In my experience, don't sweat too much about getting the right thing - there will always be something that you need, which you havent got, and which requires another trip to the hardware store (luckily I have one about 400m from where I live).

If I need one or two of something, I try to buy a packet - after a few years I have a really good stock of hardware that I needed once!

When decades younger with a house & a cottage (here in Ontario, Canada thats our word for summer vacation home) i had multiple workshops & used a cordless drill with philips screwdriving bits & drywall screws to assemble everything that i needed. Those screws were available in many lengths ranging from 3/4" up to 3-3/4" in length. They are approx a #7 woodscrew with a bell head that self-countersinks. The tip us extremely sharp & starts well in softwood or spruce ply without needing a pilot hole. There is no unthreaded shank so if you wish to draw two pieces up hard against each other then you need a clearance hole thru the wood under the head.

I find I resort to the container full of assorted bits that never found a home,
when I can't find it in the appropriate compartment.
Probably a carry over from days on the farm
Trev

Yes Greg, that is exactly what my Dad did. After he died I inherited one large metal box full of assorted sizes and lengths of bolts and screws, plus about two dozen old Brylcreem jars containing identified screws. Eventually I emptied the metal box and sorted everything out in to like sizes and lengths. Years later I have amassed dozens of boxes of screws with cross heads (Philips or Pozidrive) which are all carefully sorted into sizes and lengths. When a box is nearly finished I leave it out on the bench as a reminder to buy more. I do like to be able to put my hand on the correct screw or bolt straight away. 🙄🙄😐

Hello Dave,

Very useful suggestions. Isn't it always the way. You have a container full of screws and never the one you want at that moment. I also like to work with wood making things like Dovecotes and other things for the garden so I always need wood screws. I buy various sizes by the box and have them on a shelf in the workshop so I know where to go when I need a wood screw or two. The problem is only to find the box of the size I want is empty and that I had forgotten to order more when I used the last one ☹️.

My grandfather used to keep all sizes of screws in one big jar and would spill them out onto his bench when he wanted some. I think that was, to him, all part of the pleasure. Finding the one he wanted!

Greg 👍

Hello AndyB,

Very good points concerning stainless steel and brass. I do want some self tappers so I will look for them as well. I also have a look at the PEEK plastic.

Thank you.

Greg 👍

Hello Nickthestream,

Thank you for the N&Bs details and the name of a supplier.

Greg 👍

Hello River Rat,

Thank you for the suggested sizes.

Greg 👍

Hi greg
As others have said modellers all tend to accumulate a stash of useful bits and pieces. I inherited a great hoard of nuts and bolts etc when dad passed and have added more over the years.
BA and metric sizes can be useful but in my experience what you have is either too short or the wrong thread, so yes a set of taps and dies is useful.
Another useful source are items you can dismantle before disposal. They can be a mine of odd sizes but useful.
If you can get to a show many traders carry trays of all types of fixings and car boot sales can produce some useful finds.
I am fortunate in having a local hardware shop that has a very extensive stock of nuts/bolts/screws and washers of all types.
I store my items in sealed plastic containers available from craft and hardware stores or on line. Important if storing in a shed/garage to keep the damp out.
dave976

Check they are stainless or brass, the zinc coated ones rust. Consider PEEK (plastic) quite often strong enough. A set of taps are very useful.