paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Dec 11, 2006 14:12:33 GMT
As someone who only took up this hobby this year (and therefore had to buy tools from scratch) I thought it'd be sensible to 'go metric', especially as my first simple kit was all metric.
I'm not so sure now that it was a good idea as I can't find materials in metric sizes (except maybe steel). In practice it means almost every piece I make has to be reduced in size before I start work proper on it - not so bad if having to turn a bar down on the lathe but a real pain if I have to reduce a piece of flat bar!
Can anyone suggest a supplier of metric bar stock please?
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John Lee
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 375
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Post by John Lee on Dec 11, 2006 17:18:10 GMT
It's a problem Paul I agree.
Most model designs are in real money, but materials are in French.
You were very sensible to go metric, but you will just need to put up with the conversion problems I am afraid. However if you buy material in 1/8 from a model engineering supplier these days, measure it up... its 3mm unless its old old stock.
Get friendly with your local steel supply shop who sell to the trade is all I can suggest, and raid their scrap bins for the offcuts...
Regards,
John
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paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Dec 11, 2006 18:03:29 GMT
Cheers John, I just bought some 1/8 mild steel rod - it's 3mm+a gnats doo-dah and turning down any significant length of that is a real pain  Thanks for the advice though. |
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Post by havoc on Dec 11, 2006 18:41:12 GMT
Bought some at Mallard Metals www.mallardmetals.co.uk/ (just a happy customer). Problem here in Belgium is that you cannot find any dimension metal for ME purpose. We do not have a ME tradition. So you find small pieces (K&S style) or 1:1 style. So I have to order bronze etc in the UK. Costs me as much postage as material. Phoned for brass bar: only i 3m lenghts... Went to a plate shop: we only sell 1m x 2m. However I got the permission to raid the skip!!! enough for a few locs at least. |
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dscott
Elder Statesman
Posts: 2,438
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Post by dscott on Dec 11, 2006 19:17:38 GMT
Dear Metal users,
As most of you may know, one of my passions is drawing out an engine to build, so having been bought up in the metric age, do it all in 32nds etc 11/32" being my favorite rivet spacing
at the moment. 16mm for the axles for both engines, ah this works out at 15.88 for 5/8" dia
so it could be metric axleboxes and imperial wheels which could be turned to either metric
or imperial. Which goes faster?
I got landed with about a ton of metric metal at work from a workshop closing in Plymouth
can any of us find projects for it especially our art students.
Anyway welcome to our little world metric or otherwise.
Its metric snow that causes all the problems.
David.
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Post by chris vine on Dec 11, 2006 19:38:31 GMT
Hi Paul,
If you go searching for steel, make sure it is of the free cutting variety, it makes a huge difference in how well it machines.
It tends to be easy to buy round in free cutting but not always so easy for flat sections. For this I find that GLR distributors flat stock is good (only a happy customer) and free cutting.
Chris.
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paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Dec 11, 2006 21:15:52 GMT
Havoc - thanks for the link I've downloaded the catalogue for future use  David - if you need a home for any of that ton, you know where to dump it  .... Chris - I'll keep that in mind. All the steel I've bought so far has been fine but I've only bought from well-known model specialists. I forgot to mention above - if anyone else needs metric round brass rod you can get it from B&Q (up to about 8mm I think and not expensive). Not sure if they sell it at all branches but certainly the bigger ones do. They also sell threaded rod, aluminium and other stuff. |
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Post by spurley on Dec 11, 2006 21:42:23 GMT
Hi Paul Last time I was in the Newtonabbey (Belfast) B & Q I bought up a load of their brass angle and flat section. Don't have an immediate use for it but it was there and looked good value to me....................I just couldn't leave it. Could I? Probably find a home inside Tich's side tanks, I think. Doesn't matter whether it's metric or imperial in there! To add to the other guy's comments; I have bought packs of material from Mallard and it was good value without a Northern Irish premium on the postage Also I found GLR good value and very prompt delivery. Whilst working at Manchester Airport I lodged in Macclesfield and bought a lot of stuff from Norman (Macclesfield Model Engineers) while he was still with us; unbeatable value! Not sure whether things are still as good but the last delivery was the material for a Minnie boiler which was easily less than half Reeves' quote! Cheers Brian |
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paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Dec 11, 2006 21:57:08 GMT
Thanks Brian I've looked at Macc but couldn't see much in the way of metric. No matter, I'm resigned to hours of 'sizing' materials before use. Grrrrrrrrr! (Messed up my simple port block tonight - it's only a piece of flat brass with 4 holes but it's taken me ages to get it the right size. I totally bodged up the port positions. Never mind.) |
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Post by Steve M. W on Dec 11, 2006 23:36:26 GMT
Paul try:
Edwards Metals Ltd
37a, Birch Rd East, Aston, Birmingham, West Midlands B6 7DA
Tel: 0121 322 2366
for metric metals
Steve
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Post by spurley on Dec 12, 2006 4:57:46 GMT
Hi Paul Another thought came to mind; try Noggin End Metals www.nogginend.com . They received a lot of cash from me at Leamington, in exchange for some material that I've been searching for ;D If you could wait, how about going to Alexandra Palace exhibition? There should be loads of trade stands there only too pleased to relieve you of money in exchange for metal! Cheers Brian |
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paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Dec 12, 2006 21:44:09 GMT
Thanks gents  |
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Thanks for the advice though.
....
