Materials supplier in Sydney

[pinstripe]

Just wondering where people are buying their materials from in Sydney? Preferably to the west, but I'm not too picky.

I've only bought from Edcon Steel and iMetals so far. iMetals is easy to buy from and has better prices, but they basically only sell aluminium and stainless. Edcon has a better range, but not as easy to buy from, and prices are high by comparison.

[Swarfer]

There is of course Capral for full lengths of aluminium. I can't find anywhere for decent sized billet though. Buying some 100mm plate and cutting it down isn't feasible.

Cut to Size Plastics in Yennora is good, for well, plastics. They have boxes of various off-cuts in the reception, and more stuff out the back. And of course, they will "cut to size" if needed.

[Keith_W]

Pricing of steel depends on the quantities you buy. Edcon is cheaper if you buy full lengths, you can get it cut but they charge a cutting rate.
Have a look at http://www.southernsteelcc.com.au/ they carry a good range of steel. Also look at http://www.dalsteel.com.au/ for stainless and aluminium.
There is also other suppliers in Sydney metro area, just google steel suppliers Sydney to see.

[pinstripe]

Thanks Swarfer and Keith.

There is of course Capral for full lengths of aluminium.

Capral. How could I forget them? My dad worked there for many years. It was Crane Enfield Metals most of the time. For 20-odd years, I could have bought as much aluminium and copper as I wanted for scrap prices. Unfortunately my dad retired before I took up this hobby, so no special deals for me these days.

If I remember correctly, Capral and iMetals had exactly the same prices last time I ordered, but iMetals had a better delivery price. The paperwork was from Capral, so iMetals is selling Capral stock.

Pricing of steel depends on the quantities you buy. Edcon is cheaper if you buy full lengths, you can get it cut but they charge a cutting rate.

Yes, Edcon is cheaper for full lengths. My comment about the pricing was based on comparison with iMetals. I was looking at a full length of flat bar, 160x25X4000 6060 T5. iMetals are asking $286.98, whereas Edcon is $468.51. That's a huge difference for the same item. Both prices are excluding GST.

I'll check out the two you suggested.

[Norman Bain]

If you are looking to build up a range of materials I suggest keeping an eye out in the Grays section below. There are frequently listed the contents of stock racks and/or loose stock from closing down engineering firms. Sometimes the listing even comes with the racking.

http://www.graysonline.com/manufactu...and-toolmaking

Long lengths (however obtained) are a pain for most HSM types. My trailer has a 2.4 meter long deck and even when I hang most of the surplus over the front (taking care to put it in the center so turning does not "poke" the car) and a bit out the back the limit is about 4 meters.

Norman

[DeanDK]

Hi,

I'm in Sydney as well, when I need small quantities I usually go on Ebay and I a few found Williamstown Metal Merchants have an ebay store name is willymetals and there shipping rate is pretty decent from Victoria. Another store is offcuts.galore he is around Marrickville I believe. and Alpha Metal Group is located down Wollongong way.

Dean

[Swarfer]

Long lengths (however obtained) are a pain for most HSM types. My trailer has a 2.4 meter long deck and even when I hang most of the surplus over the front (taking care to put it in the center so turning does not "poke" the car) and a bit out the back the limit is about 4 meters.

Not sure if they still do, but Bakers Construction & Industrial in Blacktown would deliver anything from Sydney to the Blue Mountains to the north and south coasts for $10. Even a truckload of metals, or one filled with pallets of concrete requiring a Moffett forklift. Even if your delivery needs to be split and delivered in multiple loads, or came from different suppliers. They are part of the Blackwoods group, and Blackwoods do free delivery on orders over $100. Bakers has better service though.

While their list prices on many things are pretty high, as they specialise in rapid delivery of hard to source critical items for government and major infrastructure projects, their quotes for metals (and other general construction materials) were always reasonable.