Anyone know where I can buy free cutting mild steel?

We have a metal supermarket franchise locally in Southampton which is useful for small quantities. Might be one near you? Mail order steel starts costing real postage even for modest quantities. Have you looked at EYP for local steel stockholders?

Bob

Hi Here's a tip - the next time you go to a 'metal supermarkets' franchise. Take a small magnet! Last time I went and had a jolly good rummage around their 'mild steel' offcuts, one of the things I came away with a bar of hex 25mm a/ f around a metre long. It turned out to be stainless steel (non- magnetic), I never realised until I had broken about three drills in the stuff. Anyway, the remainder has now gone into 'stock' - so I saved myself quite a few =A3 - assuming that I actually have a need for SS that size sometime in the future!

They are pretty competitive on price, especially if you can use offcuts rather than cut-to-length. If local, you obviously save a huge amount on postage costs from usual suppliers.

Mike

You can go to Macreadys or ParkerSteel for a wide selection of materials. Neither is that close to Harlow, but both will deliver. Links here:

Peter

In message , John Palombo writes

For small quantities my first choice is always 'Mallard Metals' followed by 'College Engineering'. Usual disclaimer - both can be found by Google search.

I've had good service from Mallard Metals and also from EKP supplies for small quantities. EKP is often cheaper but Mallard has a wider range. Worth shopping around - prices can vary hugely on small amounts of metal - as can P&P charges,

Usual disclaimer

Parkside steel in Brimsdown, Enfield. Bob

Correction: Parkside Steel, Enfield Lock, Enfield.

I think it's a bit of a myth this free cutting mild steel, I've always had to pay for it and it's never particularly mild either.

John at

Steve

Its not very good at cutting either...

Regards, Tony