Where do you get metal from.

Hi all,

I'm looking to start some work soon and need get hold of metal tubing.

In more detail I'm after 2 X 6 foot lengths of something strong. My ideal would be square section aluminum of the type used to make some mountain bikes. Steel would be oi.k. if it was a good enough grade.

Round section would do, even scaffold poles would work in a pinch.

Problem - I've searched everywhere and can not find any metal supplies in the uk for this sort of stuff.

Used - reclaimed - new - offcut - anything will do.

Thanks in advance

Everso

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Even a low grade of steel is likely to be as strong as equivalent sized aluminum...it's just going to be a lot heavier and more durable.

I don't know about the UK, but here I just looked in the yellow pages under "steel" and found several suppliers within 50 miles that sold steel as well as other metals in various forms. Do you have something equivalent? A phone book for finding businesses?

You could also ask at a local welding shop, fabricator, or manufacturing plant and see where they get their metal...they may even be willing to sell you scraps or whole lengths...they probably buy wholesale, and you'd be paying retail... :^)

Junkyards and scrap processors are also a possiblity, though you'll have to know your stuff to tell what you'd be buying, and it's iffy what the availability will be.

-- Mike

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Reply to
Mike Bartman

I'm working on building a recumbent trike.

The main "feature" is 2 lengths of metal bar about 5 foot long worth a back wheel at one end and the pedals at the other.

The sear goes on top and the front wheels either side at about the place where the knees are.

Good for about 40 miles per hour on the flat, more - much more - down hill.

Obviously I want something that isn't going to break and leave several layers of my skin on the road.

Everso

"bigegg" wrote:

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mmm - I had a look there. They don't give many details about the actual steel. I'm assuming it's not 100% steel but I could be wrong.

So, while I'm here how much weight do you think the COLD FORMED HOLLOW SECTION 40 X 40 X 2.5 could support. I'm talking about 5 foot length supported at either end?

Also - it said 7500mm length - that's like 24 foot That can't be tight, can it?

Thanks

Everso

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find a place that makes roll cages(i.e for race cars), they will have all the 2 inch tube you want

Reply to
stu

Dear Group-

Try Online metals for metals.

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They have aluminum, copper, brass, bronze, steel, plastic, titanium, stainless etc. as rods, tubing, plate and shapes.

They sell in small quantities and ship it to you.

Good outfit. They are located in Seattle, Washington and have most everything in stock...

-glenn

Reply to
Glenn Geignetter

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