Faceted washers part # 7029840

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Oddjob

Well-Known Member
I recently bought a RER model M281019BE (1999) for $50. It was being sold for scrap because a mower shop told the owner that the governor had failed inside the crankcase. I bought the mower mostly for the tires which were in better shape than the ones on my M28085 (1984). But the rest of the mower was in such good shape that I decided to do an autopsy on the engine and see if it could be fixed. Long story short, the engine was fine. The nut and bolt that holds the governor arm to the governor shaft was missing, as was a spring. That would explain why the seller said that it over revved and he shut it down. So now I am restoring the mower. All the mechanical issues are sorted and the mower runs well. But the rectangular tubular frame that holds the grass bag and the plastic hood was broken at the weld. I fixed that but in taking the hood and dust skirt off I saw that one fastener (faceted washer) was missing and another was damaged. These are no longer made and the used ones are rare and pricey. Regular nuts do not fit on the threaded posts. I know that I could just drill a hole in the post and use a washer and cotter pin, but thought I’d see if anyone has a better idea. I have taps and dies and might be able to cut standard threads on these posts, but that seems like overkill.
 
This washer has been superseded to “Snapper 704315 Washer, 5/16”. I’ve seen them at auto parts stores and I’m lucky to have an old fashion hardware store which carries them. A little searching in your area will probably give you success in solving this problem.
 
My lord all they are is thread cutting push nuts and the ones for a 5//16 stud are only $12 for 50 plus shipping.

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Companies are bad about making names for common items to justify their price gouging.

Personally I use McMaster-Carr for most of my hardware needs but I buy screws and nuts in bulk.By doing this I could sell at what it cost from an OEM and still make a huge profit but I don't. I charge what I consider a fair mark up.

Now course the 50% metal tariffs are now hitting all prices as most of the hardware. It is still better to pay the JackA extortion fees and save my customers and myself the costs of OEM hardware. Otherwords I rather pay a total of $1.00 for a $3.00 OEM screw.
 
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I was astonished when I went to buy some large flat steel washers that they cost 50 cents each. I assumed that was due to the tariffs but after researching learned that most of the increased cost was due to so many steel mills shutting down during the pandemic. There weren’t that many still operating in the US even before 2019, so when 2 or 3 decided that the economic turndown would lower demand, they preemptively shuttered their plants. Turned out that demand stayed high because so many people chose to remodel their homes and replace stoves, refrigerators, dish washers, washer/dryers, etc while they were working from home and not eating out, going on vacations, or buying gas. Demand has never come down so prices have stayed high. The tariffs made things worse.
 
StarTech said:
Companies are bad about making names for common items to justify their price gouging.

Personally I use McMaster-Carr for most of my hardware needs but I buy screws and nuts in bulk.By doing this I could sell at what it cost from an OEM and still make a huge profit but I don't. I charge what I consider a fair mark up.

Now course the 50% metal tariffs are now hitting all prices as most of the hardware. It is still better to pay the JackA extortion fees and save my customers and myself the costs of OEM hardware. Otherwords I rather pay a total of $1.00 for a $3.00 OEM screw.
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McMaster Car is first class no doubt. I have found quality fasteners with lower shipping cost at Boltdepot.com. Restoring a 30 yr old Z3 and the OE Bolts were pushing $100 for 5. MC had them but shipping cost seemed high so I shopped around and found BD. BMW calls many of their fasteners “single use” so I follow their rules.
 
For me shipping time does come into play. But if time factor not so close then it is however has the best overall cost.

Just ordered two 6"3/4" heavy material removal grinding wheels and ten 7/16-20 3.25 grade 8 screws from McMasters Carr. Shc was 13.67 and they will arrive the next day if I had ordered early enough but I didn't so it is Monday instead. And actually the customer is getting the two wheels and paying the SHC.
 
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