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Aluminium suppliers
Slimy38 - 19/8/13 at 09:29 PM

Anyone got any pointers for sourcing aluminium sheet? I'm seeing around £50 just for a piece to do the flooring, seems a bit high.


CNHSS1 - 19/8/13 at 09:52 PM

try Shropshire Stainless in Shrewsbury, the owner used to have a westfield and luvverly Mk2 escort rally car

used to have large sheets of ally sheet in various grades all racked out when I used to pop in their for bits when building mine


MK9R - 19/8/13 at 10:48 PM

Droitwich Aluminium


puma931 - 20/8/13 at 06:19 AM

try http://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk

[Edited on 20/8/13 by puma931]


Talon Motorsport - 20/8/13 at 08:24 AM

Ali is expensive and when you call or email the supplier the answer you will get may not include the VAT or delivery so make sure you ask before you pay. Last quote I had for 8x4 or 2500x1250 3mm ali sheet was £84.


Slimy38 - 20/8/13 at 09:07 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Talon Motorsport
Ali is expensive and when you call or email the supplier the answer you will get may not include the VAT or delivery so make sure you ask before you pay. Last quote I had for 8x4 or 2500x1250 3mm ali sheet was £84.


Yeah, I am finding delivery in particular isn't cheap. Aluminium Warehouse looks cheap at the moment but I need to create an account before I get shipping costs. Problem is because the floor is a decent size I do need it delivered.

I'm still tempted to go for steel panels but I wouldn't save much and I'd gain weight. It's more readily available though.


John P - 20/8/13 at 12:29 PM

It may be worth phoning some companies who use sheet in reasonable quantities and speaking to their buyer. Metal suppliers may point you in the right direction.

I used to work for a company who manufactured architectural metalwork which had to have a very good surface finish.

There were loads of sheets in storage which had been put to one side due to minor surface blemishes which they occasionally sold off for a price based on that they paid for large quantities.

I guess you's probably have to collect but wouldn't you get a suitable sheet on a roof rack?

John.


jps - 20/8/13 at 12:58 PM

Have you tried salvaging some? I got lucky with mine (see here http://meandthekitcar.wordpress.com/!) - but if you know somewhere that is recycling metal from scrapyards etc they may be able to help?

[Edited on 20/8/13 by jps]


jps - 20/8/13 at 01:38 PM

Actually - here's an idea for you....

I live locally to AB Performance (Andy Bates- he posts on here - makes a car like a Radical although I can't remember the name of it for the life of me, anyway....) and he said to me ages ago "if you need any alu sheet or things like that let me know - i'll add it to our order and you can pick it up from us, that way we put more business through to the people WE buy from - and that always helps..."

I haven't yet taken up his offer - but presumably there are people local to you who are in the car building game who you could approach - they may even let you cut the panel to a suitably floor shaped size in their workshop if you ask nicely?


loggyboy - 20/8/13 at 01:39 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jps
I live locally to AB Performance (Andy Bates- he posts on here - makes a car like a Radical although I can't remember the name of it for the life of me, anyway....)


Sabre


Slimy38 - 20/8/13 at 04:48 PM

quote:
Originally posted by John P

I guess you's probably have to collect but wouldn't you get a suitable sheet on a roof rack?

John.


I must have been having a blonde moment, it hadn't even occurred to me that it could go on a roof rack. A couple of lengths of wood to support and bingo!

At least that does potentially do away with delivery costs.


snakebelly - 20/8/13 at 06:40 PM

Im actually waiting on a price for 1mm from Martin at Shropshire Stainless, hopefully picking it up Friday, if I do order from him I could chuck it in the van and take it to the workshop in Tern Hill for you to collect on Saturday?


Andy S - 20/8/13 at 08:33 PM

Or have a chat Graham at EJ Holyoakes in Shrewsbury - Graham built himself a Locost and will also do a bit of ali welding as well - Cut to patterns etc. Pretty sure he was also member on here. Also an option for other Shropshire builders.

Andrew


Slimy38 - 20/8/13 at 08:54 PM

quote:
Originally posted by snakebelly
Im actually waiting on a price for 1mm from Martin at Shropshire Stainless, hopefully picking it up Friday, if I do order from him I could chuck it in the van and take it to the workshop in Tern Hill for you to collect on Saturday?


That would work quite nicely. I've pinged them an email to see if they have 2mm, it's mainly the floorpan that I need to get sorted first as that's the biggest piece. I'll keep you updated if things turn out right, thanks.