# Where can I get some tiny bolts/screws and nuts? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 31, 2008, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329 "2008-03-31T00:22:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/1 "2008-03-31T00:22:55Z")
My glasses have a tiny screw that holds the left lens in place; if the screw comes out, the metal oval that holds the lens separates into two pieces and the lens falls out. Unfortunately, the hole that the screw screws into has become stripped somehow, and so it no longer holds the two pieces together. But if I could find a tiny nut and bolt, or even just a tiny bolt since I have some tiny screws that seem like they would work, I could tighten it back together that way instead of relying on the stripped hole to do the job. Does anybody know where to find something like that? Like most glasses screws, we’re talking teeny tiny stuff here, like a millimeter in diameter or so. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/2 "2008-03-31T00:33:38Z")
The simplest thing is to go to an optometrist or eyeglass store. They should have the necessary tools and spare screws. And in my experience, they’ll take care of this sort of thing for free. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/3 "2008-03-31T00:39:38Z")
Ace hardware sells tiny nuts and bolts, but as **Dewy Finn** notes, an eyeglass shop is probably a better choice. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/4 "2008-03-31T00:44:31Z")
Also, lots of stores have these little eyeglass repair kits for about $1 or so. I’ve seen them at numerous dollar stores and Walmart and such. They come with the little screwdrivers screws and other little things you might need to get the glasses up and running. ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/5 "2008-03-31T01:02:17Z")
I have tiny screws from eyeglass repair kits, but screws alone won’t do it – I need something to tighten down on the end of the screw to hold the glasses together. Hence, a tiny nut-and-bolt, or something along those lines. I’ll check Ace Hardware to see if they have some that are small enough. When my glasses broke before (in a different spot) I took them back to Costco, where I got them, and they repaired them for free, so I’m sure they would do it again. I just don’t know if they’d have the proper equipment–they had a lot of tiny screws, but I didn’t see any tiny nuts. (Man, this thread is filled with pun potential.) ---
**Author:** ![Hokkaido\_Brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@Hokkaido\_Brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokkaido_Brit)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/6 "2008-03-31T01:20:35Z")
I repaired mine with a similar problem by putting a tiny drop of strong glue on the screw and screwing it back in. It held for another year. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/7 "2008-03-31T02:20:16Z")
[QUOTE=Hokkaido Brit] I repaired mine with a similar problem by putting a tiny drop of strong glue on the screw and screwing it back in. It held for another year. [/QUOTE] I repaired mine by dipping the screw in clear nail polish before replacing it in the frame. For good or bad, it is likely a permanent solution. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/8 "2008-03-31T02:44:46Z")
Here’s a cosmetically acceptable and reversible solution that will work until you find a screw or change glasses. I have used it several times. Get some 10-12 lb test clear nylon mono-filament fishing line. Thread it through the screw hole once of twice, then draw it tightly together and tie it off with a knot and clip the knot close with fingernail clippers. If done properly this is a virtually invisible fix and should last as long as the glasses. ---
**Author:** ![J\_Cubed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@J\_Cubed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J_Cubed)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/9 "2008-03-31T03:41:35Z")
[QUOTE=chorpler] I just don’t know if they’d have the proper equipment–they had a lot of tiny screws, but I didn’t see any tiny nuts. [/QUOTE] To be fair, we’re talking about you being unable to see tiny things without your glasses on… :smack: ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/10 "2008-03-31T03:42:39Z")
Get better frames. Due to whatever factors in the shape of my head, every single pair of glasses I’ve ever worn keeps unscrewing on the left side. This has been a constant problem over the years. Until 3 years ago, when I took my new prescription to a more “upscale” store, told the salesperson about this problem, and got two new pairs that have kept the screws in. The screws were designed to \*\*\*never \*\*\*come out, no matter what. Definitely worth the extra cost. ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/11 "2008-03-31T04:10:03Z")
[QUOTE=missred] I repaired mine by dipping the screw in clear nail polish before replacing it in the frame. For good or bad, it is likely a permanent solution. [/QUOTE] Actually no, it is the preferred solution according to my optician. She told me that clear nail polish is fine because it can be dissolved in acetone, but if I used superglue I was on my own. I had a very nice frame, but the screw on one side would always loosen to the point where it had worn out the threads. Her solution was to replace it with a bolt, and put a nut on the exposed side. This is seriously tiny hardware. Along the same lines and hoping it is not too much of a hijack: I’ve had clock faces with predrilled holes that I’ve had to screw into plywood backing. Finding screws small enough for those holes has been tough so if anyone knows of a supplier I’d be grateful. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/12 "2008-03-31T04:16:21Z")
[QUOTE=Plynck] Actually no, it is the preferred solution according to my optician. She told me that clear nail polish is fine because it can be dissolved in acetone, but if I used superglue I was on my own. I had a very nice frame, but the screw on one side would always loosen to the point where it had worn out the threads. Her solution was to replace it with a bolt, and put a nut on the exposed side. This is seriously tiny hardware. Along the same lines and hoping it is not too much of a hijack: I’ve had clock faces with predrilled holes that I’ve had to screw into plywood backing. Finding screws small enough for those holes has been tough so if anyone knows of a supplier I’d be grateful. [/QUOTE] Lots of hobby/craft shops sell really tiny screws for model work. ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/13 "2008-03-31T05:23:57Z")
[QUOTE=Plynck] Actually no, it is the preferred solution according to my optician. She told me that clear nail polish is fine because it can be dissolved in acetone, but if I used superglue I was on my own. [/QUOTE] Acetone is also a good solvent for cyanoacrylate glue. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/14 "2008-03-31T06:45:23Z")
[QUOTE=mks57] Acetone is also a good solvent for cyanoacrylate glue. [/QUOTE] It will also potentially damage the plastic lens or plastic eyepieces if not handled with extreme care. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/15 "2008-03-31T11:32:49Z")
From a tiny Frankenstein and a tiny squirrel, of course! ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/16 "2008-03-31T15:28:14Z")
[QUOTE=astro] It will also potentially damage the plastic lens or plastic eyepieces if not handled with extreme care. [/QUOTE] Good point there. The vapors coming out of cyanoacrylate adhesives can fog nearby plastics. It was bad enough on a turntable cover, and it would be a mortal wound to an eyeglass lens. ETA: if you need small nuts, bolts, screws, etc., the aptly named [www.smallparts.com](http://www.smallparts.com) sells machine screws as small as #000 x 1/16" long. ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/17 "2008-04-01T01:07:07Z")
Wow, thanks for all the advice, folks. But I have a question: what does clear nail polish do? ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/18 "2008-04-01T01:31:50Z")
It acts as an adhesive. Kind of like super glue ™ or other glues would. I, personally, find it easier to handle. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/19 "2008-04-01T02:10:26Z")
[QUOTE=Uncommon Sense] Also, lots of stores have these little eyeglass repair kits for about $1 or so. I’ve seen them at numerous dollar stores and Walmart and such. [/QUOTE] I’ve seen these at Walgreen’s and CVS as well. ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329/20 "2008-04-01T02:17:24Z")
[QUOTE=beowulff] Ace hardware sells tiny nuts and bolts… [/QUOTE] Seconded. The older the Ace Hardware store the better. In my travels as a Street Mechanic I’ve always found, within any city, at least one store, with hardwood floors, dusty merchandise, and a collection of fasteners to die for. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-some-tiny-bolts-screws-and-nuts/443329.md?page=2)