practice metal

[projectXR2]

Hi, can anyone suggest wher i can get some cheap scrap steel to practice on befor i let loose on my project? Im in leicester if anyone knows the area

Thanks in advance

 

[brightspark]

Hi, can anyone suggest wher i can get some cheap scrap steel to practice on befor i let loose on my project? Im in leicester if anyone knows the area

Thanks in advance

go down the local scrappies or some small engineering works and bum them for scrap out of skip cheap

 

[chunkolini]

Try local fabrication or metal pressing joints.
It is amazing how helpful professionals are to idiots like us.
If you are lucky you will get past the harridan on the desk and speak to The Engineer or development bod. They seem to be the ones, or the droid who is in charge of the skip.
Whatever, be cheeky, be honest and be polite.
You will be helped.
I have been humbled over the years by how nice folk have been for gain to themselves.
I remember paying scrap value for a boot load of stuff, they weighed it up and charged me £1.30 and gave me a reciept, even kept a straight face.

Chunko'.

 

[series2]

go down the local scrappies or some small engineering works and bum them for scrap out of skip cheap

I found a couple of local fabrication shops that are happy for me to rummage through their scrap bins. I usually hand over one of them assorted boxes of biccys, engineers like tea and biccys!

 

[Hitch]

£1.30!

A donation into the coffee machine does us for small bits of rubbish normally.

Some are a reallll pain. Make your mind up what you need and how much before you get there, not so bad if you just want a few offcuts of sheet.

 

[Welderpaul]

We get a fella in at least once a week. 'Rat man' the lads called him for some reason. He used to just have a few bits out of the bins, god knows what he does with it all, but he now turns up with a cutting list He gets charged accordingly.
Theres another lad who comes in, 14 he is. Came in with his Dad originally, lad is interested in welding/knocking a few things up. Always go a long way to help him. Always brings his projects in to show me/lads.

As long as no ones taking the pee, a few quid in the brew box buys whatever bits are in the bin/offcuts off the rack. When we start having to cut stuff to size, folding money has to change hands.

We quite often don't have stuff small enough section/sheet for what people want.

 

[series2]

^^^what they say^^^

Wherever you go, don't take the p**s. If you're after a few odds and ends, they will usually oblige, but if you are after stock for a bigger project be prepared to pay.

I recently wanted an 8'x4' of 2mm ali sheet to replace the rear floor in one of my Landys, and because I know the lads and never turn up "empty handed", I got the ali at cost and they guillotined it up for me. They wouldn't take any money off me for thier time, so the next time I was passing I dropped them in a bag full of stuff from the bakers (and I got a cup of tea and helped to eat the cakes).

It helps that the owner likes old cars, and likes to talk about the work I do, and what they are doing.

 

[tux]

I have the sides off a couple of old washing machines and dishwashers. Maybe see whats up for grabs on freecycle and dump the rest at the local recycling centre.
Make sure you clean it up well before welding though as sometimes it is galvanised.

 

[Bash_25]

Hi, can anyone suggest wher i can get some cheap scrap steel to practice on befor i let loose on my project? Im in leicester if anyone knows the area

Thanks in advance

Hello mate - I used to work at frank berrys yard down western boulevard, we always had students and the like after a bit of steel to practise with or make sculptures etc.
They always used to just get you to chuck a couple of quid in the charity box on the weighbridge counter.

Theyre up harrison road in wigston nowcalled LSPS - ive been in there myself rooting around in the heap - looking for some tubing.
Wigston car breakers are next door too - you might pick up a bit of car body steel from them for next to nothin too.

 

[bump]

Hello mate - I used to work at frank berrys yard down western boulevard, we always had students and the like after a bit of steel to practise with or make sculptures etc.

Wow, that takes me back! I remember when that was all cleared and turned into the green space it is currently with the walk through from Narborough Road.

There used to be loads of fab shops in the area for getting hold of offcuts, where abouts are you and I can try some of my old contacts to see if they can help.

 

[projectXR2]

thanks for all the ideas and suggestions guys, im just after some off cuts any shape or size dont have to be huge amounts to practice on will be happy to donate a few quid to the brew fund etc for a box of scrap. Im in LE3 so not far from wher you mentioned

Dan

 

[SC_BK]

See if you can get a couple of old washing machines, you can practice welding on the sheet steel and weigh in the copper/alloy

 

[weldingscotty803]

if you ever venture near me you can have a box full of odd bits. got a few boxes of bits 'i will (never) use'
i dont throw anything away anymore, normally need it just after the pikeys have taken it