New Zealand part sourcing

Mostly Printed CNC - MPCNC Advice
1

Hi guys,

 

I am currently looking into building a MPCNC however I am located in New Zealand and part sourcing over here for the EMT Conduit seems to be fairly hard, the cheapest I have been able to find Conduit for was going to be about $57 per 4 meters. I was wondering if it might be a better option to go for steel/galvanized steel pipe or aluminium pipe instead. I am able to get the steel pipe for $6.90 per meter with a 1.6mm wall thickness, or galvanized steel pipe at about $12.12 per meter. I am able to get 3mm wall aluminium for $72.11 per 5 meters plus the cost to get it galvanized. I am still waiting on some suppliers to get back to me on the price of stainless steel, but it does seem to be quite a bit more than the previous options. I am hesitant to get the aluminium due to ware from the bearings, what would be your recommendations on this? All prices are in NZD.

With this in mind I was wondering what the recommended material would be for me to get? Or are there any other kiwi’s who have been able to source this stuff at a decent price?

 

Kind regards :slight_smile:

2

25.4mm OD steel tubes would be the way to go. No need for stainless. There are a few posts about sourcing parts in NZ. It looks like the router will be your next time to work around.

https://www.v1engineering.com/forum/topic/australian-tube-options/page/3/#post-16018

https://www.v1engineering.com/forum/search/Zealand/

3

Don’t use aluminum. The steel bearings will wear flats on it causing slop.

4

Thanks for the replies, do you think it would be worth getting the galvanized steel pipes or just the regular steel pipes? When I called them I believe they said the normal steel has a black finish, that might’ve been one of the other places though I’m not too sure.

 

 

Thanks :slight_smile:

5

Jeffeb3, you said no need for stainless, however I think I will be able to source stainless cheaper than normal steel or galvanized steel, in this case would it be worth getting the stainless over the other options?

Current prices I have been able to find are:
Steel - $6.90 per meter - 1.6mm wall thickness
Galvanized steel - $12.12 per meter (could possibly get it at $6.70 per meter but unsure at this stage) - 1.6mm wall thickness
Stainless steel 304 - $5.83 per meter (can get in either 400 or 600 grit finishes, I think 600 is super shiny and 400 is not?) - 1.5mm wall thickness
Stainless steel 316 - $7.5 per meter (this one only comes in 600 grit finish) - 1.5mm wall thickness

 

With these prices, do you think it would be worth sticking to the galvanized steel or swapping instead for stainless?

Thanks for the help :slight_smile:

 

6

get the stainless

7

Ryan, do you think the 316 stainless is worth it over the 304? Also what surface finish would be better?

Thanks :slight_smile:

8

Get the cheaper one, your over thinking it too much. Most of us use dipped galvanized, any stainless is far better than that.

9

Sweet will do, thanks so much for the help :slight_smile:

Now time to start sourcing the rest of the parts and start the massive amount of 3d printing :slight_smile:

PS. If any other kiwi’s are trying to source the tube, I found the stainless at Vulcan Steel for $33.36 per 6m ($5.56 per meter), it also looks like they have Aussie branches, could possibly be similar prices over there?