Assorted Fixings

About Assorted Fixings

Assorted fixings represent an essential category for any professional tradesperson or serious DIY enthusiast, providing comprehensive collections of fastening solutions that eliminate the frustration of searching for individual components mid-job. These carefully curated kits contain everything from clevis pins and split pins to grub screws, spring roll pins, hammer fixings, and specialised automotive components like sump plug washers. Whether you're working on vehicle maintenance, general construction, furniture assembly, or equipment repair, having an organised assortment of fixings saves valuable time on site and reduces costly delays caused by missing components.

The selection at Tooled-Up.com includes high-quality fixing kits from trusted manufacturers including Sealey, DeWalt, and Draper, offering comprehensive solutions for virtually any assembly, repair, or installation task. Professional-grade assortments typically range from 50 to over 500 pieces, featuring organised storage cases with compartmentalised designs that keep different sizes and types clearly separated for quick identification. This systematic approach to fastener storage proves particularly valuable for mobile tradespeople who need to respond to varied on-site challenges, as well as workshop-based professionals who prioritise efficiency and organisation in their daily operations.

From thermal insulation supports and conduit clips to metal brackets and pipework installations, assorted fixing kits provide versatile solutions across numerous applications. Many comprehensive collections include both metric and imperial sizes, offering maximum versatility when working with modern equipment alongside older British machinery. With brands like Sealey offering specialist automotive assortments containing over 500 pieces, and DeWalt providing stackable organiser solutions for hammer fixings and wall anchors, tradespeople can maintain professional standards whilst ensuring they're always prepared for unexpected fastening requirements.

Jargon Buster

• Clevis Pin: A fastener consisting of a cylindrical shaft with a head on one end and a hole at the other for securing with a split pin. Commonly used in mechanical linkages, agricultural equipment, and applications where regular disassembly is required.
• Split Pin (Cotter Pin): A metal fastener with two tines that are bent during installation to secure components. Available in metric and imperial sizes, these pins prevent nuts and bolts from loosening through vibration, making them essential for automotive and machinery applications.
• Grub Screw (Set Screw): A headless screw with a recessed drive, typically hex or Allen key. Used to secure rotating components like pulleys, gears, and collars onto shafts without protruding from the surface.
• Spring Roll Pin (Tension Pin): A hollow cylindrical fastener with a slot running down its length. The spring tension holds it firmly in place within a drilled hole, making it ideal for locating and securing components in shear load applications.
• Linch Pin: A fastener inserted through a hole to prevent components from sliding off a shaft or axle. Features a loop or handle for easy insertion and removal, commonly used in agricultural and trailer equipment.
• Bonded Seal: A washer with an integrated rubber or bonded sealing element, typically manufactured to BSP (British Standard Pipe) or metric specifications. Used in hydraulic and pneumatic applications to create reliable seals at threaded connections.

Who Uses Assorted Fixings?

Assorted fixing kits are invaluable across numerous trades and applications:

• Motor Mechanics and Auto Electricians: For vehicle repairs, engine work, and automotive maintenance requiring clevis pins, split pins, and sump plug washers
• Agricultural Engineers: Regular users of linch pins, clevis pins, and heavy-duty split pins for farm machinery and equipment maintenance
• General Builders and Carpenters: For construction work requiring hammer fixings, wall plugs, and general-purpose fasteners across diverse applications
• Maintenance Engineers: Industrial and commercial maintenance professionals requiring diverse fixing solutions for equipment repair and servicing
• Plumbers and Heating Engineers: Using bonded seals and specialised fixings for pipework installations and system maintenance
• Plant Hire and Equipment Operators: Maintaining and repairing heavy machinery with appropriate pins and fasteners
• Electricians: Installing conduit clips, cable management systems, and electrical enclosures using hammer fixings and wall anchors
• DIY Enthusiasts and Home Improvers: Tackling various projects requiring reliable, organised assortments of common fixings
• Workshop Managers and Facilities Teams: Maintaining comprehensive stocks of fixings for diverse repair and maintenance tasks

How to Choose the Right Assorted Fixings

Application and Trade Specificity: Consider your primary work area when selecting an assortment. Automotive professionals benefit from kits containing sump plug washers, clevis pins, and split pins, whilst general builders require comprehensive wall fixing and anchor collections. Electricians should prioritise hammer fixing kits for conduit and cable management installations, whereas agricultural engineers need specialist pin assortments suited to machinery maintenance.

Metric versus Imperial Sizing: UK tradespeople typically work with metric measurements, but older equipment and imported machinery may require imperial fixings. Many comprehensive assortments from Sealey include both metric and imperial sizes, offering maximum versatility. Consider whether your typical applications involve BSP threads or metric equivalents, particularly for bonded seal requirements in plumbing and hydraulic work.

Quantity and Size Range: Larger assortments containing 300+ pieces provide better value and ensure you're less likely to run short mid-job, whilst smaller kits of 50-150 pieces offer improved portability for mobile tradespeople. Examine which sizes you use most frequently—collections heavily weighted towards common dimensions prove more practical than assortments with equal quantities of rarely-used sizes. Kits available from Tooled-Up range from compact 50-piece linch pin sets to comprehensive 555-piece split pin collections.

Storage and Organisation: Look for kits with compartmentalised cases featuring clear labelling. Quality storage boxes from brands like Sealey and DeWalt protect fixings from moisture and damage whilst enabling quick identification on site. DeWalt's stackable organiser systems integrate well with existing tool storage, whilst Sealey's assortments typically feature robust compartmentalised cases suitable for workshop and mobile use.

Material Quality and Finish: Professional-grade fixings should be manufactured from hardened steel with appropriate finishes. Black oxide coatings offer corrosion resistance for general applications, whilst zinc-plated options provide enhanced durability in outdoor environments. Stainless steel fixings, though more expensive, prove essential for marine, agricultural, and harsh weather applications where corrosion resistance is critical.

Popular Accessories

• Magnetic Parts Trays: Keep small fixings organised and prevent losses when working overhead or on mobile sites
• Drill Bit Sets: Essential for preparing holes for pins, anchors, and wall fixings to manufacturer specifications
• Hex Key Sets: Required for installing grub screws and many mechanical fixings, available from brands like Wera and Wiha
• Pliers and Pin Punches: For installing and removing split pins, roll pins, and clevis pins without damaging components
• Thread Gauges: Identify thread sizes and pitches when selecting replacement fixings for repair work
• Threadlocker and Assembly Lubricants: Secure fixings and prevent loosening in vibration-prone applications
• Tool Storage Solutions: DeWalt TSTAK, Milwaukee PACKOUT, and Makita MakPac systems for organised transportation
• Torque Wrenches: Ensure fixings are tightened to manufacturer specifications, particularly important for automotive applications
• Felt Pads and Protection: Prevent surface damage when installing fixings on finished materials and furniture

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the difference between metric and imperial assorted fixing kits?
A: Metric fixings are measured in millimetres and follow ISO standards commonly used across Europe and modern UK manufacturing. Imperial fixings use inches and fractions thereof, typically found on older British equipment, American machinery, and agricultural implements. Many professional assortments include both systems to ensure compatibility across diverse applications, with Sealey offering dedicated collections for each specification.

Q: How should I store assorted fixings to prevent rust and corrosion?
A: Keep fixings in their original compartmentalised cases in a dry environment away from moisture. For long-term storage or harsh site conditions, consider adding silica gel packets to absorb moisture. Regularly inspect steel fixings for signs of corrosion, and apply a light coating of oil to unplated items stored in damp workshops or site cabins. Avoid storing fixings directly on concrete floors where condensation can accelerate rust formation.

Q: Are assorted fixing kits better value than buying individual fixings?
A: For tradespeople and active DIY enthusiasts, assorted kits typically offer significant cost savings compared to purchasing individual fixings as needed. They also eliminate emergency trips to suppliers mid-job, which saves both time and money. However, if you only require large quantities of one specific size for a particular project, buying in bulk may prove more economical. Most professionals maintain both comprehensive assortments for general work and bulk stocks of their most frequently used sizes.

Q: Can I use spring roll pins as a permanent fixing solution?
A: Yes, spring roll pins (also called tension pins) provide reliable permanent fastening when correctly sized for the application. They're particularly effective in applications involving shear loads and are widely used in automotive, machinery, and equipment manufacturing. Ensure the hole diameter matches the pin specification for optimal retention—the pin should compress slightly when driven into the hole to create sufficient holding force.

Q: What size assortment should I choose for mobile trade work?
A: Mobile tradespeople benefit from mid-sized assortments containing 150-300 pieces that balance comprehensiveness with portability. Look for robust cases that fit your existing tool storage system and won't open accidentally during transport. DeWalt's stackable organisers work well for van racking systems, whilst Sealey's compartmentalised cases suit toolbox storage. Consider keeping a larger master stock at your workshop and replenishing your mobile kit regularly to maintain adequate supplies.