Just thought I would share this site I found when looking for various stuff! From ABS plastic to Work Stations…
Acrylic sheets, plastics, round, square, angles etc.
Cool site!
I wonder how they are on shipping charges and minimum orders.
There are two problems with Graingers for modelers. First, they are generally overpriced, but if you need some weird doodad like right now, they can get it to you. Secondly, they only sell to recognized businesses - they will want a copy of your business license.
A similar, if not better, industrial supply house is McMaster-Carr. Larger selection, better prices, and they sell to anyone. Call by 2:00 pm and it’s shipped that day. I live in Massachusetts and I’ve never had an order take more than two days to get to me from Jersey, many come O/N. They do have multiple warehouses - if you call, make sure you get the one closest to you.
Brian
Hello everyone,
Grainger is a GREAT company to do buisness with but the one problem I have had with them is that I do not have an account with them. I was told that they DO NOT sell to the public. I was told that you have to have an account with them or purchase through and authorised account. That’s my 2 cents.
Happy Railroading,
I Used to use Grainger extensively for industrial supplies. No more.
As Brian wrote, they are usually really high on everything and they will only sell to people who can produce something indicating they are in business, usually a business license. Sometimes they will take a business card as being good enough. They are also very demanding about having an account, even if you want to pay by credit card.
Earlier this year, I ordered a part for a pneumatic tool from them as they were the only dealer I could find. After calling and calling, they finally said they couldn’t get it. Meanwhile, I found a small business online and had the item in a few days. IMHO, Grainger=Little or no service.
Follow Brian’s suggestion and use McMaster-Carr. Stock items seem to always be in stock. No minimum order and an astounding selection. Over the years, I’ve had a couple of occasions where McMaster didn’t catalog what I was looking for, but talking to the rep got the item. In the case of some special hardened wire, they took the information and called me back several times while they located it. That is great service. No matter where you order, they will always ship the cheapest and quickest way. I get all my small specialty tools like taps and dies there, and a great deal of the materials in the Mobiie Monitor I recently built came from McMaster.
McMaster-Carr’s online catalog is an amazing place to browse. We use it all the time.
Happy RRing,
Jerry