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Colin Jacobs 127/01/2011 21:45:29
69 forum posts
2 photos
I now have a nice big workshop which along with my woodworking machinery I want to add a Lathe, miller etc.
 
Before I do I want to make stuff using hand tools so I can practice my skills.
 
any tips on metals to buy, where from and is there anyone local to Beccles in Suffolk who can help me get started please?
Eric Cox28/01/2011 09:27:28
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557 forum posts
38 photos
Thinking back many many moons to my school days, a trowel was mild steel, a shoe horn brass, ash tray copper and decorative poker wrought iron. So you can see it all depends what you want to make.
As for suppliers a quick search on t'internet for model engineering supplies will give you stockists.
ady28/01/2011 10:28:24
612 forum posts
50 photos
A local scrapyard would be worth a visit.
 
The posh neat ones might not let you in, the health and safety communists tend to hold sway in the nice scrappies.
 
Find a scruffy looking scrapyard and they should be more sympathetic to your needs.
Pat Bravery28/01/2011 11:19:12
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96 forum posts
24 photos
I also live in East Anglia and I have a list of friendly metal fabricator work shops that will let you sniff round the scrap metal skip for a small contribution to the tea school, it is amazing what they throw away. For copper and other alloys I use Anglia Alloys at Gorleston, they have off cuts that they will sell, no freebies there though. I suggest that you approach the metal workshops and explain that you are a model engineer and you will be surprised at the help that you get. Near you is a motorbike breaker called 'Uncle Buck' I have found him very helpful. Good luck Pat
Martin W28/01/2011 11:26:44
940 forum posts
30 photos
Ady
 
The only problem in going into the local scrappy is that you have no idea of the type of metal you are getting. Not so bad for the softer materials but pick up a bit of hard steel and your experience may be less than enjoyable. My advice would go onto ebay or similar and find a supplier who supplies metals in relatively small quantities that have a known standard.
 
If starting out with steel then I would suggest using EN1A (BS 970 230M07)or similar and then graduating up the chain to the more esoteric steels. Not only will you learn how different tools affect the finish but also what sort of finish you can reasonably expect to get using different materials.
 
Another option may be to look in Yellow pages or similar and see if there is a small engineering works nearby and approach them for offcuts. You could always offer to pay scrap price for what you take or chuck a few quid in the tea/Christmas kitty helps to oil the wheels.
 
 
Just a thought.
 
Cheers
 
 
 
Martin
Martin W28/01/2011 12:20:45
940 forum posts
30 photos
Patrick
 
Looks like our posts crossed and I duplicated the idea of local engineers .
 
Cheers
 
Martin

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