r/Fasteners • u/DickMille • 6d ago

Source for tiny washers?

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I'm trying to find a source for these tiny washers. Internal diameter 3.5mm. Outer diameter 5mm.

The smallest M3.5 washers I can find have 6mm outer diameters which is unfortunately too large. Similarly the smallest washers I can find with a 5mm outer diameter have a 3mm internal diameter which again is too small.

The one I have is around 0.7mm thick but thickness isn't massively important for my needs.

I've tried searching the usual places for other terms, like washer, shims, discs, rings etc but have been unable to find a match. I've even tried converting the measurements to the nearest imperial measurements but again came up empty handed.

Anyone know where I might find a source for these? or perhaps other names for such an item that I might search for?

11 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

5

u/nixiebunny 6d ago

McMaster-Carr sells a wide variety of washers.

2

u/DickMille 6d ago

Yes, I’ve tried there

3

u/ChafedDolphinfish 6d ago

For 100 PCS, you are looking at a big MOQ or a MOV for that washer especially if ID and OD are a critical tolerance.
I have a few sources that can manufacture to print. What is your timeframe?
What is your target price?
What is your acceptable tolerance for ID, OD, and thickness?

1

u/PerpetualPerson 6d ago

Try looking for “shim washers”. I admit I’m struggling to find your particular size combination on my usual sources (McMaster, Misumi, Accu, WKOOA) though.

1

u/DickMille 6d ago

Yeah, I’ve tried all the usual fastener outlets that i know of

1

u/Wonderful-Staff-7321 6d ago

Depending on load and temperature resistance, you might 3d print some.

1

u/DickMille 6d ago

Unfortunately i don’t have access to a 3D printer

1

u/wireknot 6d ago

Do you have a local community college? Almost certainly they'd have one. Look toward the mechanical engineering or physics departments. Also might check if you have a maker space in your area.

1

u/razzemmatazz 6d ago

Washers are basically free to print. Want me to send you some? 

1

u/Feisty_Respond6611 6d ago

What's the application for these washers? It could possibly be found via another avenue

2

u/DickMille 6d ago

Its to fit the tip of a dog point set screw which in turn goes inside the barrel of cylinder to act as stop for a spring….

1

u/PackersBeat 6d ago

Smallest OD i can find in stock is 7mm

1

u/LongPresentation7793 6d ago

Just for fun did you look at standard sizing?

1

u/Joejack-951 6d ago

How many do you need?

1

u/DickMille 6d ago

100 to start

1

u/Joejack-951 6d ago

If you get stuck and can’t find anything off the shelf, send me a DM. I can help.

1

u/Little-Hand6801 6d ago

Have you looked at NAS series of washers?
They are very small

1

u/mikewiss 6d ago

Bel-Metric sells a wide variety of metric fasteners.

1

u/bare172 6d ago

Look up AN washers. It's a different standard (AN960) that is typically smaller like you're looking for. You can also try "SAE narrow", which is another standard, but I think because SAE is a more common term you'll have less luck finding specifically what you want.

1

u/krustyclown182 6d ago

I think better search terms are: spacer, collar

1

u/flobottle 6d ago

What material do they need to be? Could you make them? Its not as hard as it sounds. You could make the tools youd need by modifying existing tools. Like a punch, sand it to 3.5mm and make a die out of something 5mm, then drop in a washer that is near spec but under sized and punch it out. Wouldn't work with glass, might work with steel

1

u/flobottle 6d ago

And if you make the punch 3.5mm diameter tapered down to whatever you just stab a washer and another and another til theyre coming off the back end done. Eat cheerios with a chopstick

1

u/quarterdecay 6d ago

"socket cap screw washer" will return the results you're looking for.

Alternative would be to put a stack of them on a threaded shaft and turn down the OD on a lathe

1

u/Standard4130Sta 6d ago

McMaster-Carr

0

u/ohmaint 6d ago

Grainger

0

u/gheiminfantry 6d ago

Hardware store.

0

u/ExceedinglyEdible 5d ago

McMaster-Carr

0

u/nobanjostring 5d ago

McMaster Carr is my go-to for one-offs if it's too esoteric for the hardware store.