National Hardware FAQ: Hinge Pin Door Stops, Eye Bolts, Locks & an 1800 PSI Pressure Washer Review

I handle facility purchasing for a mid-sized company—around 400 people across three locations. I process roughly 60 to 80 orders a year, and hardware is a recurring chunk of that. Since I took over purchasing in 2020, I've ordered a lot of National Hardware products: door stops, eye bolts, barrel bolts, and the occasional pressure washer. I'm not an engineer or a contractor—just the person who actually has to make these purchases work. These are the questions I get from our operations team and from other purchasers. Straight answers, no filler.

In this article:

• What is a National Hardware hinge pin door stop?
• When should I use a galvanized eye bolt?
• How does a combination lock barrel bolt work?
• 1800 psi pressure washer review: is it enough?
• What is a Hellcat micro door lock?
• Will National Hardware take a small order seriously?

What is a National Hardware hinge pin door stop?

A National Hardware hinge pin door stop replaces one of the hinge pins on a door. You pull the original pin out and slide this one in its place. The stop has a small arm with a rubber bumper that catches the door before it swings into the wall. It comes in a few finish options—brass, zinc, and similar—so it doesn't stand out on the hinge.

We use these on interior doors all through our main office. When I compared them side by side with the rubber wedge stops we used to buy, the difference was obvious: the hinge pin version doesn't leave scuff marks on the floor, doesn't get kicked under a filing cabinet, and install takes about 30 seconds per door. If you care about aesthetics, pick a finish that matches your existing hinges; the trim package matters more than people think.

One thing to know: these are meant for stopping a door from swinging into something. They're not door holders—they don't keep the door propped open. And check your hinge pin diameter first. The National Hardware version fits standard 3/8-inch hinge pins, but not all hinges use that size.

When should I use a galvanized eye bolt?

A galvanized eye bolt has a zinc coating that protects the steel from rust. If the bolt is going outdoors—or anywhere damp, like a basement, garage, or loading dock—that's your default choice.

We use National Hardware galvanized eye bolts for things like hanging retractable hose reels and mounting signs on exterior masonry. Seeing a plain steel eye bolt and a galvanized one side by side after a few months outdoors made me a believer: the galvanized one still looked the way it did the day we installed it, while the plain one had surface rust. They cost a bit more, and for outdoor exposure the difference is worth it.

Also worth knowing: eye bolts come in two main thread styles—machine thread (for a threaded hole or with a nut) and lag screw (for wood). Thread it all the way in until the shoulder seats against the surface—an eye bolt that's only half-threaded isn't actually installed. A 3/8-inch galvanized eye bolt runs somewhere in the $3 to $8 range depending on thread length (based on typical hardware retailer listings, early 2026; verify current pricing). And if the load is overhead, don't guess: check the manufacturer's load rating, and remember the rated capacity drops when the pull is at an angle rather than straight down. One caveat: this is what works for our inland commercial setting. If you're dealing with salt air or chemical exposure, stainless steel might be the better call.

How does a combination lock barrel bolt work?

It's basically a slide bolt—the same idea as a gate latch—with a combination mechanism built in. Instead of using a key, you turn dials to set a preset combination, then slide the bolt open.

We put one on our supply closet after realizing too many people had copies of the key and nobody wanted to track who had what. With a combination lock barrel bolt, authorized staff just know the code. No key management, no lost keys. They're sold in a few sizes, so check the bolt throw against your door frame depth before ordering.

What most people don't realize is this is a convenience lock, not a high-security lock. It stops casual opening—it won't stop someone determined to get in with tools. For a supply closet, a shed, or a gate on a low-traffic area, that's usually exactly what you need. If you're securing something valuable, pair it with a proper deadbolt or a hardened padlock instead.

1800 psi pressure washer review: is it enough?

We bought an 1800 psi electric pressure washer for our loading dock and walkways about a year ago—well, maybe 11 months. I'd have to look up the exact date. It's one of those tools I didn't think we needed until we had it.

My honest review: for everyday grime, 1800 PSI is enough. Concrete surface dirt, muddy tire tracks, mildew on entryway pavement—it handles all of it. Consumer-grade electric pressure washers in this class typically cost $80 to $150 (based on public retailer listings, April 2026; verify current pricing, since these fluctuate with sales seasons). They're light enough for one person to move around and plug into a regular wall outlet. Most units include a quick-connect nozzle set, which matters more than the PSI number for some jobs.

The advice you see online that says “you need 3000 PSI or it's useless” is oversimplified. Those bigger machines are heavy, loud, and usually gas-powered. For basic facility cleaning, 1800 psi is a different tool for a different job—and for our job, it was the right one.

What is a Hellcat micro door lock?

I'll be straight with you: I had to dig into this one myself. A micro door lock is a compact lock body—noticeably smaller than a standard lockset—designed for light-duty security on interior doors, sheds, storage units, and lockers. The “micro” refers to the footprint. It mounts on the surface or into a shallow cutout, instead of requiring the deep pocket a full-size lock needs. This category overlaps with cam locks and cabinet locks, but a micro door lock is typically a bit more substantial—closer to a scaled-down deadbolt.

The Hellcat name appears as a product line in this micro lock category. What to check before ordering any micro door lock: body material (zinc alloy or steel, not plastic), bolt throw (how far the latch extends into the strike), whether it's keyed or keyless, and your door thickness. A lock that works on a closet door may not be suitable for a storage unit or a gate—measure twice, order once.

Will National Hardware take a small order seriously?

This might be the most common question I get from other purchasers, and it's an important one if you're running a small operation. Our first National Hardware order was around $300. That's not a big ticket for a national distributor. But the experience was exactly the same as every order since: clean invoicing, on-time shipping, and nobody made us feel like the order was too small.

When I was starting out in purchasing, the vendors who treated my small orders seriously are the same ones I still use today. Small doesn't mean unimportant—it means potential. If you're not sure whether a distributor will work with you, ask. The worst they can say is “no.” In my experience, National Hardware has been good to work with at any order size, and the catalog covers everything from single hinge pins to full gate hardware kits.