Does anyone know a source for free machining steel in Australia?

[nickle]

I'm not having much luck with Onesteel and the ussual ME supply places or am I missing something obvious?

Online ordering of small amounts would be great. Even better would be a source locally.

More broadly where do others in Australia get small amounts of metal from?

Cheers,

Nick

[John Hill]

I am in a small town in NZ and I am a bit limited for choice too.  I can buy short lengths of key steel and silver steel but anything else I just go to a local engineering machine shop and see who I can talk to, sometimes I need money, sometimes not.

[tumutbound]

When I was living in Sydney, I got my steel and aluminium from Edcon in Revesby. They also have stores in Blacktown and Brookvale.
Cut to size while you wait (most of the time)

[Pete49]

ebay or https://www.quicksales.com.au and look for seller  offcuts galore has steel brass ali copper etc in small amounts.
If in Sincity oops sydney pick up may be the go
Pete

[nickle]

Ah, I forgot to add a vital detail... I'm in Mildura. I'll have a look at quicksales and do a run around the local fabrication shops. There's a few supporting the viticulture industry around here that might have some interesting bits sitting around.
Is the benefit of free machining steel worth the effort of sourcing over normal hot rolled mild steel (bear in mind I'm using a 7X14 and an X2 for my machining)?

[Davo J]

You can buy metal and aluminium from Bohler cut to length, but there is a minimum charge.
http://www.buau.com.au/

I used to have a Hercus but now have a 12x36, and find standard mild steel to be fine to machine. Some of the other leaded steel is nice to machine, but just be careful if it needs welding as some grades don't like it.

On your lathe I would just make sure you have nice sharp HSS tools and you will be fine. Mucking around on mild steel will be a lot cheaper as it can be picked up anywhere.

Dave

[John Hill]

I am with what Dave says, most of what I do in my playroom is 'mucking around with mild steel', or bits of cast iron I find at the dump or scrounge.

[nickle]

Thank you all for your responses. I've now got a couple more sources for materials and some good advice on using mild steel.

[bp]

I've used Bohlers in Adelaide.  They will cut to your requirements, I got some S1214 free machining square bar from them plus some other stuff.  They do have a minimum charge, but that wasn't a problem in my case.  Give them a ring they are pretty good to deal with.
Also try "Miniature Steam" in Victoria,

http://www.miniaturesteammodels.com/index.htm

they sell 12L14 steel in small quantities, you can order online they are also good to deal with.
cheers
bp