Assorted Kits

What are assorted kits?

Assorted kits are ready-made collections of commonly used parts, such as nuts, bolts, screws, springs, and O-ring materials, supplied in a range of sizes and packed in an organised storage case. Instead of buying each size separately, an assorted kit gives you a selection of the most useful sizes in one convenient pack, so the right part is always on hand when it is needed.

Kits are ideal for workshops, maintenance teams, vans, and home users who carry out repairs, build projects, or need to replace small parts quickly. Each kit is usually supplied in a clear, compartmented case with labelled sections, making it easy to find the right size and see when stock is running low.

Common assorted kits include:

• Nut and bolt kits - a mix of bolts, nuts, and washers in popular metric sizes
• Stainless steel nut and bolt kits - corrosion-resistant fixings for wet and outdoor applications
• Cap screw and hex head bolt assortments - socket cap screws and hex head bolts in a range of diameters and lengths
• Spring kits - assortments of compression springs, extension springs, or both
• O-ring cord splicing kits - lengths of O-ring cord with tools and adhesive for making custom O-rings to size

Key features:

• Wide range of sizes - covers the most commonly used sizes in one pack
• Organised storage - compartmented cases keep parts sorted, protected, and easy to find
• Labelled compartments - many kits show sizes on the lid or compartments for quick identification
• Portable - compact cases are easy to carry in a van, toolbox, or workshop
• Cost-effective - buying a kit is often cheaper than buying each size separately
• Ready for any job - helps you complete repairs without waiting for parts

In simple terms, assorted kits are a convenient way to keep a well-organised stock of the parts you use most, ready for whatever job comes up.

Why are assorted kits essential?

Assorted kits are essential because small parts such as bolts, nuts, springs, and O-rings are needed on almost every maintenance and repair job. Without them, a simple repair can be delayed while waiting for the right size to arrive, or a missing part can be replaced with something unsuitable. Keeping a selection of common sizes in a tidy, labelled case saves time, reduces downtime, and helps make sure the correct part is used every time.

Their main benefits are:

• Less downtime - the right part is on hand, so repairs can be completed straight away
• Time saving - no need to search through loose parts or order single items
• Better organisation - compartments keep sizes separate and easy to identify
• Stock visibility - clear cases make it easy to see what is running low
• Lower costs - kits usually offer better value than buying sizes individually
• Correct parts - having the right size available reduces the temptation to use the wrong part
• Portable - ideal for mobile engineers, service vans, and site work
• Flexibility - suitable for repairs, prototypes, custom builds, and general maintenance

Assorted kits are useful for a wide range of users and industries, including:

• Maintenance and engineering teams - keeping common fixings and spares ready for repairs
• Workshops and garages - general repairs, servicing, and fabrication
• Mobile engineers and service vans - carrying essential parts to site
• Manufacturing and production - quick replacements on production lines
• Agricultural and plant repair - fixings and springs for machinery repairs
• Hydraulic and pneumatic maintenance - making custom O-rings for seals
• Schools, colleges, and training centres - workshop stock for projects and training
• Home, DIY, and hobby users - repairs, projects, and model making

The main types of assorted kits

Assorted kits are usually grouped by the type of parts they contain.

Nut and bolt kits:

• Metric nut and bolt kits - a mix of bolts, nuts, and washers in popular metric sizes, ideal for general repairs and assembly
• Stainless steel nut and bolt kits - made from stainless steel for resistance to rust and corrosion, ideal for outdoor, marine, food, and damp environments
• Hex head bolt assortments - bolts with hexagon heads, tightened with a spanner or socket
• Socket cap screw assortments - screws with cylindrical heads and an internal hex socket, tightened with an Allen key. They are compact and ideal where space around the head is limited

Spring kits:

• Compression spring kits - springs that resist being pushed together and push back when compressed. Used in valves, switches, latches, pedals, and mechanisms
• Extension spring kits - springs with hooks or loops on each end that resist being pulled apart and pull back when stretched. Used in doors, tensioners, levers, and return mechanisms
• Mixed spring kits - combine compression and extension springs in a range of lengths, diameters, and wire thicknesses

O-ring kits:

• O-ring cord splicing kits - include lengths of rubber O-ring cord in several cross-section diameters, a cutting tool, a joining jig, and adhesive. They allow custom O-rings of almost any diameter to be made quickly, which is ideal for emergency repairs and non-standard sizes

How to choose the right assorted kit?

Choosing the right assorted kit means matching it to the jobs you do most often and the conditions the parts will work in. Work through these points in order:

• Type of parts - decide whether you need fixings, springs, or O-ring materials, or a combination of kits
• Size range - check the sizes included, such as M3 to M8 bolts, and make sure they cover the jobs you carry out most
• Thread type - check whether the fixings are metric or imperial, and whether they use coarse or fine threads
• Material - choose zinc plated steel for general indoor use, and stainless steel for outdoor, wet, food, or corrosive environments
• Head type - choose hex head bolts for spanner and socket use, or socket cap screws for compact spaces and Allen key use
• Strength - for structural or high-load applications, check the strength grade of the fixings and choose suitable parts
• Spring type - choose compression springs for parts that push back, and extension springs for parts that pull back
• O-ring material and sizes - for O-ring kits, check the rubber material is compatible with the fluid, and that the cord diameters suit the grooves you need to seal
• Quantity - choose a kit with enough pieces in the sizes you use most often
• Storage case - choose a case with clear compartments and labelling for easy identification and refilling
• Portability - choose compact, sturdy cases for vans and toolboxes
• Quality and brand - choose kits from reputable suppliers for accurate threads, consistent sizes, and reliable materials

FAQ - All you need to know about assorted kits

What is an assorted kit?

An assorted kit is a collection of commonly used parts, such as nuts, bolts, springs, or O-ring materials, supplied in a range of sizes and stored in an organised case.

Why buy an assorted kit instead of individual parts?

Kits give you a range of sizes in one pack, usually at a lower cost than buying each size separately. They also keep parts organised and ready, reducing downtime during repairs.

What is the difference between a hex head bolt and a socket cap screw?

A hex head bolt has a six-sided head and is tightened with a spanner or socket. A socket cap screw has a round head with an internal hex socket and is tightened with an Allen key, making it ideal where space is tight.

Why choose stainless steel fixings?

Stainless steel resists rust and corrosion, making it ideal for outdoor, marine, food, and damp environments. Zinc plated steel fixings are a good choice for general indoor use.

What is the difference between compression and extension springs?

A compression spring resists being squashed and pushes back when compressed. An extension spring resists being pulled apart and pulls back when stretched. Extension springs usually have hooks or loops on each end.

How do I choose the right spring from a kit?

Measure the spring you are replacing, including its length, outside diameter, and wire thickness, and choose the closest match. Also consider how much force the spring needs to give.

What is an O-ring cord splicing kit used for?

It is used to make custom O-rings to almost any size. The cord is cut to length, the ends are bonded together with adhesive using the joining tool, and the finished ring can be fitted straight away. It is ideal for emergency repairs and non-standard sizes.

Are spliced O-rings as good as moulded O-rings?

Spliced O-rings are ideal for static seals, emergency repairs, and non-standard sizes. For high-pressure or dynamic applications, a moulded O-ring of the correct size is usually the best long-term choice.

Can I refill my assorted kit?

Yes. Many users refill kits by buying individual sizes as they run out, keeping the case fully stocked and organised.

How should I store my assorted kit?

Keep the case closed and stored in a clean, dry place to protect parts from dust, moisture, and corrosion. Keeping parts in their labelled compartments makes them easy to find and reorder.