Model Engineering materials (not aircraft or boats)

[Crossy]

I think I'm regressing to my youth as I age :)

 

I want to re-discover my schoolboy mechanical engineering skills, electrics is work, software is boring, electronics is also work. So it's time to dust off those long lost skills of fitting, turning, drilling etc etc.

 

Enter problem number one, sourcing the typical model engineering materials.

 

Steel (mild and stainless) and aluminium are no problem of course, except that I have to buy 6m lengths (that length of 8mm rod is going to last me 100 years).

 

I need brass and bronze in rod, bar (square and hex) and sheet (flat bar), possibly copper sheet for boilers.

 

Anywhere in greater Bangkok that keeps this type of stuff in sensible lengths (300mm or so), I expect it will be a hobby / model shop.

 

If I have to I can source on Ebay, but this stuff is heavy and the shipping costs are punitive

 

Do Thai's even do this sort of thing? I showed a video of the simple steam engine I intend building as a starter project to the chaps in the office (hoping for a clue where I could get materials), the overwhelming response was "why?"

 

[johng]

Why not just  go full size...

 

recently sold for £240,000    that should impress the workmates.

only took him 20 years  to restore. 

[Crossy]

I really would love to, Wifey puts up with my 'odd' hobbies but I think a beast like that would be stretching things somewhat.

 

Fred Dibnah was my hero for many years, he was also from my home town of Bolton.

[johng]

You could tell your wife truthfully that its a backup power source for pumping water and generating electricity...during the next flood.

[Crossy]

This site (which I found whilst researching another thread) looks like it contains lots of useful information.

 

http://modelengineeringinthailand.com/

 

 

[maxtwo]

Funny you started this thread as it is just what I have been thinking about.At home I have full size traction engine.And as I am intending to spend more time in Thailand I was thinking of bringing a 3 or4 ins model.But my problem is how much duty would I have to pay?As for the stuff you want you could get a model shop in U.K. To put a package together and ship it for you.

[Crossy]

Max, why not ship the real beast over (tongue firmly in cheek here), I'd love to see the reaction of the BiB trying to work out what they could fine you for (I doubt "speeding" would be on the list, but one never knows) and I see no signs to stop you taking it on the expressway. Or better, drive it here and make a documentary, it would only take a couple of hundred years. :)

 

Yeah, it's not a problem finding materials on the net, but shipping is punitive

 

I live in hope of finding somewhere local with small sizes at sensible prices :)

[AleG]

On 01/11/2016 at 7:53 AM, Crossy said:

Max, why not ship the real beast over (tongue firmly in cheek here), I'd love to see the reaction of the BiB trying to work out what they could fine you for (I doubt "speeding" would be on the list, but one never knows) and I see no signs to stop you taking it on the expressway. Or better, drive it here and make a documentary, it would only take a couple of hundred years. :)

 

Yeah, it's not a problem finding materials on the net, but shipping is punitive

 

I live in hope of finding somewhere local with small sizes at sensible prices :)

You can find what you are looking for very near Chinatown, look around Tri Mit  and Khao Lam road, just West of Hua Lamphong station; there are many metal stock shops and they'll cut to your dimensions or you can rummage through the offcuts to find what you need at a discount; prices are reasonable anyway and there's good variety of metals and alloys in different shapes. There are also some other shops that sell stuff you may be looking for, like pneumatic/hydraulic fittings and parts and metal working tools.

[Basil B]

On 25/10/2016 at 6:54 AM, johng said:

You could tell your wife truthfully that its a backup power source for pumping water and generating electricity...during the next flood.
 

 

Do not forget it does not use petrol or diesel, so could be big saving using as a replacement for family car...

Edited November 5, 2016 by Basil B

[Mrjlh]

On 11/2/2016 at 10:24 PM, AleG said:

You can find what you are looking for very near Chinatown, look around Tri Mit  and Khao Lam road, just West of Hua Lamphong station; there are many metal stock shops and they'll cut to your dimensions or you can rummage through the offcuts to find what you need at a discount; prices are reasonable anyway and there's good variety of metals and alloys in different shapes. There are also some other shops that sell stuff you may be looking for, like pneumatic/hydraulic fittings and parts and metal working tools.

I suggest the same area. Two or three blocks worth of both machine shops and suppliers. It's a hit miss situation. hope yo find what you need..