UK Source for Small Structural Steel Channel?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Before I think about ordering from the US, milling from solid or fabricating does anyone know of a UK source for small structural steel channel, preferably taperd flange though PFC would do at a push.

I'm looking for something like 1" x 1/2" which seems readily avalable in the US but smallest here that I have found is 20x40mm.

Thanks, Jason

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

[Phil PParticipant @philp]

There is some aluminium 1" x 0.5" channel on ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Channel-C-U-section-profile-gutter-1-x0-5-25mm-12mm-metre-/112038285972?var=&hash=item1a16009294:m:m2Gs4pZsCMpi4TLwJME1ZHQ

Phil

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Cut 25mm box section from Wickes/B&Q in half with a slitting saw?

http://www.diy.com/departments/varnished-steel-square-tube-h25mm-w25mm-l1m/254010_BQ.prd?_requestid=3214213

N.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Phil, thanks its a possibility particularly if I opt to machine it as there will be less material to remove, I'm thinking of using a tapered flute milling cutter with the corners knocked off to get the tapered flange & internal radius and then thin the back of the web to match.

Neil, the problem with box is that it has rounded external corners which just won't look right and the wall may be a bit thin

The other method if I opt to make it is to cut down 25mm angle and then weld two bits back together to form the "C"

Edited By JasonB on 12/09/2016 19:24:50

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

You could try Metals Supermarket, they describe it on their website, but they have American origins so they may not stock it, but they do list rolled channel.

metalsupermarkets.co.uk/blog/structural-steel/

According to that blog you need to search ';parallel flange channel' which is what it's called in the UK. I found some, but too big.

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 12/09/2016 19:29:49

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Thank's Neil but as I said in the opening post I'd prefer not to use PFCs (parallel flange Channel) but the more traditional looking Tapered flange channel which is the one that is available down to 20×40. I do know my types of structural steel but usually work with it in 1:1 scale being a bit of a builder

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

How about 20 x 10 x 3 in Stainless? Metals4U

Dave

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Now thats looking more like it, just need to work out my sizes, to see if I could get away with that small, shame the next size up is 30mm though with 4.5mm legs I could skim it down by 3 or 4mm

Edited By JasonB on 12/09/2016 19:59:54

[Boiler BriParticipant @boilerbri]

You never cease to amaze us with your models and skills what are you making now?

Brian

[Phil PParticipant @philp]

I reckon it is some sort of vehicle chassis rails.

Phil

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Very strange that small sizes of c channel are so hard to find on the web. I'm sure I've seen it about.

Very odd. I have similar trouble finding tools in my workshop: anything needed urgently becomes invisible!

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 12/09/2016 20:21:22

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Brian and Phil, I want it for the side rails of a cart to mount a hit and miss engine on. I need to play around with some sizes as this engine was usually mounted on a simple wood sled with cast wheels but I have been asked to do it on an all steel cart that is more often found on the larger HP engines.

This is a rather poor scan of what it is likely to be like, not sure if you can make out the two inward facing channels with a timber cross piece. Hubs should be fun too

J

This is the engine that will be going onto it, a 5/16scale Root & Vandervoort vertical which also has a large round screen cooler and water pump to go with it on the cart.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Taper flange channel (BS 4) is now obsolete in UK, and small sections of PFC are not all that readily available, you did well finding the 40*20 taper, it would be interesting to know if they actually have some rather than just listing it on website.

I once slit some round tube longways to make a flared top for a tender. It went very banana shaped. Someone who has done it can hopefully advise if this happens with RHS. Just watch out where the weld is before you get stuck in. Have you asked a local sheet metal man if he can fold it for you? I find them very helpful as long as you don't want it tomorrow and speak to them nicely.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Thanks Duncan, I can get bent section but its a bit like cutting the box that Neil linked to – you get rounded external corners.

Funny enough I slit some ERW tube the other day to get some rounded corners, did not seem to move, at least not to my eyes but were 3mm thick. I welded the half sections to flat plate and then cut away half again to leave a 1/4 circle of the required 5/8" height

They form the sides of this hopper

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

What do you know found somebody with some channel to sell on another forum

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