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Idiots guide to buying steel...
m8kwr - 25/11/09 at 11:29 AM

I am looking at purchasing some steel for a chassis and workbenches.

I was just going to get 25x25x2 for the work benches.

For the chassis I am going to be using the above and some round tubing.

I have not got a clue what i should stay clear of, or ask when ordering to make sure i am getting the best for my application.

Any advise would be great.


rgrs - 25/11/09 at 11:45 AM

Have a look at parker steel linky

Give them a ring and get a quote, very helpfull and set delivery charges .

Roger


m8kwr - 25/11/09 at 11:54 AM

Unfortunately Parker Steel does not deliver to where i live!!!!!!

Does anyone know anyone who delivers to the Stafford area???


MikeR - 25/11/09 at 12:07 PM

look up metal supermarket.

Also look up steel stock holders in yell.com / yellow pages.

Give them a call and compare prices. Make sure you get prices for delivered and including VAT.

If you're doing a standard chassis almost everyone uses 1.5mm (1.6mm is 16 gauge, 1.5mm is the metric equivalent)


bbwales - 25/11/09 at 12:28 PM

Hi,

Try FWB, they have a depot is Stoke so you might be lucky.

Regards

Bob


paul the 6th - 25/11/09 at 12:40 PM

I tried various online steel suppliers but they were all rubbish - had a look in my yellow pages and found steel stockholders with a no frills listing just up the road from me... Best value I've found yet and very helpful fella's.

Grab your local yellow pages and have a gander


David Jenkins - 25/11/09 at 12:42 PM

You'll be wanting bog-standard 25mm mild steel ERW square tube (ERW = electrical resistance welded). This is the stuff that has a bluish weld line down one side. You don't need anything special.

When I bought my steel I went to a local industrial stockist. To keep the price to a minimum I bought whole lengths (20ft?) uncut, and arranged for delivery for a day when they were in the area anyway. Work out what you need for the whole job so that you only have one delivery to pay for.

If you do that, remember that the pieces are long and take a fair amount of space (in one direction anyway!). Also note that they'll probably be coated in a dirty black greasy preservative that's a pig to wash off you hands (so don't ask your wife to take them into the garage! ).


dhutch - 25/11/09 at 03:17 PM

Did, erw steel box.
- Dimentions and wall to suit what ou doing with it. Place the weld in logical places where posable.

See wheres local, see wheres cheap, get quotes.

Local place in Loughborough is Adey steelshop but just look for places in the area.

Again, for cheapest, order full lenghts and collect or have delivered at a time to suit them.

I buy lots online, but just likle you wouldnt mail order bricks, coal, petrol you dont mail order bog std steel stock very often as it just costs to move it so much.

Daniel


Alan B - 25/11/09 at 03:40 PM

Damn.....you killed my idea for brickscoalandpetrolonline.com....

I hate you....LOL