M-Machine-Metals?

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

I ordered some metal from M-Machine-Metals over a week ago, the 16th I think. I was told delivery would be Monday/Tuesday, ie, 20th/21st. Nothing has turned up. It could be that the metal is out of stock. The company is not good at telling you this, the order simply doesn't turn up. In order to find out what is going on I have tried 'phoning several times yesterday and today. I always get the 'line busy' message, which I have never had before. Does anybody know what is going on?

Andrew

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

Getting the same, was hoping to order some material to collect from Harrogate Maybe they are inundated with orders ?

[Jesse Hancock 1Participant @jessehancock1]

It's possible they are very busy but that should not affect the delivery or at the very least a text or fax to let you know the state of play. (That's what we did back when I was QC/Liaison/Piggy in the middle.)

To be fair if it's a one man band then I might be less critical however to jepordise losing a customer these days is plain daft.

I really don't like internet buying for this reason.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I usually e-mail an order and give some card details, asking for them to phone with total and security code. Usually takes about a week for them to get the order ready but comes quickly once paid for.

Unlike a lot of the ME suppliers I don't think they keep much stock in 12" and 24" lengths, its all cut off the bar as the orders come in so not just a case of picking it off the shelf.

[Michael Cox 1Participant @michaelcox1]

I have been using M machine to buy metal for about 10 years and I have found them to be very good. I usually send the order by email and then phone to pay by credit card. Usually they can tell me that they have the stock and give me an indication of delivery. I am very pleased with the service that I have had from them.

I suspect that the charming lady that handles the phone calls is off work for some reason.

Mike

[Anonymous]

I appreciate that they cut to order from bar; that's one reason I use them, cheaper than buying in pre-cut 12" lengths. They did quote the delivery time assuming they cut on the Friday. As it happens I need a 48" length due to a foul up on one of the front wheels for my traction engines. I normally buy from commercial steel stockholders in the standard ~3m lengths, but unfortunately 3" x 3/16" seems to be almost unobtanium.

I guess I'll have to keep trying the dog 'n' bone.

Andrew

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Hi Andrew,

I ordered some 316 SS last week and received it just over 24 hrs. later. Mark Payne was my contact.

Tony

[mickParticipant @mick65121]

You think you've got problems, I ordered £340 worth of material from MK metals on 08/12/2014 which took four months to arrive and even then was one piece short, which finally arrived two weeks ago!!!!

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Sounds like you are getting ready to try out your rolls Andrew, keep us posted of how they perform.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Some companies close down either side of a show to pack up and prepare.

Neil

[WorkshopPeteParticipant @workshoppete]

Hi All

M Machine are quite a large company the metal supply business is a small part of their business. They manufacture early mini replacement panels another part is a very large machine shop – the smoke box handle that James May made for the P2 Prince of Wales was filmed in M Machines workshop their building is only 10 minutes walk from the Tornado / P2 premises. Until recently they also did the painting on a number of full size locos Tornado being just one. Neil you could be right they could be getting ready for Harrogate as all their stock is in full lengths they will have to cut things down to 2 ft lengths.. I was there a couple of weeks ago and I know at that point they had not started. I believe last year it took a couple of runs Darlington to Harrogate to get all their stock down. I ordered a few items by email for delivery at Harrogate Mark was on the phone the next day confirming the order and taking payment.

Regards

Peter

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

hi andrew,

i have used M-Machine Metals for all sorts of large orders over the last 5 years and their service has always been extremely good. if you give them a 'phone im sure they will will tell you what's up in your case.

cheers,

julian

[Donald MitchellParticipant @donaldmitchell68891]

I just phoned M-Machine at 2.00 p.m. – phone picked up on the first ring – quoted no problem to order metal for pickup at Harrogate. Ordered stuff, paid by card, everybody happy.

I have ordered from M-Machine a good number of times now and received delivery usually the next day, or the next day at the most.

I have also visited M-Machine store, very impressive place, massive stocks of anything you want cut to whatever size you want and all at reasonable money.

Donald Mitchell

Bonnie Scotland.

[Anonymous]

As I said in the OP the problem with 'phoning them is that the number has always busy. However, today on the third try of the day, I did get through. After some confusion they stated that the order had gone out yesterday, on a next day delivery, as they had been waiting for the thin wall stainless steel tube (for experimentation in making my own pressure gauges). Mind you nowt has turned up today; we live in hope for tomorrow.

Andrew

[Peter LayfieldParticipant @peterlayfield]

I have dealt with M. M . for a very long time and they are first rate, not always next day , but it has never failed to arrive, always ample supplies on the Harrogate show stand, and they give good advise, F.O.C.

Peter L.

[Anonymous]

The package finally arrived today, complete with a label from the courier company dated the 28th for next day delivery.

The order was well packed and I have no complaints about the metal. I have been ordering from MM for several years; delivery has varied from a couple of days to several weeks. What threw me this time was being told delivery would be a couple of days, and then over a week later being unable to get through on the 'phone despite multiple tries over several days.

I have already used my home made bending rolls to make the front wheels for my traction engines:

However, one of them is imitating a newt after welding, and after some perfunctory attempts to sort it out with a hammer it seems easier to make another one. Hence the order for the metal.

Andrew

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