Metal stock

[daisytwoduffsParticipant @daisytwoduffs]

Hi Engineers!
As a model making beginner, I am disappointed with the prices quoted for stock bar, ferrous and non-ferrous.

Where do you guys get your stock from and will I have to pay “through the nose” for it?
cheers,

Daisy

 

[Jim NicParticipant @jimnic]

I get most of my stock metals from either Macc Models or M Machine.

In general modelling materials are not cheap; it is a small (and shrinking) customer base and individual modellers buy relatively small quantities.  It is possible to buy bar ends and offcuts cheaper from e-bay sellers but I prefer to support dealers who understand my needs and will still be there when I need them in future.  I also prefer to buy material that I can be confident is a known specification and suitable for working on my hobby machinery.

I would suggest that, as a beginner, you use known suppliers and buy known materials at least until you get used to your machinery.  I’m sure there are many modellers on here who would agree that you should avoid material of unknown spec from scrap bins and other cheap sources.

Jim

[Phil PParticipant @philp]

I can tell you where NOT to buy from if you send me a message.

Phil

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Unles syou are going to by 3m or 6m lengths then you will end up paying a bit of a premium for the typical 1ft or 300mm lengths and more again if it is a larger section sold by teh inch or mm.

I tend to use M-machine as they have  agood range but do use Ringwood For steel rounds which I tend to buy at their 3x 1m rate for upto 12mm and anything bigger by the 1m or 500mm.

 

Also watch postage, some sellers will include it with each piece of metal even if it says “post free”, others will bunch the items together and do postage based on weight thresholds. Though long lengths will again cost a premium.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

I use ebay quite a lot these days.  “Metal Bar Ends” are useful if they happen to have what you want, particularly good for high strength aluminium alloys , 2014A aka h15, suitable for con rods.  Other specialist dealers often sell their bar ends through ebay.  I recently bought a short length of seamless steel tube from “tube-bender” whose main business seems to be making roll cages.

HTH,

Rod

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Sometimes it can be worth looking round local industrial estates to see what fabricators are around. A while back when looking for a lot of angle for framing I found a small trailer maker who used masses of such and was prepared to sell at the advantageous rate they got it.
Some scrap yards are cooperative and some are  not.
In a club there is often a selection of ‘unknownium’ when cleaning out a members shed. Don’t decry the rusty stuff as it can clean up. Sadly many sheds where the owner thinks having holes in the walls for ventilation is a good idea so have their stock rusty on the upper side where condensation has been landing twice a week for ten years but it will clean up.

[Mike HurleyParticipant @mikehurley60381]

There’s at least 1 ‘notorious’ supplier who we won’t name in an open forum for legal reasons. I guess it’s the same one Phil P will advise you privately.

Alternatively, use the search facility on this site look for ‘metal suppliers’ ‘good service’ ‘terrible’ etc, most informative

Regards Mike

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

It would be interesting to know what the disappointment was. Is it the general cost of metal these days or the cost compared with what industry can buy at?

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

I too will endorse M-Machine; I have always had excellent service from them over many years.

Their website is http://www.m-machine-metals.co.uk

Phone 01325 381302. They are based at Darlington and do operate a counter service if you are near enough to make the trip cost effective. Otherwise, your purchases will reach you by the Royal Mail

Regards   Brian

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

For mild steel, visit your Steel Stockist and see if they sell their off cuts at a reasonable rate.  I am afraid that for brass, bronze etc you will not find off cuts – it’s too precious.  Get to know the price of things and look on flea b’y.

I am surprised that as we grow older (or even pass away) that those left behind don’t advertise on this site not only tools, but the materials under the bench.

Bob

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

^^..those left with it don’t want the hassle of ‘splitting it’ – how many times have we seen some bits of brass & BMS for which one might pay £100, but the sellers also insist you take a lifetime’s accumulation of thin-wall-welded-seam steel ‘furniture tubing’ and 10 mortar-boxes of rusty 5″ bar-ends that have all been cut off with a grinder..😁

[daisytwoduffsParticipant @daisytwoduffs]

Wow!
what a terrific bunch of replies to my question. Much appreciated!

I suppose being spoilt in the Service with regards to access to the metal racks onboard warships, necessary of course!! payment for stock comes as a shock.

Thanks for all your advice, my lathe will soon be whirring and cutting!

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

After patronising our works scrap yard, it came as a huge shock to buy material from local stock holders, even in 3 M lengths.

Making a set of 12″ bending rolls, suddenly became expensive!

Try local machinists in case they are willing to sell (Maybe even donate) any dog ends. It may be better than them having to pay to have them taken away

Howard

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

have a local suplyer, Better Metal, I dont know where you are but these are resonable priced and collect if you can.

Better Metal Stores Ltd
Unit A2 Salcombe Rd,
Alfreton,
DE55 7RG

I also buy from M-Machine Metals     They have an online catalogue which you download and call for informayion as they are very helpfull and will cut other sizes as well if asked.

M-Machine Unit 6 Forge Way, Cleveland Trading Estate, Cleveland St, Darlington DL1 2PJ

David

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

Macc Models for me.

 

I find that a big £100+ order restocks me. If I need something special, I just pay and forget.

 

General bar ends etc, I get from work!

 

Good luck

 

Jimb

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

It might be something for us to compile a list that can be turned into a map on here. Our usual suppliers advertising in the mags normally do materials if they do castings though not always. I remember going to Chronos where they had brass but not steel – not checked current policy. I started with a visit to Kennions for a beginners pack they used to advertise 30 years ago.

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