Author Topic: Lengths of metals  (Read 6991 times)

Offline John Stevenson

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Lengths of metals
« on: January 04, 2016, 08:42:30 AM »
Later this year I will have to move my metal rack to another location because of on going building work.
Where it is moving to isn't as big as the space it takes now plus I seriously have to downsize somewhat, so I'm thinking of having a good cull and sell the surplus on.

So the question is bearing in mind that the max weight of a package with my couriers is 15Kg, what lengths would people prefer to but and store lengths of steel for home shop use ?

12", 18", 24", 30" or a 3' length ?

At a rough guess I reckon I will need to shift about 2 tonnes, surplus,  in mainly metric sizes from 5 or 6mm up to probably 50mm as anything over that get seriously heavy.
John Stevenson

Offline AdeV

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Re: Lengths of metals
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2016, 08:54:24 AM »
3ft or longer would be my personal preference (I usually buy by the metre), but I hardly store any material, just a few bits of aluminium.

The bigger stuff (2inch or bigger) could probably stand being shorter.
Cheers!
Ade.
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Location: Wallasey, Merseyside. A long way from anywhere.
Occasionally: Zhengzhou, China. An even longer way from anywhere...

Offline Arbalist

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Re: Lengths of metals
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2016, 09:29:32 AM »
It often depends on the cost but small stuff I buy 2 or 3 metre lengths, bigger stuff up to about 1" dia I buy by the metre except brass. Bigger than that I buy what I need as I have to cut it by hand.

Offline b4dyc

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Re: Lengths of metals
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2016, 09:49:31 AM »
I dont recall using over 18" in my lathe tbh. I tend to buy it in longer lengths to reduce the cost though. Metal stock is always useful  :ddb:
I didn`t do it...

Offline Bluechip

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Re: Lengths of metals
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2016, 11:09:47 AM »
K.R.Whiston. used to do 13" as a standard length IIRC. Bearing in mind your time overhead re: chopping.

Maybe consider 13",  26",  39" ( or more or less 1 metre ).

Some couriers may surcharge over 1 metre I think.

Dave
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Offline Jasonb

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Re: Lengths of metals
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2016, 12:25:18 PM »
I usually get 24" for steel and the smaller brass/bronze sizes, 12" on the larger non ferrous. 2ft just fits into the front of the 5C without having to remove the tailstock.

But if the price is right I'm sure most of us could cut up longer lengths to suit our storage needs