Alternative to MacMaster-Carr?

Try MSC and then I will see your reaction.

Then try Grainger.

Both of the above truly suck and there is no other alternative besides them.

Fleabay?

Depends on what you want. Just about everything they sell can be found elsewhere. Just not many who have their selection and inventory.

They jury is still out on MSC for me.

Grainger sucks runny effluent thru a straw and spits turds.

Switch to decaf?

I guess you're proof that you can't please everybody.

In my view Mc Master has HUGE selection of quality products at fair prices with INCREDIBLY great service.

Karl

Yet, if you call Grainger, they are pretty good on the phone.

Maybe you should offer to reprogram their entire web site.

Except that while back they stopped dealing with Canada. Too much paperwork they say.

-- Boris

Search for individual items? We use McMaster because it's quick, easy and we often get the stuff the same day. Most other sites like Granger and such suck much worse. Don't forget the costs of finding and ordering parts adds a lot to the total cost of the parts. Just embrace the horror and learn to work with McMaster.

Google might help you. Amazon Supply is the company that Amazon has formed to sell retail quantities of tubing, nuts, bar stock, et c. You seem rather overwhelmed by this design project. Have you considered speaking with a prototype maker? Not cheap but you seem to be really struggling with simple problems.

Dave M.

Try amazonsupply (they used to be smallparts.com).

But McMaster is pretty good overall, especially the CAD model integration and search engine (and their fulfilment). Bad points are that they won't export to small guys and they hide the real manufacturer of almost all the stuff they sell (usually, not always, it's good stuff though).

You can get a really wide range of stuff next day for a fairly reasonable price. We place multiple orders every week with them.

Sure- amazon. Of course they don't have the selection, the quality, or the knowledge. . . . customer service wise, they might be equal. . . shipping is a little slower on amazon. . . but they have a snazzy website, so that should do it.

Jim

I don't drink caffeinated anything. Besides, I don't know what their clicking limit is.

Then to put a limit on browsing all that stuff is counterproductive.

Some hidden limit on using their website is not incredibly great service.

If you're so dedicated, maybe you should do that. I can just shop at other stores. Apparently 6061 aluminum flat bar is a lot cheaper elsewhere.

Yeah, I dwell on stuff. That's part of the learning process and it helps me devise stuff perfectly suited to my situation. For example... Nobody else would have devised this monitor hang adjuster for me, shown on my page.

I get a kick out of using that beautifully simple thing, every day.

Actually, looks like there are a few other possibilities that stock some of the same products, for significantly less money.

In other words... You're a fan boy that cannot shop anyplace else. Having someone hold your hand is better than finding your way on your own. Don't run so fast Johnny! You might fall and hurt yourself! Shopping elsewhere is just too difficult.

That's the way it is, doing things differently is annoying when you are set in your ways. That is especially true with computer stuff. Once you learn it, you don't want to change.

Not having some strange seemingly arbitrary limit on browsing might do it. But apparently I can get the same quality aluminum stock much cheaper elsewhere, so the effort is not wasted. There is little need for technical help ordering pieces of aluminum.

So there's no comparable place to shop, in your opinion? I guess you don't do comparison shopping, then.

"Don't rock the boat, baby!"

IAWTP.

nate

yes, I do not like that McMaster doesn't tell you the mfgr. either. However, at least for drill bits, taps, etc. I have not yet been disappointed by poor quality, so there's that too (I think the last tap I ordered was Greenlee, not sure about drill bits. I think Chicago-Latrobe?)

nate