Almost two months ago I ordered 12 countersunk, stainless bolts from a company called McMaster-Carr in the states. I needed them to fasten my sprocket and rear brake disc to my PM rear wheel, which uses a really archaic bolt pattern and 7/16'' bolts. A month passed without any bolts arriving. Then a further two weeks. A call was placed and met with the suprising answer: "We cancelled your order due to export restrictions". "-Come again? Export restrictions? I wasn't aware that old imperial bolts were covered by some sort of non-proliferation treaty", I replied. "And why haven't you informed me of the cancellation?" Since the customer relations person at the other end couldn't give me a satisfactory answer, I hung up. Annoyed, to say the least.Since McMaster-Carr were the ONLY source I could find for the bolts I needed (stainless 7/16'' contersunk must be the rarest bolts in the world), I had to resort to having them custom made. A company called Acme Stainless in the UK made the ones in the picture and had them sent to me within a week. The cost? £65 including postage. Aouch!
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ReplyDeletewe have been using www.a2stainless.co.uk and are satisfied so far.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep that in mind for next time. They don't carry 7/16 countersunk though..:-)
/D
I know it's a thought too late, but you could have helicoil'd the holes to a more conventional thread...
ReplyDeleteTrue. True.
ReplyDeleteBut I had already had the sprocket and brake disc drilled to fit the inch bolts so I thought it best to carry on with ye olde UNC treads.
/D
I have been building my own bikes and hod rods for years. i only order from the UK and have finally found a company that can build be custom bolts and fasteners here in the UK.
ReplyDelete