M-machine have plenty of metric stock, Mallard do a bit.

But you may be better off using suppliers other then the usual ME ones who mostly seem to be in a time warp, Try Ringwood, or these couple of e-bay sellers BEJ or SCG

Edited By JasonB on 14/06/2020 20:05:51

Bit off the wall maybe but do you have a Homebase or similar nearby. They do some metric cold drawn and hot rolled sizes.

Martin C

Is there a model engineering society local to you?
I can't assist, as I'm in Buxton, but you might well find someone local who would drop something off for you from their local stockholder.
Fortunately I'm close to Sheffield, so it's not a problem form me, but I know I'd be happy to pick something up on someone's behalf round here.

My preferred supplier list metric BDMS rounds  in 5,6,7,9,10, 12-18, 20,22,25,28,30,etc,  up to 170mm though not all sizes in all grades.
Most of the obvious gaps are filled by approximate imperial equivalents.

i.e. no 19mm listed, but they carry ¾"

Bill

Edited By peak4 on 15/06/2020 00:09:50

**LINK**

I've used these people recently to buy online and had a quick turnaround. They supply Imperial and Metric sizes and will cut lengths to order.

Lots of sellers on that well known auction site.

Curious to know why the usual ME suppliers are in a time warp? (I think you are right, but then some aspects of the ME world are in the same time warp anyway)

If its the lack of materials in metric sizes its probably because ME's (as against home workshop engineers) are themselves mostly working in imperial sizes because that is what is on the most of the drawings. If most customers want to purchase imperial sized stock then that is what the suppliers will hold stock.

My go-to supplier is Noggin End (not too far from me so I can collect), their website shows steel in imperial sizes but I'm sure they have some sizes in metric too.

Ian P

I bought my first batch of steel from Mackay's after getting my lathe and mill – never again. I had all sorts of problems getting a consistent finish when turning. Eventually I asked a commercial machine shop (that I was using for work) where they bought their metal. They told me and commented they didn't use Mackay's as their steel was carp. I bought from their recommendation and immediately got a lovely turned finish.

I buy from a variety of sources, but mostly Parkersteel and M-Machine.

Andrew

To Mc Black 2,

I think I got my wires crossed, I should have said I was surprised to hear that Metric stock was so hard to find !!

The old grey cells are not what they used to be !!

If buying from commercial stockholders it's often cheaper to buy the standard length; 3m for steel and 6m for alumiumium. For small sections, less than ~25mm diameter, that's what I do. Over time you build up a good stock of basic steel and alumimium.

Andrew

Do you mean eBay? If so, why not say so? I'm puzzled as to why people continually say things like 'that well known auction site', 'fleabay', 'evilbay' etc.

Not easy ! I suspect Andrew has a van with a roof rack. I have and can move almost anything on it, including two 20 ft lengths of 50×50 heavy wall box tubing, a while ago. For some strange reason everyone on the road gave me plenty of room ! No speeding, but we got home, 60 mile trip, safely., not sure I would like to repeat it though