Where to buy small quantities of 316 steel 60mm (2 3/8 inch) diameter

[John AitkenParticipant @johnaitken84086]

I've been trying to buy 316 steel of either 60mm or 2 3/8 inch diameter and I need 3x 40mm long sections. I contacted the two big steel suppliers in my city. Ones communication skills were so bad they were non-existent. After three emails and two calls no one answered or replied to I got given a quote for the wrong thing. I went in to talk to them and they were good and tried to get me a quote but the computer system was so bad they said they’d email me and guess what. No email so I’m done with them now.

The other quoted me £325 for a 3m long bar and when I asked what the minimum order was they sent me a quote for a 4m bar at £1040 (one thousand and forty) that’s not a typo.

Twice I’ve paid small online suppliers about £85 for the stuff to have my order cancelled and I really need this.

What do I do now? Anyone that has this is wanting me to buy far more than I need or is charging through the roof. Where can I buy this at a reasonable price.

[John AitkenParticipant @johnaitken84086]

[John PParticipant @johnp77052]

Try metal 4u

https://www.metals4u.co.uk/materials/stainless-steel/stainless-steel-round/1254-p

60 mm dia 316 x 120 mm long £ 54.35 + post

John

[Frank GorseParticipant @frankgorse]

Try M Machine Metals. They don’t list those exact sizes but would probably be able to machine them from the next larger and they supply by the inch. Very good service too.

Edited By Frank Gorse on 08/07/2022 10:51:24

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

I dealt with metals4u last week and they were very efficient

**LINK**

They will cut to length

HTH,

Rod

Edited By Roderick Jenkins on 08/07/2022 10:55:10

[Ron LadenParticipant @ronladen17547]

+1 for M Machine Metals they will cut and supply to whatever size you require

[peak4Participant @peak4]

If you're any where near Sheffield, I use AMB
https://steelstockholders-sheffield.co.uk/product/2-38-diameter-316-stainless-steel/

Bill

Edited By peak4 on 08/07/2022 11:34:59

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

As a general point, try first the retailers who advertise here or in ME & MEW.

Then for ones whose publicity at least suggests they will sell small quantities to private buyers – model-engineers, vehicle restorers, etc.

My guess is that even without their inept or lazy administration, you had gone first to industrial stockists who sell only to the trade, on trade accounts, and sell mostly whole manufactured lengths. That's probably why they ignored you. I remember the tiny print on MacReady's delivery-notes explicitly refused non-trade sales.

("Our" retailers quite likely buy their stock from such firms!)

Alternatively, if you are forced to buy entire lengths, can you share it with anyone, e.g. in a club, or sell the surplus on here? Though I must admit not many will need much 60mm diameter 316 stainless-steel.

[John AitkenParticipant @johnaitken84086]

Posted by Nigel Graham 2 on 08/07/2022 12:51:36:

…you had gone first to industrial stockists who sell only to the trade, on trade accounts, and sell mostly whole manufactured lengths. That's probably why they ignored you.

I understand that but they could have at least sent me an email saying something link "our minimum order is 20m" so we can't take your order. When I spoke to them in store I was told the minimum order was 500mm (50cm) so I can only think their communication skills suck and that's why I got no reply. I think I might use metals4U.

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