McMaster-Carr

They are like the Wal-Mart of industrial parts and supplies. You'll find just about anything, it will be available quickly and cheaply, but you won't always get the highest quality. I haven't needed to call for support, but they are a large distributor so I would assume there is support available.

Strengths: Huge selection across many categories, competitive pricing for low or high quantity, fast shipping, quality is generally good. Terrific website with full part descriptions and easy interface for ordering.

Needs to improve: Quality is not always the best, but you get what you pay for.

If you are close to a distribution point, they are great. You can get most things in a day or two without paying for the extra expedited delivery cost. Use them for prototyping and low volume. When you need to go to higher quantities, find other places to source your components.

Strengths: Large variety of screws, rod stock, plastics etc. Online catalog to place orders. Many distribution warehouse locations to allow for quick delivery.

Needs to improve: Website can be tricky to use to find the part you need. Overnight shipping can get expensive fast.

Purchased hundreds of items from connectors, hardware, pneumatic and fluid fittings, dc motors, etc. from them,. They are always quick to get products to you.

Strengths: Thousands of products in stock and quick shipping for nearly everything

Needs to improve: Trying to get a spec sheet out of McMaster Carr is difficult. They usually send one without the manufacturer's name, so that they can keep in disguised. Usually, one can figure it out but the manufacturer's part number or description on the spec sheet. Often, they will not provide them.

McMaster has just about everything, and while brand names can be a little difficult to determine from the website, if you call they will be more helpful than you expect and will tell you everything you need to know. AND if you can't find it, they will search it out for you. Seriously, just plan on ordering everyday before 6 to keep your prototypes flowing.

Strengths: They have everything. Including an incredible website.

Needs to improve: none - except I have to wait until tomorrow for the delivery.

McMaster Carr is a very big part of our daily lives. If we need anything for our lab or manufacturing floor, McMaster Carr is the first place we look and we usuall find what we need. The prices are very competitive and the shipping service is fast. We can usually get our orders over night if we pay a little extra.

Strengths: McMaster-Carr sells everything that a manufacturing/R&D company would need and if they do not sell it, it probably does not exist.

Needs to improve: None

we keep a large amount of their plastic tubing in stock that we use for our dialysis machines daily. in the lab we use a lot of it for tress tests and prototypes as well. the tubing always passes the stress tests with flying colors but every so often the pressure will for it off of our transducers but for the most part we rely on the tubing heavily and it always impresses.

Strengths: great quality
very reliable
durable
flexible

Needs to improve: no weakness

I place an order at least once per moth with McMaster Carr. They ship quickly and stock a wide variety of parts and components. Huge Thumbs up!

Strengths: The ultimate stop for all your industrial parts and components supplies. McMaster is always at the top of my list when I'm looking for odds and ends. They offer an endless catalog with prices that are difficult to beat.

Needs to improve: There web site can be confusing and odd parts can be difficult to find using common search functions.

Nicely done fitted tubings for our medical machines. We use it for our pump motors to air supply as a bridge for air circulation used for our medical machines. Funtionality wise is outstanding. Good quality plastic tubing. In the contrary part, whenever we ran out of this parts, it is not easy for us to reach them for some reason.

Strengths: nice fitting tubing, good quality plastic tubing, strong and durable product.

Needs to improve: Not easy to reach when we ran out of parts.

We use McMaster-Carr as a source for almost all of our engineering prototypes. While exploring what is out there, I sometimes just go and peruse their website to find more info.

Strengths: McMaster-Carr has an incredible selection of parts and raw materials and moves everything very quickly. We use them all the time for getting materials for engineering prototypes. The information they have on their site is very useful.

Needs to improve: They charge a premium, but have great turnaround, selection, customer service, and product information.

Our company has taken advantage of McMaster-Carr's expansive catalog of fasteners and joints for use in constructing outdoor signs and displays. Their inventory of tamper-resistant nuts and drivers are imperative for our business. Their website is ideal as it lays out all the measurements and prices and their customer service staff is there to help fill in the blanks. Online ordering also simplifies the process. This vendor does it right and is highly recommended.

Strengths: Huge catalog.

Needs to improve: None.

I like how they include CAD files with some of their items. I get to see actual dimensions of the item i am buying. Their costumer service is also superior and will help you find what you need.

Strengths: One stop shop!! From the smallest screw to big machinery. Shipping is fast! if you order before 4pm (pacific time for us) I can get the package the next day. We usually get our raw materials, tools, cabinets, and hardware from them.

Needs to improve: none!

Customer Service is Helpful - Wide selection - Reliable quality products - Pricing is competitive - Fast turnaround - Accurate quotes

Strengths: Our company order from McMaster-Carr mainly for their Fastening & Joining products such as, U-Bolts, Eye-Bolts, Anchors, and Shims. Their product is reliable and durable. No complaints. Quotes are accurate and price is competitive. Customer service is responsive. Delivery is on time. A good vendor to have as a source for washFastening & Joining products. I would recommend to others.

Needs to improve: None

Fast delivery, quality products; you can learn from their catalog.

Strengths: Product quality. You know you will get a quality product when you order from them. The shipping is also very fast (next day delivery).
Their catalog is probably one of the most user friendly ones on the web period.

Needs to improve: The prices are a bit high. While for 90% of the products the selection is awesome, for some specialty products (especially larger ones, e.g., ovens) the selection is not that good.

McMaster is a staple of the Medical Device start-up. There was a time when everyone would fight over the limited supply of catalogs, but the website is now so awesome that the catalogs go right int he rubbish bin. McMaster stocks thousands (probably millions) of parts, components and pieces of equipment. I just wish there was a warehouse closer so that I could get same day delivery!

Strengths: Next day delivery of nearly anything you need.

Needs to improve: None

This company is always outstanding on supplying us products they have wide selections on your needs
Also they have good service process making ordering and shipping fast so any emergency orders they will take it on a resonable price which is good on our part and their part
They can also work with good deals on large orders.
Over all ill give this company a 5 star

Strengths: Reliable service
Good products
Good quality
Customer service

Needs to improve: None

McMaster-Carr is my go-to supplier for any materials I may need to design fixtures or do feasibility testing on products. They also have an extensive inventory of screws, and fasteners. Their extremely fast shipping makes development work go much smoother because I don't have to wait long to get my supplies in.

Strengths: - large supply of many items
- same day shipping
- helpful customer service

Needs to improve: - do not carry metric sizes in some items

McMaster Carr has consistently provided products with short lead times. I have even received products the same day they were ordered.

Strengths: McMaster Carr provides a vast selection of industrial supplies with a very short lead time. Their simply website allows for identification of the needed supplies.

Needs to improve: McMaster does not provide supplier information for their products making it difficult to locate specific parts. This can be a challenge when trying to replace existing parts in equipment.

McMaster has always been our go to place for supplies. I often place orders late in the day but always get them the next day. That is amazing! Huge selection of inventory. Fast shipping and super friendly customer service makes Mcmaster the company to beat. We have never had an issue with an order. I wouldn't know what to do with MC.

Strengths: Carries just about everything an engineer would need

Needs to improve: None

This is your place for quick off the shelf products. they carry a ton of components that will fit all your needs and can ship it next day for you. Sometimes, even same day if you are close enough and order time. great for last minute needs if you have enough in your project budget to meet the needs.

Strengths: Quick turnaround at a one stop shop with lots of inventory

Needs to improve: pricing.

This is one stop shop for engineering supplies as they almost have everything. They carry a wide selection of metalware, plasticware, hardware components that can satisfy your inventory. They actually now have an iPhone/iPad app where you can check all their products and can also order from your mobile device. Sweet!

Strengths: Vast selection of basically everything (metal, plastic, electrical, tubing, hardware, etc.) that you can utilize to fill up your inventory.

Needs to improve: Pricing