5/8 inch SS washer sources

[MrAverage]

I'm in the process of collecting the parts to make a MLT out of cooler and, like many others, I have been unable to find a local source for the required 5/8" stainless steel washer. I've seached the forum and read many posts about when folks have found them and what substitutes might work, but aside from Fastenal and McMaster Carr, there seems to be a lack of reliable sources.

I have discovered that they are readily available at marine supply places and you can buy them in single or less than box full quantities (i.e. 10) and not have to pay an arm and a leg for shipping. Check out:

Jamestown Distributors
www.jamestowndistributors.com
(they also have this size washer in brass, which should also be food safe)

Mertons Fiberglass and Marine Supply http://www.mertons.com/Fastenings/index.html

(I've ordered other stuff from both of these places and they're very reliable)

West Marine also has them, but they're significantly more expensive than these other two places, especially when you add in the shipping. West Marine does, however, seem to have stores just about anywhere there is a large body of water with boats on it, so you may be able to find one in your area.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw this out there for folks who may be at a loss as to where to find these things.

 

[Fritztheelephant]

I just bought singles for .47 @ Menards on Thursday.

 

[Captain_Bigelow]

You try Fastenal? They have stores all over the USA.

 

[LooyvilleLarry]

Lowes, but you will have to look for them a bit. If it wasn't a clear violation of man-code, I'd suggest asking, but I didn't

 

[JayPowHound]

You try Fastenal? They have stores all over the USA.

That's where I found mine after Lowes and Home Depot FAILED!

 

[mjohnson]

I ended up giving up and bought the kit from Northern Brewer - I had run around and had everything except for washers and o-rings and couldn't find them. With all the running around I did the price difference is probably a wash.

 

[Surface_Tension]

Ace or True Value usually has a good selection.

 

[weirdboy]

I got mine at Lowe's I think.

If I were going to build another MLT I would make mine with a 1/2" port instead of 3/8" and use bigger everything, except the braid.

 

[lazybean]

bargain fittings has them too.

 

[vinyl_key]

OSH tends to have a decent collection of SS fittings

 

[DustBow]

Home Depot - look for a small box/package called "create a bolt" among all the other hardware.
Came w/ SS washers and a couple other SS pieces

 

[weirdboy]

If you haven't built the MLT yet, again I would highly recommend not using the parts list in the wiki, but scale everything up to use a 1/2" valve, etc. Trust me you will really appreciate that later on.

 

[Catt22]

If you haven't built the MLT yet, again I would highly recommend not using the parts list in the wiki, but scale everything up to use a 1/2" valve, etc. Trust me you will really appreciate that later on.

+1 1/2" ID minimum for everything is the way to go, including the ID of all fittings and connectors. Most people overlook the fact that the ID of a 1/2" hose barb fitting is really only about 3/8". That's about a 44% reduction in the cross sectional area. OTOH, this is only really important if you are using a pump and you desire high flow rates for some operations. This is also more important on the suction side of the pump than on the output side, but for optimum performance stick with at least 1/2" ID throughout.