Does anyone know of a tool that can be used to determine the bolt diamater, thread type, size of any bolt..and do you know of a source to find a huge range of nuts, bolts screws etc to buy.
If I am working on my car or motorcycle or machine, I would like to be able to determine the info on the bolt and have a place to quickly buy a replacement instead of having to order once bolt at a time thru the mangufacturuer. I have tried getting replacements at the hardware store but the selection usually is not complete enough

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1996 E320
2000 C230 Kompressor
1988 190e 2.3 - 225K miles, owned for 7 years. I cannot say enough good things about this car. Very well built, even at 225 it ran like new.

found answer here...

engatwork
Moderator

Registered: May 2000
Location: Warner Robins, Ga USA
Posts: 2632
420 - I agree with you. It may not be as easy as going to a local hardware store. Let me clarify - there are stores that all they sell are fasteners. I guess I take for granted some stuff that others may not know. Anyway, I am lucky in the fact that right around the corner from where I work is a place called "Industrial Fasteners". All they sell are nuts, bolts, washers, allthread and locktite. The only MB fasteners I have not been able to purchase from them is the countersunk allen head bolt that secures the top of the rear strut on the 300TD and the head bolts for any of the MB's. I would suggest to everyone that is a diyer to search out the local fastener supply store in their town - and it ain't gonna be the Lowe's or Home Depot. Also, these type businesses usually sell in bulk 100's and 1000's of fasteners and if you develop a "relationship" with them they will just give you one or two fasteners as you need them. That is how it works with me but on occasion at work I do purchase large quantities from them.
Thanks for the clarification and heads up.

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1996 E320
2000 C230 Kompressor
1988 190e 2.3 - 225K miles, owned for 7 years. I cannot say enough good things about this car. Very well built, even at 225 it ran like new.

And here is the tool to measure the threads with. Use a metric scale to get the length and diameter. Not sure where I purchased this thread measuring tool but I'm sure most well stocked industrial supply houses (Grainger comes to mind) has them. You could also try McMaster Carr. I'm sure both have web sites with this stuff. I think Sears may even carry this kind of stuff. Make sure it is for metric threads.

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Jim

I recently bought a similar tool for around $10.00 plus shipping from:

http://www.samstagsales.com/

Stahlwille made in germany, Metric Screw Thread Pitch .25 - 6. range, other half is Whitworth (wacky English) Thread. Look's very well made, nice folks to do business with also. Good Luck!

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Hey Billy Bob

You may be a 'Senior Member' - just hold it on the wacky!!

and pay homage to a great engineer:

http://www.lrml.org/directory/whitworth/mandb188706.htm

Regards

NormanB

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NormanB
230 TE (W124) 1989 with 153,000 miles on the clock - hoping for at least another 100K

Knew they must have had a tool for that, thx a bunch

__________________
1996 E320
2000 C230 Kompressor
1988 190e 2.3 - 225K miles, owned for 7 years. I cannot say enough good things about this car. Very well built, even at 225 it ran like new.

I forgot to ask..what is the tool called? I want to see if I can find some on ebay

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1996 E320
2000 C230 Kompressor
1988 190e 2.3 - 225K miles, owned for 7 years. I cannot say enough good things about this car. Very well built, even at 225 it ran like new.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1784361674

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Jim

Thanks for the link for the tool.
The site below seems like great place to find about any industrial fastener..

http://www.barnhillbolt.com

but you have to buy 100 at a time, not that expensive though

__________________
1996 E320
2000 C230 Kompressor
1988 190e 2.3 - 225K miles, owned for 7 years. I cannot say enough good things about this car. Very well built, even at 225 it ran like new.

NormanB,

My apologies sir as I did not man to offend any wacky Englishmen (women), in my haste I displayed only my own ignorance.

Senior Member Status - rest assured that I know more than anyone else that it is much more a measure of all that I do not know than any little bit that I might think I do know. More questions than answers in the total of all posts!!!!!

Lastly the described tool's proper name would be a Thread Pitch Gage or a Screw Thread Pitch Gage.