We recommend these zinc-plated steel L-brackets for bracing weak table legs or mounting lesser shelves, but you could also pass out a couple to anyone who asks for your brackets at basketball tournament time. Measure 4" x 5" x 1-5/16" at their widest, with (6) countersunk 3/16” mounting holes.

These steel compression springs are 3/4” long x 1/2” dia and made of 1/32” thick stock. Compressed right here in the US of A.

These small spring hose clamps are 5/8" dia when resting and 11/16" dia when squeezed to the max, which not coincidentally are the minimum/maximum ODs of the hoses they will clamp shut. We've all got something that needs pinching every now and then, don't we?

This small compression spring measures 1" dia x 1-1/8" tall and is made from 1/16" dia 316-type stainless steel, designed for marine or other aquatic applications. Go mount a bouncing turtle.

In big quantities. And dirt cheap. The dark brown plastic, 1-11/16" squares with one corner cut off at a 45° angle are approx 1/16" thick, with a raised center square, a 9/16" hole in the center, and peel-off really-self-adhesive backing. For art projects, air vents for snake cages, wall plates for cable runs, or something. Please.

Buncha studs. You get (10) steel automotive wheel studs, 1-7/8" long over all, with 1" of 15/32" threaded, then 11/16" of 5/8" dia, 5/16" of which is serrated, and finally a 13/16" head marked 372 ABN 10.9.

This one will do, particularly if you’re hanging up something substantial, and you need a hook that looks sort of like a question mark. Brass-plated steel, 4-3/4” long with a 1” ID and made from 3/8” stock. The last 2-1/4” have a 3/8-16 thread waiting for a nut you could find in any hardware store.

What do you give a plumber for his birthday? We recommend some longer T-shirts and maybe some of these 3/8” white PVC 90-degree elbow fittings. Fittings are 3/8” ID and a tad over 1” long on both legs; they come with mating nuts and gaskets.

It’s not for your serious security needs, but it will probably keep a 9-year-old out of his sister’s diary. Our smallest brass padlock measures 1-1/4” tall with a 5/8” shackle, and comes with (2) tiny keys. Lose your keys much? Lock them to a belt loop and put the key in your shoe.

Clamp those hoses. Try this package of (4) steel hose clamps, all at 1/2” wide, but in diameters of 1-1/2” to 2-1/4”; 1-13/16" to 2-3/4"; 2-9/16" to 3-1/2", and 3-9/16" to 4-1/2". You’ll get (2) sets of (4).

Stick these clear vinyl suction cups with aluminum J-hooks on your shower wall and you’ll have someplace to hang that nylon mesh poof thingy that there’s no place to put. Some of us here (the smart ones) pack these to stick on hotel bathroom walls because there are never, ever, enough hooks there. You’ll get (12) per package: (6) 7/8” dia with 1/4” hooks, (4) at 1-11/16” dia with 7/16” hooks, and (2) at 2” dia with 7/16” hooks.

1-7/8" dia. green, brown or orange hard plastic balls with a 1-1/4" ID x 1-1/2" deep hole on one side. Use them as slippery chair feet, as knobs on the ends of levers or tops of canes or even as protective caps for sharp pole ends. The tapered inner veins will provide a tight friction fit. You get an assortment of colors.

That would be us. Nuts from America? That would be these made-in-the-USA locking nuts, 1-1/16" hex with an 11/16" - 12 thread, and just under 7/16" thick.

Your ordinary generic everyday plain old steel hinge measures 2" long x 1-1/2" wide when open with a 1/8" axle and mounting holes just a hair under 1/4". Comes with screws, as they will. Ordinary, yes, but necessary.

Actually, we like hooks and eyes, especially when they have screws on the other end and they're great for hanging stuff from. You choose. Our 1-3/8" long steel screw eyes have 3/8" IDs. You'll get (2) packs with (10) screw eyes in each, which will hang up to (20) things--and we did that math all in our head. Our 4" long screw hooks have a 1" ID and we've got them because the package says they're 4-1/8" long. Ain't surplus wonderful? You'll get (2) packs, or (4) hooks altogether. Let the hanging begin.

No. Ladder locks are those ubiquitous little flat buckles with rungs not unlike ladders. You thread straps through them so they lock but are still easily adjustable. You’ll get (2) per pack, (16) pieces altogether, made for use with 3/4” strapping. Measure 1” x 1-1/2” x 1/4” thick in black plastic.

The world of surplus works in mysterious ways. Here we have assorted V-shaped aluminum channels 5-3/4" long x 5/8" wide across the 120° Vs. Picture these nestled behind glass thermometer tubes, imprinted with assorted scales, each with a small mounting hole at the top, maybe tiny crimp-clips to mount the thermometer that isn't there, and a diamond-shaped opening at the bottom for the glass bulb that also isn't there. Then add your own thermometers, use them as teaching aids, string 'em together for tracks or marble runs, or get really creative.

A bright little flashlight with (8) super-bright white LEDs in a circle and a less-than-5mW red laser right in the middle. One click and it's a flashlight, another click and it's a laser pointer. (Note: flashlight and pointer can't be on at the same time.) Measures 4-3/8" long x 1-1/8" dia in assorted colors dark silver, red or blue aluminum with knurled grips at both ends. Lasts 30 hours on a set of new alkaline batteries (3 "AAA" heavy duty batteries included).