Where to buy steel?

[jimcroisdale]

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy some steel to start my first buggy project but I don't know where to get it from. There's pretty much everything I need at B&Q, but they can't be the cheapest, can they? (And I hate putting money in their pockets!) Also, all their (what looks like) steel is labelled as 'iron' - is that right? Is it iron and not steel at all?

Anyway, I will just need 25mm box section (1.6mm wall) for the main frame, some thing a little smaller for subframe/suspension, some angle for mounts and brackets and perhaps some tube for an attractive roll bar. What sort of stuff should I be buying, and from where?

Cheers as ever,

Jimbob (Clarke 151en from weldequip - get innnnnnn!)

 

[jimcroisdale]

Incidentally, If anyone's got a car racing seat for sale then I would like to hear from you. K'know the sort -Sparco or Corbeau or summat. They're about for £100 to £130 new, so someone must have one kicking about that they'll let go for £40?

Cheers,

Jimbob

 

[Drains]

Iron. Idiots. Don't give them your money on principle!

Where do you live? I'm sure there will be someone here who knows a local supplier to wherever you are. Or just get out the yellow pages and phone all the local stockholders and see which ones will accept your cash custom!

Duh- not paying attention - West Yorkshire. Where's that then? Grassington or one of they James Heriot kind of places? There's steel places everywhere arn't there?

 

[jimcroisdale]

Problem is, they're walking distance from work, which is important 'cos I can't drive! (Failed test 5 times. Go on, I've heard it all before....)

They charge about £9 for about 5 foot of 25mm box section/square tube/whatever you call it. Is this expensive?

 

[Drains]

Er, that sounds a little, ahem, dear. I'd expect to pay not too much more than that for 6 metres! My supplier delivers too, for a reasonable fee (£15 odd), regardless of the quantity. Get on the phone. You might have to have someone waitin in at the hoose though.

(It's 'square hollow section', probably)

I can imagine you in your driving test doing the Arnie impersonation... "i'm driving, get out, or I'll shoot you..."

Jim. Why you looking for a car racing seat? I think there may be some sort of attitude problem to be resolved here...

 

[Baz-Cem]

My local supplier in S Wales is £1.53 metre for 25mm box 2mm wall, I would find a better source for the steel if I were you

 

[Welderpaul]

Jim,

Don't buy steel from B&Q! The composition is a bit odd, I have very reluctantly bought the odd piece but it cuts and welds funny - not like normal mild steel.
I don't know exactly where you are in West Yorkshire, but I use John Stansfeld in Meanwood, Leeds. They are A1, and happily accept trade as well as public. They have very reasonable rates and are happy to help with any queries you may have. If you order steel to the sum of £50, they will deliver free. (With steel prices these days, it doesnt take much to order 50 quids worth of steel) I can send you the number if you are interested.
Incidently, whereabouts in WY are you?

Oh, and you don't need to be in - give yer card details over the phone and they will leave it somewhere round the back of yer house or whatever you agree with them. It's like the magic steel faries have visited (Don't call them that tho!)

 

[jimcroisdale]

That sounds spot on! Im in Mirfield - near Huddersfield/Dewsbury, about 12 miles from leeds. I would love their number, thanks. Have they got a website too perchance?

 

[jimcroisdale]

Oh, and the racing seat is for my buggy of course. Need plenty of lumbar support at my age.....

 

[Welderpaul]

John Stansfeld's number is 0113 2628155 - Their website is currently under construction, but i'm sure they will send you a catalogue which lists out every last mortal thing you can possibly buy from a steel stockholder. They will cut it up for you - but it costs...
They don't sell car seats tho

 

[jimcroisdale]

That's brilliant - thanks v. much. Finally, perhaps my steel butchery can begin....

 

[Leanne1979]

Erm
Same question but for North Lincolnshire (Scunthorpe). We have loads a very large steel stockists, but first of im to chicken to go ask (these are very large places and i think they only deal with trade) and secondly of i do go in they either dont take me seriously or spend 80% of the conversation looking at my chest. what i really need is a local little friendly steel stockist. Any ideas, im sure there must be, after all Scunthorpe is home to Corus (or whatever its all called nowerdays)
Leanne xx

 

[malcolm]

Some of the large places can be quite expensive - they don't really want to sell a single sheet. I was quoted £65 for a sheet of steel from one when the going price was about £15.

Our small steel stockholder closed down a couple of years ago, and I've started buying from a fabrication shop that lists themselves as a steel stockholder in the yellow pages. Reasonable price, and the best bit is the skip outside which has surprisingly big off-cuts that can be had for beer money. Never noticed them looking at my chest, though I've a feeling they had an eye on my wallet when I asked for I beam cut to length.

 

[Haze]

and secondly of i do go in they either dont take me seriously or spend 80% of the conversation looking at my chest

didn't know you were a pirate

 

[Leanne1979]

didn't know you were a pirate

Oh yes my chest is full of gold

Seriously though i have only found one place where i can get some sheet off cuts and thats a car body shop and i have to flirt and smile nicely so they let me raid there offcut skip.
No idea where to get all other types of metal i need other than rubbish B&Q
Leanne xxx

 

[Haze]

erm yes im sure it is, *thinks about starting a show urself picture thread to scare off leanne*

rs components if im in a fix, because they rape me cost wise, i get stainless stuff from ebay mostly...

quite a lot of sources for me, but none ive found locally yet...

 

[jimcroisdale]

Being new to forums I don't know if that's something that ever happens - the 'show a pic of yourself' thing. Could be quite interesting to put a face to the names?

 

[Drains]

I'm not sure it's a good idea. Maybe we should stick to Leanne, Arnie and my dog. It'll keep the world a prettier place....
You start a thread if you want. See how you do.

What I would like to do is have bets on the number of replies a thread gets. Ratty got tons, and the forum's getting some good chatters on now. Cheaper than the pub!
Any bookies on here?

Leanne. Get on the phone and talk to the stockholders if your after full lengths of steel. See if they'll do cash accounts. Otherwise it's the local fab shops and cleavage. (wear overalls, that'll really get 'em going. And have a dirty face. Beats a summer dress every time!)

 

[jimcroisdale]

Didn't realise Ratty had posted pics? Anyway, I've just got a batch of photos through of me playing with my band, but no-one wants to look at them because I'm ugly.

Sniff.

 

[Drains]

No, I meant Rattys thread - newbie, mig, sculptor wotsit - got loads of replies. She does have a pic of a rat rolling a jar of testicles though.... don't tell her I told you.