Lots of bolts back there. Counter service only. There's a collection of mistakes on the counter to occupy your time while waiting. This is not a place for DIY, it's for volume contractors mostly. read more

Bowlin Equipment Company - Store Hours Closed 12-1 for lunch - Hardware Stores Near Me - Berkeley, California

Truly helpful people. How refreshing in this world of hustle. I have been helped multiple times by Larry and his helpers.

I have going here for a long time, Larry the owner is great and knows his stuff. Here you will hard to find nuts & bolts exc. drill bits, many different types of Loctite and more. Please keep in mind they close fore lunch. read more

Customer service at it's very very best. Customers served according to order they arrived at the shop: service not based on the size of your order, the number of years you been coming, or cumulative total of business you've brought in. Just plain old "Next?" and "How can I help you?". If there is even a remote chance they have what you need or a close substitute, they are on it. Even if you are in for half-a-handful of nuts or bolts, your business is honored same as everyone else. If you want to experience what it's like at a business that truly serves the community, skip the hardware chain store, skip the big boxes, skip the online order goliath, go to Bowlin. Open your mind, and just go. For the better quality nuts and bolts that they sell, their prices are competitive. I've learned that from many years of double checking. And on the off chance those other choices can better serve you, they'll send you there. read more

I learned about Bowlin from a neighboring hardware store that didn't have the two small stainless metric bolts I needed to hold a boat together. Arriving at Bowlin, I was embarrassed to ask for such a piddling amount of merchandise, but the owner was very gracious and his assistant fetched them from among what he told me were thousands of SKUs in the back of the building. I've been back several times since when I needed a small number of fittings and the experience has been consistently rewarding. Bowlin is a rare treasure. read more

Very kind folks. Excellent service, superb prices, was sent there by ace hardware to get nuts n bolts for my boat. Must be stainless steel. Got help and they attended to-us very respectfully. read more

They always have all the obscure nuts & bolts I need. Great family owned business. Thanks guys!

Bowlin seems to be run by some very knowledgeable people that are reasonably nice. The only reason I don't add the 5th star is because 1) 5 stars should mean above and beyond in all aspects (IMO) and 2) Bowlin is excellent except for presentation. The store is very much limited to walk in the door, take 3-4 steps, and stop. Everything else will be done verbally because there is literally no presentation of anything beyond a few countertop quickie items you may or may not (likely not) need. Everything else is deep off in their staff-only warehouse. Flip side - letting qualified staff get what you need keeps their stock from turning into a total mess like most Home Depot nuts-n-bolts sections end up. But enough of that. Need something quality? Come to Bowlin! Can't find that odd shape or size at Home Depot or Lowes? Come to Bowlin! Not sure exactly what you need at all? Bored and think it'd be fun to just look at random sized nuts and bolts and stuff you've never seen before? Come to Bowlin! (well, maybe not as they're in the business of making a profit vs entertaining bored people). This little "I never knew they were there" storefront is positively invaluable when in need of odd nuts, bolts and other hardware that the chain locations can't even recognize. And the staff know their stuff. Honest too - if it isn't a good idea or not sure it'll work, they'll say so. Bowlin. Great lil place that won't steer you wrong. read more

Awesome people, super knowledgeable in hardware. Folk at Bowlin have been life-savers a countless number of times. I work in automotive and some times we have a project that needs new hardware or simply need hardware from a manufacturer that is not available. This time around I came in for special (to me) nardi steering wheel hardware and yet they had them waiting for me; Both in stainless and black finishes. read more

When it comes to fasteners - for your own safety - do NOT screw around! When I needed some bolts for my motorcycle, I brought the old bolts in to Bowlin and received well over the amount of customer service I might expect for $1 worth of merchandise anywhere! Super knowledgeable & friendly - these guys are awesome. If you've got a screw loose - go find its mate here. No guessing like you would if you went to some big hardware & outdoor goods department store. Fast, friendly and efficient! read more

I wouldn't expect to find any reviews of this place, its so out of the way. But then I see that both reviews fall within three months of this one. Is that saying more of us Yelpers are DIY types? This is good the hear. Bowlin Equipment Company is your only place for nuts and bolts. They have both common and hard to find for what I needed, restoration. I was able to find Euro metric in both length and head type that works for my project. They also carry much needed nut and bolt accessories, including tools and lock bolt spray products you might need. Effective, useful and downright old school. :) read more

Amazing place, amazing inventory, amazing people, and downright reasonable prices. No elitism here - they sell to everyone with equal attention and attitude, whether you're a professional fabricator like myself, a do-it-yourself type, or have never been in a hardware store before in your life (but really need this one weird screw that fell out of the bottom of your coffee maker...). Go here; be amazed. read more

I cannot believe I haven't done a review for Bowlin. They have the best supply of fasteners in our area. My husband had a business as a fix-it guy for years, and they never failed us. Sometimes the five-dollar 5-screw package from Home Depot just won't cut it. Special sizes, special materials. We can even get marine grade stainless steel fasteners. A wonderful treasure right here. They are extremely knowledgeable and willing to help figure would what will work. read more

They are so kind and gave me a bunch of screws for free! I called and communicated that i lost the screws to my tv stand and they said i could come in and they could definitely help. They gave me faith in great businesses again. Highly recommend. read more

What a fantastic business, they've got it all going on. Good employees, good stock, great attitude, helpful, polite, excellent prices. If you want to know why some businesses succeed and some fail, this place is the shining example of how to do it right. Big orders or small, they'll take care of your needs with the same professionalism and friendliness. read more

It's a small, non-descript building with the best inventory of fasteners and, what's more, the best service. They even threw in a few extra fasteners for free! A throw-back to the days of great personal service! read more

Old school nuts and bolts supply. Staff were friendly, helpful, and knowledgable. Prices very fair, especially if you're a DIYer getting a handful of nuts and bolts. A welcome alternative to digging around at a big-box store for an hour, and not finding what you want. Hours are somewhat limited so be aware before you head over. read more

Edited (4/2018) to emphasize that THIS STORE IS A REGIONAL, IF NOT GLOBAL, TREASURE. Bolts and tools for bolts. And screws. Everything you need. And, yes, 7 years later, property prices have gone insane again. Damn, wish I had capital to buy low when I last submitted a review. But they're still here, thank god. Hoping for a crash soon. Ok, proceed to original review. ------------------------------ I have had the fortune of going here since the late 80s as an undergrad here. 50mm M8 bolts with a 1.0 fine pitch for doing a clutch job on old airhead BMWs? Check! Thread repair kits that actually work? Check! Industrial, rather than Oakland Hills/North Berkeley/Peninsula "Restoration Hardware" prices? Check! If property value insanity ever reappears and threatens to force Bowlin out so that some developer can create a coffee/brick/heather-colored live-work loft space, I'm going to petition the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation for a grant to preserve this place. read more

I've never been treated so poorly at the counter. I went in looking for a fairly obscure kind of bolt (a "sex bolt" - gotta love it!). They didn't have that. That's fine, so I stepped out of line to work out how to redo the project with HDG (hot dipped galvanized). When my time in line came again, I started asking for HDG and was interrupted to say they don't sell #2 bolts because they're "Cheap Chinese crap", and to try a contractor's shop (I'd been to three already that morning - short fat ones are hard to find). Okay, I really want to get this project done this weekend, I'll find a way to do it in stainless. I started puzzling over the list in my phone so I could rephrase it in stainless terms, and the guy said, "Do you have a list? We're a wholesale place." Me: "Yes, a moment, it's here in my phone." "We can't help you." (and a bunch of other randomness that boiled down to his not being interested in my problem, and seeming to think that I didn't know the difference between my posterior and a hole in the ground). I was going to order quite a large amount of the stuff; in stainless it would have been expensive, and I was ready to pay for it. And some bottoming taps. But you know what? Forget you guys. I have some needs that would be more inline with what they can provide, but I will not be returning. Moral: Rude, and it's really not the place to go for architectural hardware. read more

This place is awesome!! I looked everywhere for some specialty fasteners and I could not find what I needed anywhere! I tried all the big name hardware stores and even Ashby Lumber which has a great fastener selection, they were the ones that actually referred me to Bowlin. When I walked in and explained what I needed they knew exactly what I was talking about unlike everyone else and had the correct fasteners I needed within minutes! Highly reccomended. read more

I would laugh at a bad review. They have helped me out of many issues with their inventory and knowledge. Bring a screw in there and show them and they will either have it or be able to order it or tell you where to go. They close for lunch between 12 and 1 so don't go then. It is small and family run which is great. We use them for all kinds of stainless fasteners. read more

I love this place! They have all of the nuts and bolts etc.. that I need for my automotive projects. The staff are very friendly and helpful and no quantity is too small. Bowlin is a hidden treasure for any Diy mechanic/ tinkerer. read more

These guys rock. They are old-school. They close for lunch. I respect that. We've purchased materials from them several times and it's always the same-- friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable staff plus fair prices. They are very generous with their time and really there to help you. That's a rarity these days. they have the largest selection of bolts around. Each time, I always find what I need. Highly recommend them. read more

Very helpful and friendly staff, excellent selection and cheap prices. I am stoked for the next time I need a specialty fastener. I don't know how a nuts & bolts store managed to impress me *so* much... But really, honest to god, I love this place. read more

Found bolts for my bike that I needed that I couldn't find anywhere else. Open 8-5 m-f closed for lunch 12-1.

Came to get a small set screw. They were closed till 1 for lunch. I waited patiently. They had what I needed and didn't charge me because I had to wait. Super friendly and great customer service. I will definitely be back! read more

Just awesome. Needed a metric bolt for my brake calipers. Would have been a total hassle to track it down at the auto parts store or from the original manufacturer. I brought in the one good bolt I had and they matched it exactly (in like 3 minutes or less)! I bought 2 of them for $1 each! I can get my brakes working and be back on the road today!! Thanks Bowlin!! (keep in mind, they close for lunch from 12pm-1pm) read more

I've gone here twice looking for odd, stainless steel hardware for marine applications. Both times they've had what I needed. I've only spent a few bucks but the customer service has been exceptional. Unlike Fastenal, they will sell you only a few of whatever you need (Fastenal down the street won't break up a bag of ~25 bolts). This place is top-notch in my book. If you can't find the hardware you're looking for, give them a call. They are closed from 12-1 for lunch. read more

This was the most generous and friendly experience of my life. I went to Orchard trying to find a bolt to fit a European hinge on a friends bathroom cabinet door. After some time together we were unable to find a very short 5mm diameter bolt. The shot assistant suggested I try Bowlin Equipment. I went to Bowlin and showed the manager the bolt I needed. His response was that they did not have exactly that bolt, but I could try another one that might work. Low and behold he gave me four bolts to try for free. Now all I need is an excuse to go back to Bowlin and spend some money. read more

One of the most helpful and friendly places I've been to. Had an obscure part for my wheelchair that I needed to replace. They helped me find a replacement part and charged me a great (low) price. read more

I have used this company for over sixty years, they have supplied bolts and hard wear for all our jobs and that includes the New Bay Bridge. If we need hard wear no matter what it is they can get it, the best people work there and they are a older family company run by the next generation. read more

yupp.... right place ... too bad places like such are going out of business in Berkeley and all over USA. I wonder what will this country look like in 10 years. read more

Awesome place... helpful, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. They special ordered an odd metric length screw for me, with no minimums or additional charges (I only needed two!) and had it for me the next day. If you're looking for an odd screw or strange nut, go here and skip the hardware store crawl. read more

What can I say? You couldn't ask for a better place for bolts, taps, etc. The only non-perfect thing about them is they close for lunch.

These guys were fantastic! They had all the fasteners I needed in the correct hardness is I wouldn't hesitate to go in there in fact I would go there for sure any of my future needs. read more

Great place. I've been walking in for years, always with something unusual, and have never left without a perfect match. Plus the prices are extremely reasonable. It's rare to find a place that makes life easier, but this one is a gem. I wish the rest of my life worked out as well. read more

The service provided was quick. I walked in looking for a 12mm drill bit since I could not find one at Home Depot, and they were able to provide one within two minutes of me entering the store. read more

Bowlin Equipment has been an amazing local resource. I build and fly mini drone aircraft, I make custom CNC machines, custom bicycles, and portable soundsystems. Whenever I need some random bit of high quality hardware, Bowlin has it and they have it right away. They are always super friendly even if I am purchasing only pennies worth of project bottleneck preventing hardware. If you build things in the East Bay you should have them on speed dial. read more