Best place for offcuts

[Kit White 1Participant @kitwhite1]

As per title really, teaching myself to use a lathe and need a small number of approximately 6" max. lengths of diameters up to 3", just for practicing. What's the cheapest place to get this sort of thing? Anywhere sell offcuts just as general "offcuts"?

[Kit White 1Participant @kitwhite1]

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

Where are you?

My local steel stockholder has bins of ends

and very cheap

but not for posting

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

If you're just starting out you would be best to get hold of steel of known properties. EN1a machines very well indeed, some of the stuff I've picked up over the years has been awful. Doesn't mean you can't use offcuts, just try to find out what it is.

[Kit White 1Participant @kitwhite1]

May try the local stockholders then, if I can verify the properties of it first.

Also, what is the approximate maximum size a 6" 4 jaw independent chuck will safely hold?

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Stockholders should know exactly what every offcut is.

Neil

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

Find a freindly scrapyard! They often have waste coming in from engineering company's. You can pick out some of the marked or stamped pieces if you wanna know what grades you're turning. They usually charge little over scrap price.

Edited By Hollowpoint on 08/03/2016 21:04:09

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Posted by Ian Parkin on 08/03/2016 16:54:15:

Where are you?

My local steel stockholder has bins of ends

and very cheap

but not for posting

Ian, am I correct in thinking you're in the Sheffield area?

if so, would you mind PMing me which stockholder you use.

Thanks

Bill

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

Bill

I use wd steels for mild steels in bar and flat

I use phoenix steels for silversteel and GFS

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Posted by Ian Parkin on 09/03/2016 09:13:04:

Bill

I use wd steels for mild steels in bar and flat

I use phoenix steels for silversteel and GFS

Thanks Ian, I'll add to your list with "AMB Stainless" for alloy bar, and surprisingly stainless too. (not scrap box stuff, but happy to cut short lengths to order for personal visitors.)

[Author]

Posts