Made of wire, a cotter pin is a two-tined metal fastener that is used in everything from stock cars to wagons. Suppliers of cotter pins usually offer the fasteners in either standard or metric sizes, so be sure you know what you're looking at before you order. Special brass cotter pins are usually purchased by furniture manufacturers to hold drawer pulls. Because they are made of brass, they are more expensive than wire cotter pins.
Whether you're looking to buy brass cotter pins or another metal type, be sure what you're getting is new and in good condition since bent parts can make cotter pins useless.
Consider which of the following you'll need for the easiest cotter pin installation:
1. Ready-made or custom cotter pin fasteners
2. Cotter pins in metric sizes
3. Cotter pin tools
Shop the widest variety of cotter pin prices online
You can find cotter pins, like many other fasteners, anywhere from your local hardware store to specialty parts stores. You can also find them easily, and possibly at their cheapest, online. And, unless you need custom cotter pins made for a specific application, you can even buy them bulk or in assortment kits.
Find metric cotter pins sold in sets or through companies dedicated to metric sizes
Cotter pins are available in both standard and metric sizes. If you're looking for metric cotter pins, you can find online manufacturers, but make sure the company complies with International Standard Organization (ISO) requirements. This will ensure that you get what you ask for the first time.
Be sure to get the right tools for cotter pin fasteners
The different types of cotter pins and sizes vary, but no doubt there are a couple of types of tools you'll likely need when working with cotter pins. Cotter pins are, after all, fasteners which means their job is to hold two things together. It also means that taking out an improperly installed cotter pin can be a pain without the right tools.
- Many manufacturers suggest using the largest cotter pin fastener to fit the hole to prevent slippage. This can prevent many injuries, especially important when cotter pin fasteners attach wheels to toys and bicycles.
