Thread: scrap metal

Hello all,

I'm just getting into some metalwork lately, and would like to learn by doing some small projetcs in various metals, such as brass, freemachining steel. Aluminium seems less of a proble.

I don't want to spend a fortune on buying more stock than I will ever use, so can anyone suggest somewhere in Melbourne that I can get a variety of pieces of scrap metal cheaply?

Scrap metal dealers don't seem to be able to help especially with brass.

Any help appreciated

Eric

Hope this isn't seen as a thread hi-jack, but likewise in Sydney, preferably Northern Beaches area.

Jon

Do you have a tip shop near by they have some different stuff from time to time

Salvage yards
scrap metal Merchants
Kerbside Rubbish collection
Some metal merchants have scraps or offcuts bins
ebay

I've tried a couple of local metal merchants and asked to rummage in their scrap bins... They still wanted an arm and a leg! I have dropped lucky a time or two on eBay.


Thx
Jon

Originally Posted by ericg

Hello all,

I'm just getting into some metalwork lately, and would like to learn by doing some small projetcs in various metals, such as brass, freemachining steel. Aluminium seems less of a proble.

I don't want to spend a fortune on buying more stock than I will ever use, so can anyone suggest somewhere in Melbourne that I can get a variety of pieces of scrap metal cheaply?

Scrap metal dealers don't seem to be able to help especially with brass.

Any help appreciated

Eric

hi mate what side part of melbourne?
I have purchased off cuts before they sell it by the kg
I dont think its as low as scrap prices thou.
aaron

Scrap yards can't/wont legally resell scrap without a secondhand dealers licence - which many may not have.

So salvage yards are your best bet for secondhand.

Useable brass and alloy will be hard to source.

Rob

Your best bet is too look up any local engineers or a small fabrication factory , in your area and ask for off cuts . But a big problem these days is: with the OH&S rules being so strict , the staff in these places are reluctant to let a stranger go thru scrap bins , mainly because of the risk of cutting a finger .

Another thing against us is, many of these smaller engineers and factories have closed down ,denying us hobby types a source of scrap . Just look at the many used lathes around ATM .... nobody is making much stuff anymore . Mike

Eric,

You could try Highett Metals on Boundary Road in Braeside.
They usually have a aluminium offcuts bin near the office which I have found handy for a couple of projects.

Andrew

Thanks for all the very prompt responses fellas, couple of good suggestions in there I hadn't thought of. I'll scour ebay for something.

To azzrock, I'm in the north east, Mill Park to be specific.

To morrisman, I know exactly what you mean, I dropped in to a couple of engineering workshops recently and they were almost out of business too! breaks my heart to see this happening.

off now to find a salvage yard.

Eric

Hi, for scrap brass, I keep and use old water taps. See your local plumber.
Kryn

williamstown metal sells off cuts of lots of different bar and tube.
the prices are ok they sell it by weight. Im shore you could find
some where closer to you.
I think brass is annoying to machine on a lathe. IF you place a strip
of shim stock on top of your tool holder it will deflect the brass chips from flying every where.

Originally Posted by azzrock

I think brass is annoying to machine on a lathe. IF you place a strip
of shim stock on top of your tool holder it will deflect the brass chips from flying every where.

Brass is BAD BAD news for those tiny splinters that easily get into you, and are very difficut to find/remove.

Machines beautifully, but I'm always really careful about handling it.

Rob

Eric,

I's not scrap, but MiniTech sells small bundles, usually 300 mm long, of a good selection of metals of a variety of shapes and sizes.

http://www.minitech.com.au/

Check "Materials" in their product range. It is an expensive way to buy metal, but if only small amounts are required the cost is reasonable, considering it is delivered to your door, and because of the small quantities there is very little waste.

Frank

Minitech are no longer at the physical shed site in Brendale ie north Brisbane.

His business to my the best of my knowledge is still carried out through email from his home.


Grahame