Thread: How hard can it be...

try these guys ,
should be able to get it ,may have to go bright mild though or gauge plate .
Bohler-Uddeholm Australia - Western Australia

Cheers Tex

I tried calling them but they weren't answering after 4.30pm. I'll give it another go.

Perhaps try a welding service or someone who makes car or truck springs.

what about arch bars from a building supplier
les

Go down to Bunnies and see what they have in stock for garden edging. You might find something suitable. Failing that your local Simms Scrapmetal dealer (Used to be one in Freo when I lived in Perth 20 years ago but who knows now) might have something tucked away out the back that you could get a hold of.

try a laser cutting company they could cut it out of an off cut,

Texx- I rang up Bohler today. They only deal in metric unless it is expensive tool steel. They sell offcuts but said it wasn't even worth trying. They wouldn't have any imperial sized flat bar.

Like Gaza, they recommended a laser cutting service as a firm that might be able to slice a section off some plate. I have no idea what the cost of this would be but it might be frightening. Has anyone used a laser cutting service before? Is the cost prohibitive?
I'll look into it anyway.

Bunnings steel is metric and a gent from Atlas Speciality Steels told me that it would be almost impossible to get imperial in Australia as the machines pumping out flat bar are all doing it in metric apart from about 2 sizes (not mine). I would guess welding services and building suppliers would be stuck with metric too or is there something I'm overlooking?

Unless someone knows where I can find some hidden away somewhere, my options are limited. I might have to import it from Leigh in the U.S. I've spent about 6hrs travelling, chatting to metal merchants, scrap yards and small engineering firms and looking through bins. They are all telling me I won't find it or are directing me to places I've already tried.

Thanks for your suggestions guys. Laser cutting looks the go if not too expensive.

Sounds silly I s'pose, but have you tried Leigh Tech support. They may have the bit for you.

Rob

or go into our metal work section of our forum and see if any of the guys in there with a mill would mill an over size bit down to size for you

Laser cutting or better check out water/hydraulic cutting which is better for plate. Friend had some 75mm disks of 6mm plate cut with 7 & 9 6mm holes in each, cost her $10 each inclusive of materials & computer control setup. This was in Sydney. And the plate looked to be imperial.

As for not having 1/4" bar, I'd suggest taking a set of verniers along with you & checking what the real sizes are - the US still demands Imperial & you may find the bar stock is 'oversize' so 25x6 may really be 25.4x6.35. Bolts and the like are still made in both Imperial & Metric, but they are much more critical.

Rob- I haven't tried Leigh yet as up until recently I thought getting the flat bar in Australia would be easy and would avoid international shipping costs and problems. It is an option that is becoming more real.

Bsrlee- Everyone selling steel who has helped look in person has grabbed a pair of verniers and most have even shown the reading to me just for reinforcement that they don't stock it. Laser cutting though is looking better and better. Thanks for the example.

Texx- I haven't tried the metalwork section yet but if the laser falls through, I might post there as well.

I will contact some laser cutting and water/ hydraulic cutting firms tomorrow and let you know how I go with quotes.

Progress update

Seven emails giving details and requesting quotes for plate cutting - both laser and water - sent off on Thursday. By the end of today (Friday), one response received saying there is no 1/4 inch plate on their premises. Hopefully the other firms will get back to me on Monday.

I have also asked Carbatec to quote on the replacement bar from the U.S.

An update.

I received 3 emails back from plate cutters and again "not in Australia".

2 days ago I received a call from Carbatec Perth with the quote for the bar (ie a bit over a month waiting) It will cost $20.00 from the U.S. which is cheaper than I expected.

Apart from the waiting time with the quote, I should have gone straight to Carbatec Perth who order through Carbatec Brisbane who order from Leigh. I have now ordered it.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Hi bookend,
My suggestion was to find 1 of your Electricity Linesman, & ask for a Cross Arm Stay
( Strap ) as I think that would be very close to what you are looking for.
Just a late thought
Regards,
issatree.