Practice Scrap - where do you get yours?

[andyxxxx]

I need some practice neatening up my welds and I'm struggling to get hold of any scrap to practice on.

Any tried and tested suggestions?

Obviously I want to pay as little as possible as it will be binned afterwards.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I just go to the local scrapyard, always tend to find steel of all sizes, sometimes need a flap wheel to clean it up a bit but had some great buys with sheet and especially box section.

 

[keith19]

You can try industrial estates if there are any nearby. I've had decent offcuts cheap from little workshop units, and short lengths of (new) exhaust pipe free out of skips. Always best to ask, and be willing to give a drink if they expect it.
Used to get some from little old engineering workshops down the back streets too, but most of these around here seem to have closed down now.

 

[Hitch]

Find a small local sheet metal/fabrication firm, pop in and ask if you can raid the bin, offer a drink or two, or at least a few quid for the coffee machine.

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

Hah,you must live in an upmarket area? heck I could walk a few hundred yards and find some scrap metal to practice with ie Washing machine,Microwave,cooker skins and then there's the skips to rummage in ie steel shelving stands or post ect,ect.

Its there if yer take a car cruise around.

And what about computer cases?

Bicycle frames

 

[brightspark]

Hah,you must live in an upmarket area? heck I could walk a few hundred yards and find some scrap metal to practice with ie Washing machine,Microwave,cooker skins and then there's the skips to rummage in ie steel shelving stands or post ect,ect.

Its there if yer take a car cruise around.

And what about computer cases?

its bricks that are hard to find there propping everyones cars up

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

its bricks that are hard to find there propping everyones cars up

Urban legend is that,Brighty......its a SORN thing.

 

[brightspark]

Urban legend is that,Brighty......its a SORN thing.

 

[RedOrZed]

Another vote for metal scrap yards, but I always check in with the main desk before going in (usually next to the weighbridge) - they may have specific reasons for not wanting you to go in at certain times, but will be happy to let you poke around at other times. Saturday mornings are good

You can find lots of interesting stuff, but be careful what you stand on and what's around you. If there's a crane anywhere near where you are digging, go and see the driver first thing so that he is aware of your presence and doesn't sling half a lorry on your head also he might be able to pull out the bit you want that's buried

 

[gj1994]

I used to get mine from a Land rover Roll cage fabricator down the road, practised welding on it and then took it back for him to check it over and then weigh it in when the scrap man came

 

[tux]

I usually keep an eye on Freecycle for old washing machines and dishwashers. use the sides for sheet metal and take the rest to the tip. Just remember to remove the galv coating before welding it.