Generic 290 Pcs Cotter Pins - 24 Sizes Cotter Pin Assortment Kit Hardware Pins 304 Stainless Small Cotter Pins Set Carter Pins Kit Used for Automotive, Trailer Hitch,Lawn Mower

Why I added this kit to my bench

Small fasteners are the kind of thing you never need—until you absolutely do. A missing cotter pin can sideline a mower, rattle loose a trailer latch, or stall a quick repair in the garage. I picked up this 290-piece cotter pin assortment to solve that “where did that pin go?” problem, and I’ve been using it for a few months across automotive odds and ends, a trailer hitch, and lawn equipment. It’s a straightforward kit: 24 sizes of 304 stainless steel cotter pins in a compartmented plastic box. Nothing glamorous, but that’s the point—reliable, grab-and-go hardware you don’t have to overthink.

Build quality and material

The pins are 304 stainless steel, which is a sensible choice for a general-purpose kit. In use, they bend smoothly without surface cracking, don’t exhibit the chalky whitening you sometimes see on bargain-plated pins, and have just enough spring to hold shape after you set the legs. Across the assortment I received, the wire appears consistent in diameter and the eyes are uniformly formed. No sharp burrs on the tips; most ends had a slight chamfer that helped with starting in tight holes.

A quick note on stainless: 304 is corrosion resistant enough for outdoor equipment and road splash. If you’re living in salt air, bathing a boat trailer in brine, or you want pins that can live on a dock year-round, 316 stainless is the gold standard. But for automotive, yard equipment, and general shop use, 304 strikes a good balance of corrosion resistance and cost.

The assortment and sizing

This set covers 24 sizes, leaning toward the smaller end with a good spread into mid-range diameters. That’s exactly what I wanted for carb linkages, mower deck hardware, clevis pins, and a few bodywork projects. At the large end, there are enough pieces to secure hitch-related hardware and drawer slides in a shop cart. At the small end, the kit has the fiddly sizes that disappear in the grass when you drop them. The “mostly small, some medium” emphasis fits light equipment and daily repairs more than heavy machinery.

The count of 290 pieces means I can be liberal with re-bending and replacing rather than trying to save a fatigued pin. It’s the practical economy of a bulk kit: I spend less time hunting for a specific size and more time actually finishing the repair.

In use: installation and holding power

I installed pins from this kit on:
- A walk-behind mower’s throttle/governor linkage
- A riding mower deck lift assembly
- A trailer coupler latch and a clevis on a lawn cart
- A pair of hinge pins on a shop fixture

In all cases, insertion was straightforward. The legs separate predictably with standard pliers and stay where they’re set. With stainless pins you sometimes get a “spring-back” that requires an extra squeeze; these behaved well—firm without feeling brittle or mushy. On the trailer coupler latch, repeated on/off cycles didn’t gouge the hole in the pin or deform the eye, which often happens with softer, mystery-metal assortments.

Under vibration (mower deck and trailer use), the pins stayed put. That’s really all I ask a cotter pin to do: not fall out, not loosen, and not fight me during removal. I replaced a couple after several weeks just as a precaution; they looked the same going out as they did going in.

Corrosion resistance so far

I left a few sacrificial pins outside in the rain on a scrap fixture and one on a trailer latch for a month. They picked up a light discoloration but no red rust or pitting. That tracks with 304’s typical performance—far better than zinc-plated carbon steel in wet conditions, and good enough for year-round yard duty.

The box and organization

The included plastic box is utilitarian. It keeps sizes separated if you handle it gently, but the latch and hinge aren’t built for rough treatment. After a couple tosses into the truck bed, I did find a few pins had migrated between compartments. This is more a function of the lid flexing than the divider tolerances. My simple fix: a strip of painter’s tape across the lid when I know it’ll bounce around, and a small silicone packet inside to keep moisture at bay.

Labeling is basic and serviceable. If you’re particular about organization, you might re-label the compartments with a fine-tip marker once you’ve confirmed the counts you use most.

Comparisons and value

In the world of bulk cotter pin assortments, you typically choose between:
- Plated steel kits: cheaper up front, rust faster, bend inconsistently
- 316 stainless kits: pricier, excellent corrosion resistance, sometimes fewer pieces
- 304 stainless kits: a solid middle ground

This kit aligns with that last category and feels like better value per piece than branded equivalents. You’re paying for function rather than a fancy label—no complaints there. The tradeoff is the modest case quality, which is common at this price point.

What I’d change

• Beefier case: A stiffer lid or double-latch would reduce the chance of mixing sizes after transport. Even a molded lip that engages the dividers more tightly would help.
• A bit more on the larger sizes: The distribution favors small pins (useful!), but adding a few more medium/large pins would broaden its appeal for heavier equipment.

Neither issue is a deal-breaker. The pins themselves—the part that matters—are consistent and dependable.

Practical tips for getting the most out of this kit

• Match diameter, not just length. A slightly undersized pin will rattle and wear the hole; slightly oversized will fight insertion and can deform.
• Prep the hole. If there’s paint or burrs, a quick pass with a reamer or a twist drill by hand makes insertion smoother and preserves the pin.
• Bend cleanly. Use needle-nose pliers to bend one leg snug along the fastener and the other leg out to lock. Avoid repeated bending of the same pin; just replace it.
• Keep a mini selection wherever you use them most. I repurposed a small pill organizer with the three most-used sizes for the mower and trailer so I’m not hauling the whole box.

Who it’s for

• Home mechanics and DIYers who want a dependable stash of cotter pins for occasional repairs
• Landscapers and grounds crews maintaining mowers, carts, and small engines
• Trailer owners who routinely swap hitches or accessories and need stainless hardware that won’t rust out in a season
• Makers and shop tinkerers who need small retainers for fixtures and jigs

If you’re maintaining marine gear in saltwater environments or heavy industrial machinery, you might prefer a dedicated 316 stainless assortment or larger, higher-strength pins selected individually.

Durability and safety notes

Cotter pins are retainers; they’re not designed to carry major loads. If you’re replacing a sheared pin on something that’s meant to fail safely (like a shear pin in a snowblower), do not substitute with a cotter pin from this kit. For critical steering or brake assemblies, follow the OEM spec for size and material. For everything else—latches, linkages, light-duty clevises—this kit is right at home.

The bottom line

This 290-piece cotter pin kit delivers what I wanted: a broad, useful mix of sizes in 304 stainless that bends cleanly, resists rust, and stays put under vibration. The pins are consistent, the per-piece value is strong, and the stainless material makes them suitable for year-round outdoor use. The case could be sturdier and the distribution skews small, but those are minor nits in an otherwise dependable assortment.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for general workshop, automotive, trailer, and lawn equipment use. It’s a cost-effective way to stop scavenging for the “right” pin and keep your gear secured with stainless hardware that won’t crumble at the first sign of moisture. If you need marine-grade corrosion resistance or a heavy emphasis on large sizes, look for a 316 stainless or industrial-focused set; otherwise, this kit is a practical, everyday solution that earns its spot on the shelf.