Mild Steel Rod in Metric Sizes

[MC Black 2Participant @mcblack2]

Does anybody know if any metal suppliers offer Mild Steel Road in Metric sizes, please?

I have been perusing catalogues and can only find Fractional Imperial Sizes.

Very many thanks for taking the time to read this

MC Black

[MC Black 2Participant @mcblack2]

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

Try Macc Models. They have a link on the right hand side.

Jim

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

M-machine have plenty of metric stock, Mallard do a bit.

But you may be better off using suppliers other then the usual ME ones who mostly seem to be in a time warp, Try Ringwood, or these couple of e-bay sellers BEJ or SCG

Edited By JasonB on 14/06/2020 20:05:51

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Another case for an approximate location. My local to me in the Midlands steel stockholder carries a good range.

[Martin ConnellyParticipant @martinconnelly55370]

Bit off the wall maybe but do you have a Homebase or similar nearby. They do some metric cold drawn and hot rolled sizes.

Martin C

[MC Black 2Participant @mcblack2]

Gentlemen

Thank you all for taking the time to respond.

I have written to the firms listed requested catalogues.

I am located in Hertfordshire – I am NOT aware of any nearby metal stockholders.

But since I'm elderly and disabled I'm having to rely on Mail Order at present.

I'm reluctant to leave home until I'm vaccinated – so I could be indoors for another year!

With best wishes and thanks again.

MC

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Is there a model engineering society local to you?
I can't assist, as I'm in Buxton, but you might well find someone local who would drop something off for you from their local stockholder.
Fortunately I'm close to Sheffield, so it's not a problem form me, but I know I'd be happy to pick something up on someone's behalf round here.

My preferred supplier list metric BDMS rounds  in 5,6,7,9,10, 12-18, 20,22,25,28,30,etc,  up to 170mm though not all sizes in all grades.
Most of the obvious gaps are filled by approximate imperial equivalents.

i.e. no 19mm listed, but they carry ¾"

Bill

Edited By peak4 on 15/06/2020 00:09:50

[MC Black 2Participant @mcblack2]

Thank you for taking the time to respond and for the suggestions.

I'm NOT aware of a society in East Hertfordshire (but will NOT be surprised if somebody enlightens me soon!).

The nearest metal supplier is Mackay at Cambridge. I've bought metal in person from them in the past at very reasonable prices but it's an hour's drive to the south west edge of the city and then maybe another half an hour to the shop on the east side.

With best wishes and thanks again.

MC Black

[Graham StoppaniParticipant @grahamstoppani46499]

**LINK**

I've used these people recently to buy online and had a quick turnaround. They supply Imperial and Metric sizes and will cut lengths to order.

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Most suppliers over here carry Metric and other. I use both.

[Brian OldfordParticipant @brianoldford70365]

Lots of sellers on that well known auction site.

[MC Black 2Participant @mcblack2]

JasonB recommended Mallard…

I have received a message this morning from Robin Wicklen's email account which reads:

It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that my husband Rob who owned and ran the company suddenly and totally unexpectedly passed away a few weeks ago. We as a family are in total shock and disbelief. We have therefore made the decision to close the office as we try to come to terms with our loss, so at the moment we are unable to accept any new orders or provide quotations.

MCB

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

Posted by JasonB on 14/06/2020 19:55:48:

M-machine have plenty of metric stock, Mallard do a bit.

But you may be better off using suppliers other then the usual ME ones who mostly seem to be in a time warp, Try Ringwood, or these couple of e-bay sellers BEJ or SCG

Edited By JasonB on 14/06/2020 20:05:51

Curious to know why the usual ME suppliers are in a time warp? (I think you are right, but then some aspects of the ME world are in the same time warp anyway)

If its the lack of materials in metric sizes its probably because ME's (as against home workshop engineers) are themselves mostly working in imperial sizes because that is what is on the most of the drawings. If most customers want to purchase imperial sized stock then that is what the suppliers will hold stock.

My go-to supplier is Noggin End (not too far from me so I can collect), their website shows steel in imperial sizes but I'm sure they have some sizes in metric too.

Ian P

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Would expect most steel stockholders to carry metal in metric sizes. The problem, apart from being able to visit in person, is they will probably supply in 3 metre lengths! Often, they will cut, once or twice for free, but charge for further cuts.

Buying in short lengths, of 1 or 2 feet will be more costly, since you have to pay for someone to cut the long lengths into the short pieces that you require.

If it is any consolation, I once drove home in a Renault five with two eighteen foot lengths of inch and half angle iron on the roof rack. Had to be careful going round corners because of the overhang at front and back!

Ditto for TV aerial masts

Howard

[Anonymous]

Posted by MC Black 2 on 15/06/2020 00:37:50:

The nearest metal supplier is Mackay at Cambridge.

I bought my first batch of steel from Mackay's after getting my lathe and mill – never again. I had all sorts of problems getting a consistent finish when turning. Eventually I asked a commercial machine shop (that I was using for work) where they bought their metal. They told me and commented they didn't use Mackay's as their steel was carp. I bought from their recommendation and immediately got a lovely turned finish.

I buy from a variety of sources, but mostly Parkersteel and M-Machine.

Andrew

[MC Black 2Participant @mcblack2]

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

I have never had any problems with Mackay's metal but am grateful for the warning.

I have used Aluminium Warehouse at Hatfield in the past – which is convenient for collection – but they have introduced a Minimum Order value (even for collection).

At they same time, they introduced Brass and Steel ranges – but I don't want to have to buy 3 metre lengths.

MC

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

To Mc Black 2,

I think I got my wires crossed, I should have said I was surprised to hear that Metric stock was so hard to find !!

The old grey cells are not what they used to be !!

[MC Black 2Participant @mcblack2]

At the time of writing, all the Metal "for model engineers" catalogues in my possession only offered Imperial Sizes.

While I would NOT be surprised if Industrial suppliers offered metric sizes, I don't want 3 metre lengths!

MCB

[Anonymous]

If buying from commercial stockholders it's often cheaper to buy the standard length; 3m for steel and 6m for alumiumium. For small sections, less than ~25mm diameter, that's what I do. Over time you build up a good stock of basic steel and alumimium.

Andrew

[MC Black 2Participant @mcblack2]

How do you get 6 metre lengths – or even three metres – in your car?

MC

[Bodger BrianParticipant @bodgerbrian]

Posted by Brian Oldford on 15/06/2020 09:20:21:

Lots of sellers on that well known auction site.

Do you mean eBay? If so, why not say so? I'm puzzled as to why people continually say things like 'that well known auction site', 'fleabay', 'evilbay' etc.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by MC Black 2 on 16/06/2020 14:06:40:

How do you get 6 metre lengths – or even three metres – in your car?

MC

I get the stockholder to chop it into 1.5 meter lengths.

If they charge for cutting, it's not much.

Neil

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Not easy ! I suspect Andrew has a van with a roof rack. I have and can move almost anything on it, including two 20 ft lengths of 50×50 heavy wall box tubing, a while ago. For some strange reason everyone on the road gave me plenty of room ! No speeding, but we got home, 60 mile trip, safely., not sure I would like to repeat it though

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

Posted by MC Black 2 on 16/06/2020 14:06:40:

How do you get 6 metre lengths – or even three metres – in your car?

MC

I can get 3m in my aged 200sx with only a foot hanging out the boot =- been done with a kitchen worktop. Of course you can always clamp to the front wing and pretend it's a whip antenna….difficult with 50mm diameter though

pgk

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