Have you had a look at M Machine materials.

http://www.m-machine-metals.co.uk/

Good delivery times and reasonable prices.

David

Many of the larger UK towns have an engineering supplier of some sort, where the 'everyday' basics can be bought – aluminium and its alloys, steel in various grades and finishes, but in my experience the most variable factor is their helpfulness, so be prepared to shop around.

You can use the internet to search if you are 'out in the sticks' – Feed in a local big town and an idea of what you are looking for, and let the search engine do the work. Something such as 'Doncaster – stainless steel rod' should prove helpful.

And if it is a specialised product (such as a 22mm reamer, or a model boat ventilator) then a question on this form will be helpful, as long as you also say where you are in the world.

And don't forget the suppliers who advertise in ME and MEW, and alongside this forum – their adverts help to pay for the forum itself.

Cheers, Tim

I find Aluminium Droitwich good for pieces of aluminium. They have an ebay store with a good selection of sizes and profiles. Prices and delivery are good.

No connection other than a satisfied customer.

Geoff

Agreed, but I recommend building a relationship by spending some money first!

After using my grumpy local supplier for a while, I discovered what they like and what they hate. Noting there's usually a queue:

They like customers who arrive with a clear idea of what they want and a list of alternatives if a particular alloy or size is out of stock. Big orders are more welcome than complicated small ones.

They don't like time-wasters. Chaps who turn up hoping to be told what they need, seeking advice on how to do the job, who want tiny quantities of metal, and leave in a hurry when the price is revealed. Metal is more expensive than most people expect, and cutting to size costs more money. They don't like special handling requirements, so buying a metre of 3/8mm black mild steel rod and asking for it to dropped off cheap by a passing lorry will probably raise their hackles. More likely to accommodate regular customers who buy reasonably large quantities, who live near other customers, than a chap with a mini-lathe who doesn't!

I got on much better with my lot once I'd proved I was serious. I've seen them be downright rude to anyone they thought was there expecting to buy a few inches of steel and get a lot of free advice. Also curt with an elderly gent (my age) who wanted to tell them all about how useless modern metal compared with his young day. Eventually turned out he wanted a 'quality' tap and die set, but he left without one after being told the price – over £300 plus VAT. The next customer, who had waited patiently, wanted a lorry load of RSJs and was ready to pay and take them away.

Dave

I used to deal with one of those mentioned by Jelly – I would phone an order in advance, with alternatives though usually most was EN1A and paid cash (tho I would be given a proper receipt) – with each order at least ?100 (prob now would be ?200+) + used my car to collect – stated offcuts would be acceptable or a 3m length chopped into a couple of manageable pieces. Sometimes while the order was being put together I could look over their small offcuts scrap bins and get a selection added to the bill.