While we're discussing buying bolts. I have found farm stores to be a good source of carbon steel bolts at reasonable prices.
One that is close to me is Atwoods, a small chain out of Enid, OK. They sell bolts, nuts and washers by the pound, usually for about half the price you pay in a hardware store. They are manufactured in the USA by Rockford Bolt & Steel. Their grade 5 fasteners are cad plated, which is the golden finish you see on grade 8's at the hardware store. The plating on their grade 8 bolts is a funky blue color, not sure what kind of plating it is. If I use them I paint over the blue bolts.
