McMaster-Carr Review
 

With all the recent vendor bashing I thought I would share a little story about my experience with these guys. I order stuff from here all the time. I am always amazed at the order fill rate. It has probably been over 2 years since I have ordered something and it not been in stock and at my office/shop the next day. The warehouse we are served out of is in Cleveland and we are in Columbus, so standard 1 day shipping via UPS. I needed an odd ball tap size to fix a part (3/4-24!) and I immediately jumped on McMaster's website and ordered it. When I was checking out, I was a little disappointed that it was being shipped from the Chicago warehouse which meant an additional day in transit. (I am spoiled from getting it the next day) Imagine my surprise when it showed up the next day anyway! No extra costs involved. When I called McMaster to thank them and inquire how that was possible, the super nice lady on the phone said that they try to expedite every order and if at all possible they can shift inventory between warehouses via shuttle trucks to make delivery that much faster. I ordered it early enough on Monday to have it loaded on a truck, driven to Cleveland, put in UPS to ship! It was a $44 tap! I realize that there are less expensive places for the items they carry, (there is most certainly a premium for the fill rate) but with that kind of service, I don't really care. Returns are a breeze, stuff it back in a box with your packing slip and send it back, no return authorization needed.

If you have not ordered from them or were unaware of their vast catalog, give them a peak.


http://www.mcmaster.com/#



Darren

I agree -- McMaster is great. I ordered all of the stainless hardware for my truck from them (and polished it myself). I'm outside of Cincinnati, it my orders typically get here the day after I order them.

I just like looking through their catalog -- -they have a ton of stuff!

Yep they are great. I order from them for my job. They always have the part I am looking for and I usually have it next day, IF my purchasing team can get the order through.HAHA.

Plus they have CAD models for many of their items. This it much easier as a designer.

I love McMaster-Carr. As you said, always have it in stock, and one day delivery for me also. I've ordered at 7:00 pm and still had it the next day.

That's where I get my heat shrink for wiring, Gates band clamps for heater/radiator hoses, stainless bolts/nuts/washers, etc.

I forgot to mention that as well Jody! 7:00 pm order, in my warehouse by 9:00 am the next day!

Weido, I agree, if they don't have it, you are either don't know what you are looking for or you don't need it!

Darren

Their NJ location is 30 mins from me.
I am always amazed that I can place the order online, jump in my truck and pick it up 30 mins later at the "will call" pick-up.
Thats:
processed, pulled, packaged, logged in and paid for in 30 mins !
Dominos cant even cook a pizza and deliver it that fast !

That would be seriously dangerous....

Darren

I agree, they always the things I need in stock. I think I receive my stuff from either the Atlanta or Chicago facility. I don't have the turnaround that you guys have due to logistics but I get an emailed invoice the day of delivery, before it is delivered and that is very helpful for scheduling on my end.

These guys don't play. I remember ordering right before 5pm and getting my stuff next morning. Nothing but praise :woot:

I have an idea!!!!!! This may be a new thread, but I'd love to see some of the more "off the wall" things that you've found on McMaster and used on your projects.

I'm always finding something cool in their catalog that I think I may be able to use......

Just a thought.

Way back when, I built a sealed intake setup on my 69 w/cowl ind. hood, using a "bulb seal" rubber strip from McMaster-Carr.

the rest was a $7 aluminum cake pan (any restaurant supply store), and an offset "HEI clearance" air cleaner base (any swap meet).

Worked awesome!


http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/49...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg


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I used McMaster all the time. I don't think there is a fastener they don't stock, no matter what size.

I like that most of what they stock is U.S. made, or at least good quality. Though not always cheap. But the service is worth it for me.

I live ten minutes from the Atlanta McMaster-Carr, I'm going to go pay them a visit. Jody, you get the black Gates hose clamps there, correct?

You sure can.....I bought them from McMaster for my truck project.

That place as it all and by noon tomorrow.

Yep, in a million different sizes.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#heat-shrink...clamps/=dnzsdg

as others have said, yes, get mine from them. Stock a collection of sizes at the house as my friends seem to stop by and "borrow" them from time to time........... :lol:

Not to mention returns are super easy.

That company is awesome. I love their user friendly website and their ability to always fill orders. I get parts from their southern California warehouse and if I order before 12pm I can have it delivered to my door same day. What an amazing company, Mcmaster-Carr you rock!

I used to use them all the time (along with MSC) when I would order supplies for an old machine shop. Now I still use them for my personal use.

I just recently ordered some vinyl edge trim with the metal core, to give the outer edge of my aluminum splitter a more finished look along with a little protection

What's even more amazing is that they don't really have an automotive section. LOL. I couldn't have built my car the way I did without them.