Hi Bob

Unfortunately there are no metal suppliers where I live so always have to pay carriage and as you say it does put the cost up quite a bit. I use ebay and some of the usual suppliers who advertise on this site but normally make up an order to gain best terms for carriage, it does pay to shop around but only use known suppliers or the grade/quality ordered cannot be guaranteed.

Emgee

I don’t tend to stockpile material. Prefer in to buy for each model as I need it. You soon build up odds and ends in your own scrap box then. Saves you having that lump of who knows what round the shop for years on end.

Buying small quantities of metal is not cheap but is much better than a scrap bin. There four, five, six or so suppliers of metal to model engineers, bike restorers, etc out there. They do go to shows, autojumbles etc and their prices can be competitive. It is worth shopping around between them.

It is always worth buying more metal than you need. That way you will have a stock pile of metal with a known providence. Just make sure that you mark anything fancy like high carbon or alloy steels.

JA

Bob, do a bit of local research, look for steel stockholders, non ferrous stock holders, and find out where they are, then arm yourself with a couple of pictures of what you are going to build, then head into the trade counter/office and show your pictures, tell them this is what you are building and, ask for something specific or a rootle through their scrap bin in exchange for a contribution to their coffee fund. In my experience you have a good chance of getting something at a good price. The same applies to smaller engineering companies. If you pay for what you want you can always go back.

Chris Gunn

If you're rural, for mild steel try your local agricultural blacksmith – mine has large stocks of most standard sections, in a variety of grades, and sells it by length for a very reasonable price.

I've said it once but I'll say it again, first stop every time is Metal4U if they don't have what you require then try the other outlets.

GLR do metal packs check them out, good value!

If it's plain EN1 or EN3 steel and you are in the Notts Derby area M1 J24 /25 then get in touch and feel free to call in.

I have probably 3 to 4 tonnes on stock of new steel in popular sizes that over the next year has to be condensed into a maximum of 2 tonnes.

With this in mind I'm quite prepared to sell the surplus to anyone who can collect for cost or about cost and cost to me is trade price.

Don't ask me to ship it – not going to happen. It's collect only.

I still have a load of some steel that has been stored outside on racks which has gone rusty and again this is collect only but it's free. Not a big choice of sizes but it's all EN1A or could be leaded. No markings after all these years but you will soon find out as you start to turn it.