How long is a piece of string.

[AllanF]

I know it's as the title says! But, I'll ask anyway. I've just started welding again after about fifty years, yes, half a century! I've got a Chinese made Hitbox 250 which will do mig and stick welding. I've been making a few things using 20*20*3 angle which have come out OK using mig with SGS gas.
I need to buy some more steel and I want to make up the order so the delivery cost seems sensible. I don't have any particular plans but can anyone suggest some types of material that would be useful?
The question looks even more stupid now it's written down but I still think I'll post it!
Allan

 

[Seadog]

Order from Brundle's. Delivery is a flat £10.

 

[Pete.]

I would buy some box section of various sizes and up to 3mm wall. Why? Because if you're gonna fabricate anything with your welder then it's likely that box section is going to be used. You can practice cutting bevels, fitting up, welding into and out of corners and it's useful to have.

 

[AllanF]

Order from Brundle's. Delivery is a flat £10.

Thanks, that's who I'm hoping to use. I just thought adding a bit more stuff makes the whole lot seem cheaper. I'll have a think about the box section, that seems sensible.
Allan

 

[bricol]

I don't know if I would be being random stuff on the off chance.

You'll either waste it on somethings it's not quite good for, or something it's over the top for, or even keep saving it for some better, more important job.

Maybe just a little extra of what you actually want to cover mistakes in measuring?

 

[Nick DV]

Thanks, that's who I'm hoping to use. I just thought adding a bit more stuff makes the whole lot seem cheaper. I'll have a think about the box section, that seems sensible.
Allan

The staff at the Southampton branch are really helpful if you have any questions. If you need any off cuts or smaller lengths of steel, the there is a Metal Supermarket in So'ton

 

[ajlelectronics]

Twice the length of it from the centre to one end.

 

[AllanF]

Any suggestions for the size of box section? I may think of making a work bench or perhaps a stand for my bender.
Allan

 

[Smallfry]

I find 50 x 25 x 3mm useful for a lot of things.

As regards a bench, it depends how hefty you want it to be. I make mine from warehouse pallet racking altered to suit. Its very strong, adaptable, and fully demountable.

 

[Turbo]

It depends on what you plan to make.
I usually keep this
shs in 25, 40 and 50mm.
25x3, 40x6 and 50x6 flat strip
Equal angle in 25, 40 and 50.

I try to design anything I make around these material sizes.

If its a bespoke object the customer buys the material before I start.

 

[BrokenBiker]

My 'general' order is a few lengths of 50x20x2.5mm RHS, a few lengths of 50x50x3 SHS, a length or 2 of 50mm tube, few lengths of 50x50x2.5 angle and some 50x3 flat bar, occasionally a length of 50x5 flat as well...

As a home gamer that covers virtually everything I need to make like frames, stands, jigs and what not, if I do any gate work I order flat bar as needed.

Brundles are my go to, 10 quid flat rate carriage and they are well priced

 

[AllanF]

Many thanks to all, I'll be ordering a selection of sizes a little later.
Allan

 

[BrokenBiker]

I also like to keep atleast 1x 500x500x10 plate...for the sake of 30nquid it comes in very handy for heavier repairs, or making things that need to be stout...easilly weldable with a 3.2mm rod and a few passes.