Best Nut, Bolt & Fastener Assortments to Stock (2026)
By The DIYPicks Team · Updated July 2026
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A good fastener assortment turns a two-trip repair into a five-minute fix. We picked a metric nut-bolt-washer kit, a rust-proof stainless small-parts set, plus the lag screws and carriage bolts worth stocking for heavier wood jobs.
A tidy, inexpensive metric nut-bolt-washer kit that covers the most common M5–M8 repairs. Buy it for the workshop drawer, not for outdoor or structural work.
- General repair
- Metric hardware
- Workshop stock
Pros
- Real matched sets — bolts, nuts and washers in the same M5/M6/M8 sizes so you can actually complete a joint, not just fill drawers
- Reusable divided case keeps sizes sorted and is easy to grab off a shelf
- Cheap enough (~$10) to keep on hand for appliance, furniture and equipment repairs
Cons
- Metric only — useless for the SAE/inch hardware still common on US tools and machinery
- Zinc plating is indoor/light-duty corrosion protection; it will rust outdoors or in damp areas
- Bolts top out around 25–40mm long, so nothing here works for thick stack-ups
The go-to for small, rust-prone repairs — eyeglasses to grills to electronics. Stainless is the reason to buy it; just don't expect anything structural.
- General repair
- Electronics small parts
- Rust proof
Pros
- 304 stainless resists rust, so it works outdoors and on anything that gets wet — a real upgrade over zinc kits
- Includes both flat and split-lock washers plus matching nuts for genuine small-fastener repairs
- Labeled compartment box makes finding an M3 vs M4 fast
Cons
- Small sizes only (M2–M5) — nothing here is structural or load-bearing
- Pan-head Phillips strips easily if you over-torque soft stainless
- Metric machine screws, not SAE, and no larger hex bolts
The clean, self-locking way to bolt two pieces of wood together. Perfect where you can reach both sides; pair with a nut and washer and go galvanized outdoors.
- Wood joints
- Through bolting
- Playsets decks
Pros
- Square shoulder under the head sinks into wood and self-locks, so you tighten the nut with one wrench — no second tool to hold the head
- Smooth domed head is tamper-resistant and won't snag — ideal for benches, playsets, fences and gates
- Full-length machine thread gives a strong, removable clamped joint through two pieces of wood
Cons
- Needs a through-hole plus a nut and washer (bought separately) — more parts than a lag screw
- Only grips in wood; the square shoulder spins in metal or oversized holes
- Zinc finish will rust outdoors — choose galvanized or stainless for exterior playsets and docks
The workhorse for pulling heavy things tight to studs and joists. Match diameter and length to the load, always drill a pilot hole, and step up to galvanized for anything outdoors.
- Heavy into wood
- Into studs
- Ledgers brackets
Pros
- Coarse threads bite deep into wood for serious holding power — the right pick for TV brackets, ledgers and heavy shelving into studs
- Hex head lets you apply high torque with a socket without cam-out
- Sold loose by exact diameter and length, so you buy only what the job needs
Cons
- Almost always needs a pre-drilled pilot hole — skip it and you'll split the wood or snap the screw
- Zinc plating isn't for outdoor/pressure-treated lumber (use hot-dip galvanized or stainless there)
- Requires a wrench or socket — no quick driving with a bare drill bit
Still deciding? Compare them
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between a bolt and a screw in these kits?
- In practice, a bolt passes through a hole and is tightened with a nut, while a screw threads directly into the material. Assortment kits like Hillman's mix hex bolts with matching nuts and washers; a lag screw is really a heavy wood screw with a hex head, and a carriage bolt is nut-tightened through wood.
- Should I buy zinc-plated or stainless steel?
- Zinc-plated is fine and cheaper for indoor and dry-area repairs. For anything outdoors, damp, or in pressure-treated lumber, choose stainless or hot-dip galvanized — zinc plating will corrode and stain within a season or two.
- Do I need both metric and SAE assortments?
- If you work on both cars/appliances (often metric) and older US hardware and lumber (often SAE/inch), yes. Metric and inch threads are not interchangeable, so many DIYers keep one small kit of each.