UK Suppliers thread

[gavztheouch]

I thought I would start a thread for UK builders, I will try and update this post as I find more sensibly priced suppliers.

http://www.hepcomotion.com/ecommerce/acatalog/MCS_Profile.php 20*20 Aluminium extrusion @ £3.00 per metre. They also stock veerail.
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/ RS components is the cheapest I have found for Veerail in the uk so far.
http://www.linearonline.co.uk/acatalog/Rails.html Veerail and bearings, will also cut veerail to length

[mt_harrison]

Thought I'd share something interesting for all non-US builders. When Misumi will only ship to VAT registered businesses outside of the US and McMaster Carr won't ship, it's tricky to find reasonable components. For example, a 20mm threaded rod from Mcmaster costs £27/m and RS's equivalent is £186.97/m. An alternative is to use a shipping proxy such as http://www.priceusa.com.au/ You just simply give them your shopping list (from multiple stores, if required) and they will purchase your goods from within the US using their credit card and delivery address and then amalgamate your package into a single shipment to your house for which you must pay them 5% service fee. I can see this option being cheaper when purchasing from several suppliers.

Matt,

Your order “0308MHARRISON” has been cancelled. Due to the ever-increasing complexity of U.S. Export regulations, McMaster-Carr has decided to only accept orders from a few, long-established customers of ours overseas. We will not accept your order and regret any inconvenience this causes you.

-Aaron

[bdring]

The trick to the whole thing is shipping cost. Do you know what the shipping cost would be? Do you know the carrier they use?

It also seems like the biggest issue is the Misumi extrusion and the v rail from McMaster. The rest of the system can probably made "international procurement friendly". I am really thinking about going ahead with the "linear bearing idea". I know some people I could partner with in Europe who I could ship a couple hundred pounds to and they could redistribute it for me at lower shipping cost to builders.

I kept that bearing system in mind during this whole project and learned a few things that could make it a little better. It could save about $60-80 on the 2.x cost and simplify the build. I'll post my proposed changes soon.

[mt_harrison]

They use Fedex for shipping. You can calculate your own quote from their page which uses the Fedex API. For the v rail, belts, rods and some other bits and pieces I need from McMaster it would cost me $60 shipping to the UK.

As for extrusion http://www.kjnltd.co.uk/ are very reasonable and sell Bosch Rexroth.

The linear bearing is a very good idea. I look forward to seeing how it goes.

[mt_harrison]

For people planning to scale the 2.x laser there is a company in the UK who will watercut any shapes/sizes of coloured aluminium composite and offer to match any other quote plus a 10% discount for choosing them. I've asked for a quote and will post when I receive a reply.

[J45on]

For people planning to scale the 2.x laser there is a company in the UK who will watercut any shapes/sizes of coloured aluminium composite and offer to match any other quote plus a 10% discount for choosing them. I've asked for a quote and will post when I receive a reply.

Did you get a reply ?

[iGull]

Last updated 2011-11-06 16:04

I'm in the throes of building a 60W 1220x610x200mm system - here are some of the suppliers I've had success with for reference ...

Steppers and drivers - http://www.motioncontrolproducts.co.uk - very well priced and a good range
Pulleys and open belts - http://www.motionco.co.uk/ - I'm using HTD belts/pulleys, but they have XL/MXL also
Z drive roller chain/sprockets 6mm - http://www.technobots.co.uk/ - due to the size of my table, I can't get a closed loop belt, so having to use chain
Bosch Rexroth Extrusion - http://www.kjnltd.co.uk/ - they have their own 'clone' of bosch in some sizes - cut to length if needed - five star service
Air Pumps - Froden Aquatics - eBay UK
Shaft couplers - amart2010 - ebayUK
Vee Rails - http://uk.rs-online.com/web/ - not known to be cheap, but a reliable company
Panels - can get 'Skypanel Dibond' composite at local sign shop - £60 approx for 2400x1200 sheet - loads of colours - same as 'Aluply' - 2mm black polyethylene core with two 0.5mm aluminium skins - stove lacquered. Info link - http://www.signforce.co.uk/Signforce/Dibond.html
Shoulder screws 6mm x30mm (M5) (for pulley shafts) - benb4ll - eBay UK
Bearings - 6x19x6 rubber seals ABEC3 - u-supplies - eBay UK
Screws and Nuts etc - just received my first order from Westfield Fasteners - really good website - easy to order from - all neatly packed, NO ERRORS, all in stock, all stainless stuff - very good quality - prices not too bad. You can order one screw if you like - no minimum order - next day delivery - five stars what more can I say - no PayPal is the only minus I can see ...
http://www.westfieldfasteners.co.uk/
Maybe I'll get a free order for the plug ))
Found any length joined toothed belt at ... http://www.beltingonline.com - ordered 3.25 metre belt and T5 pulleys to suit - fingers crossed that it works better than chain - it does, see my buildlog.
Igus energy chain - ordered from http://uk.farnell.com/ - couldn't get KabelSchlepp - UK company didn't even bother to respond either to their webmail or my individual email ! Shame, as I think the KabelSchlepp may be a better product. Couldn't find a UK distributor either.

I'll update this with anything else.

Cheers

Neil

[Oli]

[deleted]

[Ischcuch]

It took a lot of scratching around to find a UK supplier for a low cost analogue ammeter!

This is an Interesting old style shop with a pandoras box of other electronic goodies as well. Order over the phone or email with friendly and quick service.

http://www.esr.co.uk/electronics/produc ... -panel.htm

[dave3d]

I am after the microscopic PTFE tubing that is used on thermistor wires. I cannot find out where to get it or even what size it is. I have just two short pieces left that get recycled. They came with my original Jhead - sourced from the US.
If anybody knows of a UK supplier I would be grateful.