What to buy in quantity

[TheNumberSix]

This is a general question for the DIY members. What materials should you buy in bulk? Basically what are the materials that you always use that you did or wished you had purchased in quantity.

TheNumberSix

[JohnSawyer]

I wished I bought 20 yards of fabric from Scott at backwoodsdaydreamer.com instead of 10. I'm always wanting to start the next project...

Thread in bulk is good, and I tend to wind bobbins in groups of 5-6...
Shock cord has 1000 uses, so buy 3 times what you need for 1 project...

Others?

[PuckerFactor]

I tend to buy most of my supplies in bulk. Just got a 100' hank of shock cord from Supply Captain.
A lot of my fabric comes from fabricsupplier on eBay, so the more I get, the better a deal it is. I usually get 25 yards or so. I usually get fabric in multiples of 4 yards so I can be sure I can make a gathered end hammock out of it. Then there's cordage! I have 375' coming from the amsteel group buy, a spool of 2.2mm Zing-It sitting here, a 1000' spool of 2mm "trot line", and a 2000' spool of 1.1mm trot line.
So yeah, if you can manage, get stuff in bulk!

PF

[Dutch]

If you are going to start making down quilts, buy plenty of down when you see a good deal. I like teh grab bags from OWF. Shock cord and get some good light material. Just buy it all

[Running Feather]

I like to be able to go to the 'gear making center' and make a project knowing I have enough of what I'll need available. Therefore: Buy in large quantities.

[BOB1520]

draw string & cord
cord locks
Thread definitely and bobbins.
Grosgrain ribbon

Now if we could buy TIME (not the Magazine )to do the project... That I would defnitely buy in bulk.

[nacra533]

My philosphy is to keep enough on hand to build at least one more quilt/tarp/ whatever than I plan to.

I buy GG in bulk and lots of rolls at a time. Usually 25-30 yard rolls (about 6" diameter). It really lowers the cost per yard of it.

For my heavier sewing machines, (sails and canvas) I buy thread 2 -16oz cones at a time. My machines wind the bobbin while I sew, so I need 2 cones of thread at a time, one for the needle and one for the bobbin.

For my camping gear making machine, I am using up my existing supply of 700 yd spools of thread and will probably start buying my thread for it in 4 or 8 oz cones. For the smaller thread, there is A LOT of yardage in 4 oz cones.

Needles, I buy in packs of 100.

Material, when I find a deal, I usually buy 10-20 yds at a time. Lowers shipping cost per yard. I use a lot of seconds so cost is pretty inexpensive per yard. I try to buy materail in a length that gives me as little wastes as possible. For example, I'll order 5 tarps worth or 5 quiltes worth.

Amsteel, I never order less than 50', usually 100' at a time. I use a lot on my sailboats as well.

[rjcress]

Probably easier to list things we would not like to have in bulk.
Lets see....
nope, sorry. Can't think of anything.
... then again, I have a long list of projects still on my list and plan to make several more hammocks, tarps and all the accessories to outfit the rest of my family.
If your goals are similar, then buy enough to do one of each item just to be sure you like making gear and your happy with your results.
If you pass that test, order it all in bulk.
If not, don't.

[WV]

Lots of good suggestions here. If you take them, you'll be like me, thinking that you should buy plastic storage tubs in bulk.

[Jsaults]

Mitten hooks. Buckles. Tri glides.

I have no idea where they all go, but over the years I have purchased a bunch!

Jim