Small bits of steel in the UK by post.

[Ian Stirling]

I'm looking for say 10*12mm*1m square bar. (I don't especially care about what sort of steel, it's a rail to run bearings on, and won't be stressed)

The only online steel stockist that I've found that delivers (to Fife, postcode KY7) will do this for around a tenner, which is quite reasonable. (

) And 150 delivery, which is rather silly.

(admittedly, 20 quid in many areas, which doesn't help me at all.)

Any thoughts?

[Robbo]

[Phil L]

B&Q do stuff like this, although I only found it recently, so they may have only just started it, failing that, a hardware store..forget online considering it's only a metre...expect to pay £3.43p in B&Q, probably less at a hardware store.

[Autolycus]

don't ask for 10*12 _square_ bar. They'll send you to the stores for a Long Weight. "Bright mild steel flat" is probably a better starting point.

I've not checked their delivery charges.

[Grimly Curmudgeon]

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember Ian Stirling saying something like:

Look in YP and find a farmers' supply store. Farmers need bits of steel quite often for repairing gates, machinery, etc. Even if you're in a town, there's bound to be one somewhere within car distance.

[Andy Burns]

Have shop4steel deliver it for =A320 to a friend/relative south of the=20 border, and then have them post it up to you?

[Ian Stirling]

Sorry, I should have been clearer - 10 * 12mm*1m square.

I think I'll end up phoning round and finding if anyone stocks it locally in whole lengths, and turn up with a hacksaw.

[John Rumm]

Have you tried RS?

[Mark]

My nearest steel stockiest is 30miles away It still works out much much cheaper for me to go and buy complete lengths rather then pay for cutting and delivery. Try yell.com

-

[nightjar]

That is based on sending a lorry, probably their own, with the stuff in 20ft lengths.

The weight would be about 12kg. Provided it has been cut to length, a local carrier would probably pick that up for you for £10-£15. The cutting charge will push the price up a bit though.

Colin Bignell

[Mary Fisher]

Our steel supplier is happy to cut lengths or to let Spouse do it, it makes sense.

Mary

[manatbandq]

They've done it for some years, at least in the bigger stores.

Also try model engineering suppliers. I was going to suggest Chronos but they only do 12" lengths.

MBQ

[Ian Stirling]

Yes, they apparantly only stock 18 carat steel.

[John Laird]

You could try contacting this guy:

will sell you 500mm lengths, but I note the aluminium bar can be supplied up to 2m so you may be able to get longer steel lengths too. Delivery is quoted per order.

Alternatively, contact a local high school or tech college and see if you can find out where the metalwork shop gets its supplies.

(I am looking out of my window at 4-7m lengths of 483x305 "bar", but you might have to bring your own fork-lift and suitably large car, and then draw it yourself...]

[Ian Stirling]

I saw him. Unfortunately, at 30 quid a meter, and I need 20m, it's by far cheaper to pay the 150 delivery! (I'm not sure that there isn't some reason that his is worth it - just that whatever it is isn't worth it over any other steel) He does have interesting stuff, and some of it is reasonably priced.

Hmm, that's a good idea.

Tempting. I think I'd really need a rolling mill though :)

[John Laird]

We have one of those too, but I'm not sure if they work along the B&Q style lines of bringing your raw material along and waiting for it to be cut to size. Sadly.

[I calculated the weight of a 1m strip of 12.5mm square section at about 1kg, does that sound right ? I would've thought shipping 10kg wasn't the most difficult task - tape them together and stick a plastic cap on each end to protect other packages and Robert's your Dad's brother. That little lot would cost somewhat under a tenner coming out of the mill, by the way.]

[Ian Stirling]

Yeah - I realised I need some more stuff - 20mm*20mm square hollow section too, for it to run in. So that tips it towards wandering along somewhere with a hacksaw, or more likely small genny + angle grinder.

Thanks.

[meow2222]

Never turn down an excuse for a new tool :) Even if it is a bit on the large side.

NT

[Adam Aglionby]

Edinburgh suppliers, Brown and Clegg at Sighthill, be aware of =A320 minimum charge, if it costs less than =A320 they just charge you the 20 and don`t tell you, not the most friendly.

Blakes in South Fort Street;

remember name in Broxburn, generally cheapest, will ask and post when have the name.

Adam

[John Laird]

A tad. Although the rod mill is shorter than the bloom and billet mill which is the best part of a mile long. You might need to get BCO approval before erecting it in your back garden.