4 ms·

McMaster Carr is pretty great if you're American. For the rest of us, there's Misumi!

johnwalkr 6y ago
They're both great! Mcmaster is the greatest website of all time. Sometimes the premium is 200% above other sources, but nobody cares because they can save so much time using Mcmaster. Misumi's configurable products that are machined to order are also a gamechanger, particularly on the Japanese site which has a lot wider variety. And they are hiring robotics engineers which should give interesting results.
- IgorPartola 6y ago
  MC could really use a shipping estimator. I remember ordering a $10 thing and getting charged $40 after shipping, which I didn’t m or would happen until after it shipped. Other than that I agree.
- tonyarkles 6y ago
  To add to the “greatest website of all time” aspect, they provide STEP files of a ton of those parts (maybe all of them?). When you’re drawing up a project like the OP’s in CAD, you can import the STEP file of the parts from McMaster and verify fit right there. If you’re using Fusion 360, there’s a button right in the app to browse McMaster and download the model! And... if you need a part with a particular shape but not necessarily the strength of metal... shhhh... you can just 3D print it yourself from the STEP file.
- jbay808 6y ago
  It's a good website. It looks like they finally support tabbed browsing, but a less rigidly-enforced product hierarchy and better support of metric measurements would make it a lot better. For example when I'm buying a sheet of steel, this list ordering isn't as easy to work with as it could be: 3/32", 0.095", 0.1", 1/8", 0.134"..., 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm...
IshKebab 6y ago
Not really though because Misumi only sell to companies. McMaster Carr sell to anyone.
- jbay808 6y ago
  I think that's backward. Misumi let me create an account and buy whatever I want as a private individual, even in Canada. McMaster refused to ship to anyone here except for "trusted institutions" like verified companies and universities.
  - IshKebab 6y ago
    Not in the UK. I need to provide a VAT number.

They're both great! Mcmaster is the greatest website of all time. Sometimes the premium is 200% above other sources, but nobody cares because they can save so much time using Mcmaster. Misumi's configurable products that are machined to order are also a gamechanger, particularly on the Japanese site which has a lot wider variety. And they are hiring robotics engineers which should give interesting results.

IgorPartola 6y ago
MC could really use a shipping estimator. I remember ordering a $10 thing and getting charged $40 after shipping, which I didn’t m or would happen until after it shipped. Other than that I agree.
tonyarkles 6y ago
To add to the “greatest website of all time” aspect, they provide STEP files of a ton of those parts (maybe all of them?). When you’re drawing up a project like the OP’s in CAD, you can import the STEP file of the parts from McMaster and verify fit right there. If you’re using Fusion 360, there’s a button right in the app to browse McMaster and download the model! And... if you need a part with a particular shape but not necessarily the strength of metal... shhhh... you can just 3D print it yourself from the STEP file.
jbay808 6y ago
It's a good website. It looks like they finally support tabbed browsing, but a less rigidly-enforced product hierarchy and better support of metric measurements would make it a lot better. For example when I'm buying a sheet of steel, this list ordering isn't as easy to work with as it could be: 3/32", 0.095", 0.1", 1/8", 0.134"..., 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm...

IshKebab 6y ago

Not really though because Misumi only sell to companies. McMaster Carr sell to anyone.

jbay808 6y ago
I think that's backward. Misumi let me create an account and buy whatever I want as a private individual, even in Canada. McMaster refused to ship to anyone here except for "trusted institutions" like verified companies and universities.
- IshKebab 6y ago
  Not in the UK. I need to provide a VAT number.