Bowlin Equipment Co — Local services in Berkeley

Edited (4/2018) to emphasize that THIS STORE IS A REGIONAL, IF NOT GLOBAL, TREASURE. Bolts and tools for bolts. And screws. Everything you need. And, yes, property prices have gone insane again. Damn, wish I had had the capital to buy low when I last submitted a review. But they're still here, thank god. Hoping for a crash soon.

Ok, proceed to original review. I have had the fortune of going here since the late 80s as an undergrad here. 50mm M8 bolts with a 1.0 fine pitch for doing a clutch job on old airhead BMWs? Check! Thread repair kits that actually work? Check! Industrial, rather than Oakland Hills/North Berkeley/Peninsula "Restoration Hardware" prices? Check!

If property value insanity ever reappears and threatens to force Bowlin out so that some developer can create a coffee/brick/heather-colored live-work loft space, I'm going to petition the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation for a grant to...

I have purchased bolts and other fixtures from Bowlin on several occasions. These folks are absolute pros in what they do and are more affordable that any of the local hardware stores in my area. Furthermore, they are just as eager to steer you clear of a dangerous decision should you be about to make one. I submit myself as an example. I built a small climbing wall in my yard. I purchased standard three-eighth inch black bolts to secure the holds not realizing that they would rust in the outdoors. When I called them to ask about getting stainless steel he informed me that the stainless in this application may in fact be dangerous, and if I just used a bit of WD40 regularly on the bolts I had already purchased I would have a stronger safer climbing wall and not have to spend more money. The stainless steel bolts are twice as expensive as the black ones. I recommend Bowlin Bolts as highly...

How did I not know about this place before?! Friendly fellows who know their stuff!

After poring over the aisles in several local hardware shops in search of a less popular configuration of machine screw made by the big company that supplies all the normal hardware stores, I came to Bowlin, named the size, and had exactly what I needed in hand a minute later. At a ridiculously low price.

They told me that their business is predominantly wholesale, but that didn't stop them from selling me 4 screws with a smile.

I'm sure this was the first of many visits....