Frequently Asked Questions | Specialty Bolt & Screw Inc.
1.  Finding the Right Part

Yes â?? if you can't find exactly what you need (wrong size, coating, material, etc.), you have several options:

  1. Submit an RFQ directly at shop.specialtybolt.com/sourcing/rfq
  2. Use the Quote Request page, click "Add an Item," check "Non-Stock Item," and describe the part â?? including a McMaster-Carr or other supplier part number if you have one.
  3. Find the closest matching part in our catalog, click "Add to Quote," and use the Item Note field to describe what you need differently (e.g., "This part but in stainless steel, 100mm long").

Use the Request Technical Support form and describe the part as best you can â?? include dimensions, head style, drive type, material, finish, and application. Photos are very helpful and can be attached to your request. Our engineering team will identify the part and point you to the right specification.

Yes. Use our Part Cross Reference tool to find equivalent parts in our catalog. We cross-reference to McMaster-Carr, MSC, Grainger, and many other distributors. If the tool doesn't return a match, submit an RFQ or contact our technical team with the part number, supplier name, and any dimensional or spec information you have.

Yes. 3D models and drawings are available for many standard parts through our 3D Model / Print resource under the Technical menu. If a model is not available for the part you need, contact us and we will assist.

2.  Materials, Grades & Coatings

Our Materials & Grades resource (Technical menu) provides a comprehensive reference covering common materials (alloy steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, brass, etc.) and their associated strength grades and standards. Our Tech Dictionary is also a useful starting point for terminology.

Material type refers to the base alloy (e.g., 18-8 stainless steel, alloy steel, titanium Grade 5). Grade refers to the mechanical property classification within that material â?? for example, SAE Grade 5 vs. Grade 8 for carbon steel bolts, or A2-70 vs. A4-80 for stainless. Selecting the right combination depends on your strength, corrosion, and temperature requirements. Contact our Technical Support team if you need guidance.

We stock and source parts with a wide range of finishes including zinc, hot-dip galvanized, black oxide, passivated, nickel, chrome, Dacromet, and others. See our Plating & Coatings reference page for details. We can also apply alternative coatings to in-stock items as a secondary process â?? include your requirement in your RFQ or order notes.

Yes. SBS specializes in modifying in-stock items with: (i) alternative coatings and plating, (ii) pre-applied adhesive or non-metallic locking patches, and (iii) machining operations such as drilling, slotting, or custom lengths. Describe your requirements in your RFQ or order and we will confirm feasibility and pricing.

Pre-applied patches are locking or sealing elements applied to the thread of a fastener before installation â?? they function as a controlled alternative to liquid threadlocking compounds. Common types include nylon pellets, full-thread nylon patches, and micro-encapsulated adhesive coatings. See our Pre-Applied Patches reference for details and options.

3.  Technical Data Sheets & Certifications

Technical Data Sheets are available for many products through the Datasheet section under the Technical menu. If the document you need isn't listed there, submit a Technical Support request with the part number and we will locate or provide the appropriate documentation.

An MTR (also called a Mill Certificate or Mill Test Report) is a quality assurance document that certifies a material's chemical composition and mechanical properties, traceable to the specific heat or lot it was produced from. MTRs are available upon request â?? please indicate this requirement when placing your order or submitting an RFQ, or contact us after ordering with your order number.

A Certificate of Conformance is a signed document affirming that a product meets specified requirements (dimensional, material, performance, etc.). We provide C of C documentation upon request. Please specify this requirement when submitting your order or RFQ so it can be included with your shipment.

Yes. Both documents can be provided together on request. Specify all documentation requirements upfront â?? in your RFQ or order notes â?? to ensure nothing is missed.

Compliance documentation for RoHS, REACH, and similar regulatory frameworks is available for many products. Contact us with the specific part number and the compliance standard required, and our team will provide the appropriate documentation.

4.  Standards & Cross-Referencing

We stock and source parts conforming to a wide range of domestic and international standards including ASME/ANSI, ISO, DIN, JIS, SAE, IFI, MS (Military Standard), and NAS (National Aerospace Standard), among others. Our Standards Library provides access to consensus standards documentation to help you identify the correct specification for your application.

Use the Standards Library to browse and search available standards. If you know the part type but not the governing standard, our Request Technical Support form connects you with our engineering team, who can identify the applicable ASME, ISO, DIN, or other standard for your application.

These are different standards bodies that define specifications for fastener dimensions, tolerances, materials, and performance:

  • ASME/ANSI â?? American Society of Mechanical Engineers / American National Standards Institute (United States)
  • ISO â?? International Organization for Standardization (global, primarily metric)
  • DIN â?? Deutsches Institut für Normung (German origin, widely used in Europe)
  • JIS â?? Japanese Industrial Standards

Parts from different standards are often similar but may not be interchangeable due to subtle dimensional or thread differences. See also our Threads and Tech Dictionary references, or contact our technical team to confirm compatibility.

We carry parts in UNC, UNF, UNEF (unified inch series), metric coarse (M), metric fine (MF), and specialty thread forms. Our Threads & Thread Forms reference explains the differences and includes pitch charts and tolerance information. Our engineering team can also help confirm the correct thread form for your application.

5.  Custom & Special Parts / RFQ Process

Submit an RFQ when you need: a part not found in our online catalog; a standard part in a special material, finish, or dimension; a per-print custom part; large quantities that warrant a formal quote; or any item requiring specific documentation (MTR, C of C). Use our Request for Quote page to get started.

The more detail you provide, the faster and more accurately we can respond. Ideally include:

  • Part description or name
  • Governing standard (if known), e.g., ASME B18.3 or DIN 912
  • Material and grade (e.g., 316 SS, Grade 8, A286, Ti-6Al-4V)
  • Finish or plating (e.g., zinc yellow, passivated, black oxide)
  • Dimensions: thread size, length, head style, drive type, tolerances
  • Quantity required and whether blanket/scheduled releases are needed
  • Required documentation: MTR, C of C, RoHS, etc.
  • Required delivery date or lead time constraint

A print or drawing (PDF) can be attached and is especially helpful for per-print or screw machine parts.

SBS specializes in a broad range of custom and engineered fasteners and components, including:

  • Custom fasteners and per-print specials
  • CNC turned and screw machine parts
  • Stampings (progressive, deep-drawn, fine-blanking)
  • Brass inserts (pressed-in or molded-in)
  • Bushings, spacers, and plain bearings
  • Electrical standoffs and PCB hardware
  • Vacuum hardware (vented components for in-vacuum environments)
  • Titanium fasteners and components
  • Rivets, SEMS screws, cable ties, and clamps

See the RFQs and Sourcing menu for the full list of specialty categories.

For standard catalog items, pricing is typically available within one business day. For custom, special, or sourced parts, quote turnaround is generally 1â??3 business days depending on complexity. If you need an expedited response, call us directly at 800-322-7878.

Yes. We offer Rapid Prototyping services for low-volume or one-off needs, as well as full production sourcing and Strategic Sourcing programs for high-volume and long-term supply requirements.

Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) is a process of reviewing your parts and assemblies to identify opportunities to reduce cost without compromising function or quality. SBS offers VA/VE services to help engineers and procurement teams standardize parts, reduce part-number count, and optimize material selection. Learn more on our VA/VE page.

6.  VMI â?? Vendor-Managed Inventory

VMI (Vendor-Managed Inventory) is a supply chain program in which Specialty Bolt & Screw manages your fastener and hardware inventory on-site at your facility. We monitor stock levels, replenish automatically on a defined schedule, and ensure you never run out of critical parts â?? reducing your purchasing workload, eliminating emergency buys, and lowering carrying costs. Learn more at specialtybolt.com.

VMI is ideal for OEM manufacturers, assemblers, and maintenance operations that use a consistent set of fasteners and hardware at predictable rates and want to eliminate the administrative burden of managing those items internally. It is particularly valuable for facilities with high part-number counts, lean/JIT production environments, or operations seeking to reduce inventory-related downtime.

Contact our team through the Contact Us page or call 800-322-7878 to schedule a consultation. We will assess your current inventory, usage patterns, and facility layout, and design a program that fits. Setup typically involves an on-site bin or Kanban replenishment system and an agreed restocking schedule.

SBS is a B2B supplier specializing in VMI services for OEM manufacturers operating under Long-Term Arrangements (LTAs). Pricing outside an LTA depends on variables including manufacturer lead time, economic order quantity, volume required, and customer location. We aim to provide a quote on any catalog part within 24 hours of request.

Contract Pricing is based on a Long-Term Arrangement (LTA) between SBS and your organization. If you see contract pricing on a part page, you are already enrolled. If you do not see contract pricing, request a quote first. Contact us to discuss setting up an LTA for regularly purchased items.

7.  Account & Ordering

The SBS website is primarily designed to support OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) customers operating under a Long-Term Arrangement (LTA) or VMI (Vendor-Managed Inventory) program with Specialty Bolt & Screw. While anyone can browse the catalog and technical resources freely, full website functionality â?? including pricing, ordering, RFQ submission, and the customer portal â?? is available to approved account holders. Access is reviewed and approved on a per-account basis.

Because SBS primarily serves OEM customers under LTA and VMI programs, website account credentials are not automatically granted to all requestors. If your access request was not approved or you are unsure of your status, please contact your assigned SBS Account Manager directly. They can clarify your account standing, initiate the approval process if appropriate, or assist you through alternative channels (phone, email, or direct RFQ).

If you do not know who your Account Manager is, call us at 800-322-7878 and we will connect you with the right person.

No â?? the product catalog, technical library, standards resources, datasheets, engineering tools, and reference guides are all publicly accessible without logging in. A registered and approved account is required only to access pricing, real-time availability, the customer portal, and online ordering or RFQ submission.

Approved customers with access to the customer portal can use a range of self-service tools depending on their account configuration, including:

  • Viewing contract pricing on parts covered under your LTA
  • Submitting and managing RFQs (Requests for Quote) online
  • Placing orders directly for parts with established pricing
  • Tracking open and historical orders
  • Reviewing purchase history and invoices
  • Managing saved parts lists and wish lists for repeat ordering
  • Accessing VMI-related reporting and replenishment details

The specific features available to your account depend on your arrangement with SBS. Speak with your Account Manager if you need access to a feature not currently enabled.

This depends on your account type. Customers with an active LTA and contract pricing can order directly online through the customer portal. Customers without an LTA will work through the RFQ process to receive a quote before an order can be placed. Contact your SBS Account Manager or call 800-322-7878 to discuss the right account setup for your organization.

If you are an existing SBS customer and are unsure who your Account Manager is, call us at 800-322-7878 or reach out via the Contact Us page. Provide your company name and we will connect you with your dedicated contact.

Your Account Manager is your primary point of contact for pricing, access approvals, VMI program management, and any escalated support needs.

Approved account holders can log in and visit the Track an Order page to view current order status and shipment information. For urgent inquiries, or if you do not have portal access, contact your SBS Account Manager or call 800-322-7878.

We appreciate the feedback. Use the Report Error / Update link in the Technical menu to submit a correction. Our team reviews all submissions and updates the catalog accordingly.

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