Any Old Iron

UKworkshop.co.uk

Help Support UKworkshop.co.uk:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
My main use (not day in day out) would be for box making (mainly) and for clamping edge jointed boards together (from time to time). The slight hesitation is that 300mm would do most of the box making, and 600mm would do almost all of everything but is the extra length going to be a nuisance on most box making tasks. If bessey or anybody else reputable did a 450mm available in the UK, that would be ideal.

I also have some of the pipe clamps but no pipe yet. That could persuade me towards the 300mm k bodys
 
The KR's are a much different beast to the Duoklamps. I have some of them to and they cover most of my needs with the KR's brought out when I need either the extra lenght and/or some serious clamping. I have also some Bessey Kwicklamps (think that's what they're called, f-style with rapid action ratchet machanism). I find they are great with MFT style worktops, t-track and tracksaw rails. I'd hoped to pick up some more at last week's Midlands Woodworking Show but Bessey were one of four companies I really wanted to talk to and not one of them turned up!
 
Lonsdale73":1p2arobz said:
After some iron items which I keep getting told can be found 'any old place' but I'm not having much joy. Could be such items no longer exist in the UK.

First thing I'm trying to find is cast iron hand wheels, c125mm with a bore that work with 20mm threaded stud. I can find the latter easily enough but would be nice to find somewhere capable of supplying both. I'm sure you can all probably guess it's intended purpose.

The next item is something I've head referred to as half-inch pipe, sometimes black pipe which can be threaded one end or both. This is something I've seen repeatedly stated as 'available from any plumber's merchant' but still I can't find it on Plumbersworld/Plumbersmate etc. Are these possibly American terms an we know it by another name?

Lonsdale. I have some 20mm galvanised conduit. And I just sold an unused, Benchcrafted Moxon set-up, the other day. Including chamois leather facing . I don't suppose you will be pleased to hear that. Still the galvanised pipe is yours if you want it.

John
 
Lonsdale73":2krppw48 said:
After some iron items which I keep getting told can be found 'any old place' but I'm not having much joy. Could be such items no longer exist in the UK.

First thing I'm trying to find is cast iron hand wheels, c125mm with a bore that work with 20mm threaded stud. I can find the latter easily enough but would be nice to find somewhere capable of supplying both. I'm sure you can all probably guess it's intended purpose.

The next item is something I've head referred to as half-inch pipe, sometimes black pipe which can be threaded one end or both. This is something I've seen repeatedly stated as 'available from any plumber's merchant' but still I can't find it on Plumbersworld/Plumbersmate etc. Are these possibly American terms an we know it by another name?


Lonsdale. I have some 20mm galvanised conduit. And I just sold an unused, Benchcrafted Moxon set-up, the other day. Including chamois leather facing . I don't suppose you will be pleased to hear that. Still the galvanised pipe is yours if you want it.

https://www.vital-parts.co.uk/control-h ... -587-c.asp

For hand-wheels, levers etc.

I found the acquisition of 'Acme' Threaded rod to be the most elusive part. I was trying to make lifting and lowering gear for an artists' easel. I gave up in the end and devised another system; i.e I bought a modern easel!


John 8)
 
Benchwayze":3u7t5fh2 said:
Lonsdale73":3u7t5fh2 said:
After some iron items which I keep getting told can be found 'any old place' but I'm not having much joy. Could be such items no longer exist in the UK.

First thing I'm trying to find is cast iron hand wheels, c125mm with a bore that work with 20mm threaded stud. I can find the latter easily enough but would be nice to find somewhere capable of supplying both. I'm sure you can all probably guess it's intended purpose.

The next item is something I've head referred to as half-inch pipe, sometimes black pipe which can be threaded one end or both. This is something I've seen repeatedly stated as 'available from any plumber's merchant' but still I can't find it on Plumbersworld/Plumbersmate etc. Are these possibly American terms an we know it by another name?


Lonsdale. I have some 20mm galvanised conduit. And I just sold an unused, Benchcrafted Moxon set-up, the other day. Including chamois leather facing . I don't suppose you will be pleased to hear that. Still the galvanised pipe is yours if you want it.

https://www.vital-parts.co.uk/control-h ... -587-c.asp

For hand-wheels, levers etc.

I found the acquisition of 'Acme' Threaded rod to be the most elusive part. I was trying to make lifting and lowering gear for an artists' easel. I gave up in the end and devised another system; i.e I bought a modern easel!


John 8)

That's very kind of you thanks however I think you're a wee bit too far away. Think I might give Colinc's suggestion a go, see how I get on with that.
 
So much for "any plumber's merchants"! I've been to five - including BSS and Wolsley - plus two specialist electricians' suppliers on the recommendation of one of the 'everything for the plumber' places and most of them gave me blank looks. BSS at least knew what I was talking about but even with his system down he was able to advise they only do it in 21foot lenfths! I struggled to get 4ft sash clamps into my wee car so can't see me fitting 21feet length in! And that was threaded one end only.

A google search for 'pipefitter' threw up THIRTY-FOUR pages of vacancies for pipefitters but not a single pipefitter!
 
Lonsdale73":390joy8q said:
I struggled to get 4ft sash clamps into my wee car so can't see me fitting 21feet length in!
Could you get the lengths you want in your car?
If so, take a hacksaw with you when you buy a 21 ft length and cut it up in the car park.
If not, there is no point you going shopping for the pipe with that car anyway.
 
Short of a stretch limo - and even then it might be a push - I'm not sure any car would accept anything 21 foot long!

I keep getting told it is readily available and in virtually in length in six inch increments but I'd been searching for some time before posing the question on here. I appreciate all those who have taken the time to offer suggestions however fact remains 'available from ANY plumber's merchants' simply isn't true anymore. At least, not here in Lincoln.

2m lengths threaded both ends would be adequate. That I can transport and it gives me the option of cutting 50:50, 60:40 or whatever. Even if I could get it, not sure conduit would work as all the photos I've seen of it shows a female thread.
 
On this side of the pond the plumbing and heating contractors cut and thread the pipes for natural gas feed appliances. They have the big powered threading machines so they can cut and fit the installation as needed. The black iron pipe is only used for gas supply or compressed air. Are your plumbers separate from the gas fitters or all in one like here?

The big home building centers have pipe, usually threaded both ends, in various lengths. A more expensive way to go. If you have similar they may have some.

I would go back to the place with the 21’ pipe but buy a pipe cutter first instead of a hacksaw. Much easier and cuts a clean square end. We have stores selling everything under the sun made in Asia and they sell pipe threading kits and the pipe cutters. They will stand up for your needs. Here is an example of what to look for. https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/ ... -p8549024e

Pete
 
TFrench":3iet86pk said:
Just4Fun meant take a hacksaw and cut it to length in the car park of BSS... It's 1/2" pipe, its not going to take long to cut.
5 seconds googling for pipefitters:
https://www.centralplumbers.co.uk/contact/
Alternatively, ask the guys behind the counter in BSS for a contact?

Yes, I understood what Just4Fun was saying. It wouldn't be the first time I've taken a saw to cut down timber to a suitable length and the possibility of doing the same with the pipe had crossed my mind. However, not only does the local BSS lack a recognisable car park, with pipe threaded one end only the other fifteen feet or more would be useless unless I then shell out for suitable threading kit which I've been advised is expensive; that seems a bit OTT to make a few 'cheap' pipe clamps.

I did have the foresight to ask if BSS knows of any tradesmen who regularly buy such pipe who could maybe knock out a few lengths for me and I hope to speak to one of them come Monday.
 
Inspector":2yvipd5x said:
On this side of the pond the plumbing and heating contractors cut and thread the pipes for natural gas feed appliances. They have the big powered threading machines so they can cut and fit the installation as needed. The black iron pipe is only used for gas supply or compressed air. Are your plumbers separate from the gas fitters or all in one like here?

The big home building centers have pipe, usually threaded both ends, in various lengths. A more expensive way to go. If you have similar they may have some.

I would go back to the place with the 21’ pipe but buy a pipe cutter first instead of a hacksaw. Much easier and cuts a clean square end. We have stores selling everything under the sun made in Asia and they sell pipe threading kits and the pipe cutters. They will stand up for your needs. Here is an example of what to look for. https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/ ... -p8549024e

Pete

I spend far too much time watching youtube videos with some envy over the kit available to woodworkers on the far side of the Atlantic. Not just the big machinery, even some of the small accessories. As an example, I saw a tool cabinet build featuring Rockler tandem hinges which looked an absoluttely brilliant idea - if only we could get hold of the hinges over here! Your 'big box' stores sell much better timer than ours do; here we have a choice of pine or nothing.
 
The Borg stores only sell construction lumber and it is for the most part garbage.

If you don’t have the pipe threaders in any stores then try on line. If none on fleabay or amplezon then directly from China with AliExpress or Alibaba. Takes a while to arrive but is the same stuff the stores sell.

Pete
 
triker64":nuef76d1 said:
the metalstore have steel pipe but they are in cleckheaton Yorkshire.
Thanks for that. Not been up that way for some time.

I accosted a young plumber in a garage forecourt the other day - poor kid looked petrified. His tip though was to contact the plumbing faculty of the local college. He says they have the gear to do the threading and it sounds like they offer it as a service to plumbers who now use it so rarely they don't bother owning the kit for it.
 
Couple of ifs, but...

If you can decide what lengths you need and if getting it to Welbourn helps you out, the shop that I linked to on eBay isn't that far from work. I am coming down on Friday evening to my parents and could leave it there for you. I could do with some myself actually.

Size limit (length) is what will fit in my car.
 
marcros":1qj18531 said:
Couple of ifs, but...

If you can decide what lengths you need and if getting it to Welbourn helps you out, the shop that I linked to on eBay isn't that far from work. I am coming down on Friday evening to my parents and could leave it there for you. I could do with some myself actually.

Size limit (length) is what will fit in my car.

That would be most useful, thanks. Could you manage 2 x 950mm lengths as a test? I shall be passing through Welbourne on Saturday, once very early morning and again later in the day. As I recall, your parents are practically last house in the village.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top