Metal stock for hobby workshop

[brewdexta]

I'm just about to put an order in for steel for 4 different projects, I've added a bit extra so I have some odds and sods of stock however I thought I'd ask what others would add, steel that always comes in handy. I've got a small collection of bits of bar and bits of scrap but I'm thinking of the stuf that always comes up when your making stuff.

Things I'm making at the moment are mainly workbenches and equipment stands but I've got a stell bookcase and a sewing table stand to make too. In the future I have an area behind the house that I want to put a small open porch on and I've a catlle grid to make. I'll obtain the main bits for these closer to the time but its all the other little jobs that turn up that I'm thinking of.

Here's my cutting list so far for a workbench, a machine stand, and grinder workstation and a sewing table base.

75m of 50 x 50 x 3 M/S RHS
50m of 25 x 25 x 2 M/S RHS
7.5m of 20 x 20 x 2 M/S RHS
10mm M/S plate – 2500 x 1250 cut into 3 pieces 1250 x 833
3mm M/S sheet – 2000 x 1000 cut into 1 x 800 x 1000 and 1 x 1200 x 1000
21m of 3 x 50 M/S flat
15m of 25 x 25 x 3 M/S angle

Other stock I’m thinking of getting, not thought of quantities yet. This is what I need to expand on.
3 x 20 M/S flat
3 x 25 M/S flat
3 x 40 M/S flat

Any recommendations?

Cheers
Andy

 

[FranV8]

I tend to try and keep some 1.2mm sheet material (ms) also got 2 x 1m squares of 2mm aluminium.

Managed to get 12 x 250mm squares of 3mm ms that always proves useful for making all sorts of brackets.

I made my benches out of 30 x 30 x 3, so a metre or two of that, some angle, and some 75 x 3 strip.

I think what this list really proves is that the stock that's worth you keeping will depend on what you tend to build. You've already got enough stuff there to keep yi really busy, and if you find yourself slightly short then you can probably rob something from the next project.

One thought though, if you're ordering all that stuff pre cut then the cutting costs will soon add up, if you've got some method of cutting choosing larger sizes and reducing the number of cuts I found reduced the cost quite a bit. No need to go for stock lengths/sizes if you can't carry them. I had the ally sheet cut in half so it would fit my car.

 

[Piero]

Who do you guys use to buy your steel from ???

 

[KemppiFrog]

I was at my steel suppliers in Portugal, when a guy turned up with a neat trailer. It was set up to carry 6mt lengths by a folding rear section and a forward extension over the car. The number board clipped onto the rear end when extended. 'Bout a minute to set up. I was thinking about something similar at the time, except that they had a free cut off saw to halve the lengths for my pick up. ( note: there, one would get fined as little as 10cm overhang if the police were tax collecting)

Current supplier also has a free cut off saw, and any non full size bits are sold by weight. Also DIY, and I just go to the office with the list after I have loaded.
While the costs previously meant I just threw in assorted sizes 'just in case', now the prices warrent more carefull matching to the job.

 

[FranV8]

I use Mackays of Cambridge, find that they are happy to
A) deal with members of the public
B) I can nip in and pick stuff up
C) initially thought I might be paying over the odds, but foundthat if you try any of the online people once you actually put things in the basket and go to pay, delivery is a very significant cost!

I found much of my increased cost was likely down to me gettingthem to do most of my cutting for me.

 

[brewdexta]

I'm planning to use Ksteels of Rawtenstall, not talked to them yet, wanted to get my cutting list sorted first, but several people have recommended them. I only want the plate cut to size, some of the stuff is 3 or 3.5m standard length except the box which is 7.5m. I'll get a quote for delivery first as they are not far away then decide whether to get some of the longer stuff chopped so i can pick it up.

 

[KemppiFrog]

On the useful stock sizes: I find that 12/16x4/5, 20 & 25 x 5 are always handy. For RHS, 20,25,30 & 40 sq. are also always needed.
KF

 

[brewdexta]

Just stuck a quote request if for the following - if I don't rpely for a while it may be shock

75m of 50 x 50 x 3 M/S RHS
60m of 25 x 25 x 2 M/S RHS
7.5m of 20 x 20 x 2 M/S RHS
10mm M/S plate – 2500 x 1250 cut into 3 pieces 1250 x 833
3mm M/S sheet – 2000 x 1000 cut into 1 x 800 x 1000 and 1 x 1200 x 1000
15m of 25 x 25 x 3 M/S angle black
4m of 13 x 3 M/S flat black
4m of 20 x 3 M/S flat black
8m of 25 x 3 M/S flat black
4m of 40 x 3 M/S flat black
20m of 50 x 3 M/S flat black
4m of 16 x 5 M/S flat black

 

[inchpincher]

I hope you've got room to store all this! I keep a stash of sheet steel, every gauge up to 3mm plate, an over order of 50.50.6mm angle iron has proved useful as was a batch of 20mm ms round bar left over from a gate build. 25.25.2mm box for quick jigs, stands and braces, round bar/rod in 6,8,10 & 12mm (bright steel if you can find it).

I always find I'll modify my plans to the steel I've got lying around, as mentioned the costs are a bit high to have 20m of spare box section gathering dust. When I make an order (usually FH Brundles btw) I'll try to get as much as I can afford without being stupid, having a length of say 42mm chs is useful, having lengths of various diameter chs is a waste.

Can we run a sweep stake on how much your bill is gonna be...?

 

[armalites]

I generally find that buying in bulk feels like a kick in the teeth but when you are still using bits in 3 years time when the prices have gone up it brings a smile to your face.

Or when you you need a piece of something and you pause for a second then go and rummage in your stock pile and find the very thing for the job.

I have a friendly steel frame building company locally that have offcuts that are plenty long enough for my use but to them is scrap. I always pay what they ask and it's normally just beer money.

Just built a log splitter out of £20 RSJ and 6mm plate that they even cut for me.

They have a delivery from Dyfed Steel every day and are happy to order stuff for me so I don't have to pay delivery.

I've just read your order again and noticed it says 75m of 50x50, that's surely going to be £400+ on it own?

 

[brewdexta]

the 75m 50 x 50 x 3 RHS came in at 190 quid and the 2500 x 1250 x 10 plate cut into 3 pieces at £180 which I didn't think was bad.

I'm just confirming delivery etc.
Oh and the VAT

 

[armalites]

£19 a length of 50x50 seems pretty good? That a lot of useful metal for the money.

 

[brewdexta]

Can we run a sweep stake on how much your bill is gonna be...?

I think I've given the game away - it was £550 + VAT but free delivery - not bad, still feel a pain in my wallet but could be a lot worse. This will cover 4 small projects with stock left over.

I want to see the look on the drivers face when he gets to the first steep hairpin bend - I always tell the company not to sent a big wagon but the message never seems to get through to the guys doing the delivery - lets see if it does this time .

 

[armalites]

I think I've given the game away - it was £550 + VAT but free delivery - not bad, still feel a pain in my wallet but could be a lot worse. This will cover 4 small projects with stock left over.

I want to see the look on the drivers face when he gets to the first steep hairpin bend - I always tell the company not to sent a big wagon but the message never seems to get through to the guys doing the delivery - lets see if it does this time .

I have to say that sounds like a great result for amount of steel you had listed.

 

[inchpincher]

Seems bloody reasonable to me too, good work!

 

[brewdexta]

Thanks! It may be arriving tomorrow, just waiting for the plate to be cut before delivery.