mild steel/aluminium suppliers in uk

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mild steel/aluminium suppliers in uk

This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 11 February 2025 at 12:35 by Julie Ann.

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11 February 2025 at 01:26 #782719
aytact
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@aytact
Hi,

I want to buy mild steel and aluminium as rods and box sections as bulk order.

Which suppliers are you using? Currently I am using metals4u for small pieces. But for bulk orders they are getting a bit expensive.

Thank you so much
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11 February 2025 at 05:48 #782720
Diogenes
Participant
@diogenes
Does ‘bulk’ mean a ‘big’ courier order? or 6m lengths on a flatbed?

What region do you live in – obviously if you can collect an order it will save you carriage and handling..?
11 February 2025 at 06:31 #782721
Speedy Builder5
Participant
@speedybuilder5
You might do well to look at the posting “Metal Stock” 9 posts down the page on this forum ??

Bob
11 February 2025 at 07:22 #782726
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
If in the South East you might try Parker Steel for the steel rod and section. Quick look at 12mm 230M07 and they are about 20% the cost of M-Machine but that is for full 3m+ lengths.

However you do really need to order in “bulk” as their own transport cost on top will make it expensive if you only buy one or two lengths. Orders over £500 are free delivery but under are £50 Plus VAT.

You will also need to be able to get a big lorry to your property and be there to unload the bundle.
11 February 2025 at 08:54 #782740
SillyOldDuffer
Moderator
@sillyoldduffer
I mostly buy from a local emporium because they’re handy. Last month, feeling better, I stocked up on Aluminium and Brass rod, and didn’t get much for £200.    I saved money by collecting, but had the metal cut to fit in my car, and they also wrapped it in tissue so as not to besmirch my upholstery! Extra work, retail prices, plus VAT.

By my standards £200 is a bulk buy, but not to this business.   Whilst waiting another customer arrived with a 3 ton flat bed on to which they loaded enough steel plate and rod to sag the suspension – at least a couple of tons, all uncut, no wrapping.   Much cheaper buying by the ton, more the better, but I have nowhere to store that much metal and would never use all of it!

If buying in professional quantities is an option, consider registering as a business and negotiating.   Might be possible to avoid retail prices, but don’t dodge VAT! (If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime…)

I haven’t found a cheap way of buying metal, only ways of slightly reducing the pain – shopping around etc. but these days I don’t bother.   The quantities I use are too small.

🙂

Dave
11 February 2025 at 10:12 #782750
noel shelley
Participant
@noelshelley55608
For Aluminium Aalco- a company with many depots. For steel look for steel stockholders there will be several in your area. You imply industrial quantities ? or are you a BIG model maker ? where abouts are you ? Noel.
11 February 2025 at 11:04 #782761
aytact
Participant
@aytact
Thank you so much for responses. Our warehouse is around Northampton, I am thinking to buy in 2 – 2.4 m lengths to make it fit into our van. We are VAT registered. Stocking is not an issue, but really I do not want to hire a lorry to carry. We have all the relevant machines to process. (I have tried to answer all posts at once) Thank you for your comments.
11 February 2025 at 11:45 #782766
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Well there is a problem from the start 2-2.4m is not a multiple of the typical 3 -3.6m stock lengths, not so bad if you can get the sizes you want in 6m lengths. Are you also purchasing the remaining 1 to 0.6m lengths that the stockholder will more than likely be charging you for as well as a cutting charge?

I don’t know what your hourly labour rate plus fuel works out at when collecting but I find in most cases I can earn more in the time it would take me to go and pick materials up than it does to have them delivered. May be different if you have a driver on minimum wage and an electric van.
11 February 2025 at 12:19 #782781
noel shelley
Participant
@noelshelley55608
ASD Metal Services are, or were at Daventry. Buy a cordless 4.5″ grinder and fit a 1 or 1.5mm cutting disc and cut to size at the Kerb, but mind the sparks and paintwork. Noel.
11 February 2025 at 12:35 #782785
Julie Ann
Participant
@julieann
Jason is correct, there is no point in buying less than the standard lengths for small section mild and black steel as you will be charged the full amount anyway. It is not economical for the supplier to keep offcuts of relatively low cost material in the hope that somebody might want it later. For a small charge you can get standard lengths cut into halves or thirds to help with handling. Parkersteel assume that you have appropriate handling capability, such as a forklift, on site.

For aluminium alloys, in commercial quantities, I used Metalfast, now part of ThyssenKrupp:

https://www.thyssenkrupp-materials.co.uk/

They used to have an outlet in Huntingdon where I could collect. Once they moved to Milton Keynes it was quicker, and cheaper, to have items delivered.

Julie
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