Bulk Quarter-Turn "Dzus" fastener purchase

[fsaviator]

Hi all,

I am looking into purchasing some DZU fasteners for my flight deck. I’ve researched quite a bit and have received a quote from DFCI Solutions, the makers of the actual aircraft fasteners.
Before I accept the quote, I want to see if anyone else is interested in hopping on board with this, as they are considerably cheaper, the more you buy.

In the interest of keeping prices down, I’ve looked into two part numbers with several finishes. The finishes are Z3BT (Zinc plate) and BOC (Black Oxide over Copper). I was told that other finishes aren’t kept in stock, and these were the cheapest. As they only had one grey finish, and it wasn’t a stock item, I guess it doesn’t matter as I’ll be painting them anyway. The Zinc ones are much cheaper.

Interestingly enough… the non-MILSPEC fasteners (3522) are more expensive… go figure.

Here is a link to the datasheet for the 3506 series. These are the MILSPEC DZUs we all know. The thickness I plan to order are the .110" to .119" panel thickness. Can anyone see a flaw in that?

http://www.dfcis.com/engineering/C3506-SCARevG.pdf
http://www.dfcis.com/binary/pa-3500.pdf

Anyway, I’m looking at ordering 3506-SC43A-Z3BT.

They only have 98 in stock and it is a 10 week lead time if out of stock. I was going to order 100, but this would work. Now, I’m deploying for eight months in a couple of weeks, so I don’t have an issue waiting 10 weeks. Here’s the price breakdown:

100+ is $3.14 each
200+ is $1.89 each
500+ is $1.26 each
And so on until 50,000+ for $0.89

I’ve got to reply fairly soon to the quote, so jump on now if you are interested.

Regardless, please let me know if you have a cheaper source.

Warren

[RadarBob]

Hi Warren,

This is a great idea - Surprised you haven't had any takers yet.

I had a quote myself a while back, for a similar price but I was after the SC39A-Z3CT.

I am using 2mm aluminium panels - But I guess yours are acrylic at 2.8-3mm.

Otherwise, I would be interested - Especially at the 500+ price.

I have bought used ones of these from Nick at APHS, but these are from the original panels
which I think are about 1.5mm - So not much good to you.


Cheers,

Rob

[fsaviator]

I'm kind of surprised myself. After all, while I'm able to get by with the threaded dzu replicas for everything else, a real overhead calls for real dzu's.

If you'd like, I can see if I can mix-n-match part numbers for a larger order.

Warren

[RadarBob]

Doubt they will go for that Warren - But might be worth an ask.

I think we would need to hit the 500 to make it cost-effective for me, as I will get hit for VAT which isn't so bad at 17.5% but also
the good old UK Post Office slaps a big handling charge on top.

I think it works out about £1.50 ea at the 200 price, and £1.00 at the 500 price

Anybody else interested?

Rob

[RadarBob]

Disregard this post - Something went wrong in the posting process and I ended up with two copies somehow!

[Karl737]

Hi Warren,

I'm fairly new here in this group.

I might be interested in 250 @ $1.26. I'm using 1.6 mm panels so I would need 3506-SC38A-Z3CT. As Rob says, I don't think they would mix part numbers though. I'm interested to hear how you go.

Good Luck!
Regards,
Karl

[fsaviator]

I have asked the company to send me one of each size as a sample. I'm waiting for them to arrive any day now. Once I get them, I will take some photos and post so that all will see the differences. I'm getting one of each length.

At that point I'll hit them up on splitting the order. I really don't think they'll have a problem with it if they have them in stock. We'll see. Give me a few days.

Warren

[Karl737]

Thanks Warren,

Sounds hopeful, it will be good if they do.

Cheers,
Karl

[fsaviator]

Just received the samples... it's a good thing too as I had originally figured 3506-SC43A-Z3BT... but it looks like 3506-SC42A-Z3BT would better suit me. I guess I'll measure each panel individually.

These first pics show 3506-SC43A-Z3BT in relation to one of my panels:

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/wsoeldner/B737NG-SIM/1d391d15.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/wsoeldner/B737NG-SIM/a83ec763.jpg

Here you can see that I'll have to use a press to drill out the hole in my panel a bit:

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/wsoeldner/B737NG-SIM/e1ffdcbf.jpg

These next pics show 3506-SC42A-Z3BT in relation to the same panel:

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/wsoeldner/B737NG-SIM/a492e082.jpg

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/wsoeldner/B737NG-SIM/7c302e5c.jpg

This pic shows each of the samples in order from left to right (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44):

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/wsoeldner/B737NG-SIM/becdf3c8.jpg


hopefully someone finds this useful. I'll be back later with a total of what I need to order. At that point, I'll know if I need to order multiple part #'s and if I need to look at asking to combine orders.

Warren

[Karl737]

Excellent. you can count me in for 250 of the 3506-SC38A-Z3CT if it all works out.

Karl

[fsaviator]

Karl,

This isn't dead... been busy packing to leave on my eight month trip.

OK. I just shot an email to these guys to see what kind of pricing they can give us on both fasteners. I'll keep you posted

Warren

[Karl737]

Thanks, ill wait to hear how you go.

Karl

[nax228]

Finally got around to try to fit my panels to my *REAL* OH frame, and I see no other solution then getting these DZUS fasteners. Regular screws needs to much modification to do the work while DZUS would do it without any modding of the frame.

I need the 3506-SC37A-C3C though, since my backpanels is only about 1,x mm thick.

[fsaviator]

Karl, Nax

Here's what I received from the vendor. No special price breaks beyond the initial one for quantity. It's a manufacturing thing, not a "they don't want to help" thing.

Here is the pricing for the 2 items.
Qty Part# Net Ea Del
100 3506-SC42A-C3C 3.05 Stock
250 3506-SC38A-Z3CT 1.25 Stock

Karl, are you good with the price? I know you were looking a bit lower. If you want to go direct, I can get you the contact info

Nax, I can get a quote for you, or put you in direct contact with them. I would need an amount though.

Here's my issues. I have no problem ordering and having it all shipped to me. The issue is further shipping to Norway and Australia. I (meaning the wife) can do it, but it will be a further cost to you.

I'll accommodate any way I can. I wish I wasn't leaving... I'd buy 500 of each, and sell at cost to everyone that needs them. Unfortunately, I won't be around.

Let me know how you each want to proceed.

Warren

[Karl737]

Hi Warren,

I've sent you a PM.

Karl

[fsaviator]

OK,

I haven't been blowing this off, just been busy. Here's an update:

I was able to order 200 each of the 42A's for $1.25 a piece. According to the wife, they arrived within days of the order.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to check them out until I return next summer.

Here is the info if you want to order. They have all sizes, and will work with you on pricing (within reason):

Robert Morrissey
American Ring/R.L.Morrissey
30450 Bruce Industrial Pkwy
Solon, Ohio 44139 (Cleveland)
PHN 440-498-3730
FAX 440-498-3736

rhmorrissey (at) att (dot) net

[nax228]

Until the summer?? :O Where are you working? The South Pole?
Anyway... I've been in touch with them myself, but they dont have short enough fasteners for my panel. Now I have a *REAL* overhead frame for sale...

[fsaviator]

Until the summer?? :O Where are you working? The South Pole?

Baghdad! :)

[nax228]

aha... A bit warmer there.