et al. Their bolt section is certainly better. Sears Hardware is good for tools of course, but pretty awful for small bits n' pieces.