Fasterners (#2 pickup ring screws)

[StogiePatriot]

In searching for the affordable supplier for screws I developed a new flat spot on my forehead and learned my jaw would drop lower than I previously thought possible.  Either they wanted $1 approx a screw (for a half inch #2 black screw) or they wanted me to order 10,000 of them.

http://www.microfasteners.com/catalog/products/TWS.cfm

Found these guys - they sell in a 100 count package and they are quite affordable.  I ordered a bunch and I'll report back on whether they are more of a headache or a really good deal.

The other find was this cat on ebay:http://www.ebay.com/sch/boenisch2006/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686
He sells smaller quantities of reasonably priced stuff; I got solder lugs from him....  Good seller and shipping was normal.

 

[Cagey]

I'll be interested in hearing how that works out. You're right - it's tough to find some of the screws commonly used on guitars, especially if you want them finished somehow (black, chrome, gold). So, we're stuck paying ridiculous prices for the small quantities that some suppliers are willing to source.

Not that I blame the suppliers too much - they may be buying the fasteners right, but they have to invest some labor and packaging to get them to you in the quantities DIY types typically want. Labor is expensive, particularly in the US, so somebody's gotta reimburse them at least for that, plus a nominal profit. Nobody's in this business for their health.