Suppliers

General DIY supplies

• Screwfix Direct

Wide range of tools and materials at generally competitive prices. Internet/telephone ordering. Catalogue available. Delivered by carrier. Some trade counters: open long hours, open to public. [Screwfix Review]

• Toolstation

Wide range of tools and materials at generally lower prices than Screwfix (sometimes by only £0.01!). Internet/telephone ordering. Catalogue available. Delivered by carrier. Some trade counters: opening hours?, open to public.

• Westfalia

Curious mix of gimmicky gadgets (similar to 'Innovations' catalogue) and cheap tools & materials, some quite specialised (e.g. watch repair). Internet/telephone ordering. Catalogue available.

• LiDL
• ALDI

Twin (almost anagrammatic) German-owned supermarket chains featuring range of special offers changing approx weekly, many of DIY interest. Buy-in-store only. Individual branches do not always carry all specials listed on website (or on in-store flyers), and popular items often sell out quickly.

DIY stores

In general the DIY stores' online operations are pretty much separate from what may be available in their shops.

• B&Q

Range of items available online. Bigger stores have trade counters supplying 'trade' goods at competitive prices. Consumer items generally much more expensive than online suppliers.

• Homebase

Separate? range of items available online - actually delivered by Argos

• Focus

• Wickes

Some items available online. Most goods are own-brand (often obviously rebadged).

Wickes Review

Tools and machinery

• Axminster

• Ebay - the big unknown

• Ebid

• Machine Mart

• Poundland and similar high street cheap shops.

Often have tools at extremely low prices, many items of adequate quality to do the job, but some not.

• Power Rewind - industrial supplier, extensive range, with prices to match. Useful for specialist items you can't find anywhere else.

tool-up.co.uk

http://www.londontools.co.uk/

Local engineering / machine shops

http://www.tool-up.co.uk

http://www.tooled-up.co.uk

http://www.toolbank.co.uk/

http://www.silverlinetools.com/ - budget tools

http://www.thetoolbag.com.

Electrical

• TLC direct

good range at generally reasonable prices

Online and via several trade counters in South UK

• Connect Lighting

mostly lighting, also some fans & inverters; low prices

currently only online via eBay (from bricks & mortar operation in Reading: other sales via reps)

Electronic

• RS components

Wide range of electronic and mechanical components, tools, materials etc. Trade-oriented. Prices can be steep on some items.

• Farnell

Wide range of electronic and mechanical components, tools, materials etc.

Trade-oriented

• CPC

wide range of electronic components, consumer electronics, tools, materials etc.

part of Farnell groups but more consumer-oriented

• Maplin

Electronic components, gadgets, kits, consumer electronics

• Rapid Electronics

Wide range, good prices, reliable

• Component Shop (eBay store)

batteries, chargers and some other components

recommended by a couple of posters to uk.d-i-y

• 7dayshop

batteries, chargers and other photographic/electronic items

Lighting

• Light Bulbs Direct

• Efficient Light

• Ultima

• Megaman

• LED Online LEDs

• OptoSource LEDs

Plumbing & Heating

• BES

Extensive range of plumbing, gas (NG and LPG) refrigeration & other plumbing & heating materials & tools.

• Plumbworld
• Discount Heating

Generally boilers and radiators

• Discounted Heating

Plumbing & Heating

• Heating Controls Online (formerly RKM Heating Controls)

Small heating controls at generally competitive prices. (They tend only to supply items that can be sent by post in a Jiffybag.)

• CET Ltd

Reconditioned (often better than new) PCBs, fans, timers etc for central heating boilers at prices usually vastly below manufacturer's spares. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff. Fast courier delivery. Many satisfied customers on uk.d-i-y

• Pulsar Direct

Generally competitive prices but trade only.

• HRPC

Boiler and other heating spares, online and at trade counters. Not cheapest but can obtain most parts in a few days.

• [Controls http://www.mjtcontrols.co.uk MJT]

Boiler and other heating spares online. Supposed to be cheap if you can find the part you want on their hard-to-navigate web site.

• LPS Supplies

Boiler and other heating spares online. Fairly cheap.

• Gas and Electric meter boxes & fittings

Timber

http://www.championtimber.com/

http://www.britishhardwoods.co.uk

http://www.britishhardwoods.co.uk/worktops

http://www.tottontimber.co.uk/

Venables - oak

South London Hardwood

Building Materials

http://www.marshalls.co.uk very wide range of decorative concrete blocks

http://www.doorwarehouse.co.uk

http://www.todd-doors.co.uk/

http://www.hingesandbrackets.co.uk/ huge range of unusual stuff

Magnet: excellent prices on ply, plasterboard and some insulation

http://www.buildersbeams.co.uk/Products/Beams/FlitchPlates.htm

Fasteners

squarescrews.co.uk

collated nails: http://www.topgun.co.uk

Metals

http://www.shop4steel.com/ £150 delivery!

http://www.metal2models.btinternet.co.uk/cataloguemenu.htm

http://www.worldofbrass.co.uk

http://www.mallardmetals.co.uk/

metalsupermarkets.com

http://www.mailordermetals.co.uk

Smiths Metals

Travis Perkins - sash weights

Historic Goods

http://www.andythornton.com/index.asp Andy Thornton Ltd architectural salvage

http://www.salvo.co.uk

Holloways of Ludlow - period switches

http://www.oldfireplaces.co.uk

http://www.salvo.co.uk/

http://www.belowstairs.co.uk/

Antique Baths of Ivybridge

http://www.vintageplumbing.com/

http://www.thomas-crapper.com/

http://www.womersleys.co.uk/

Miscellaneous

http://www.valepack.co.uk/ cardboard

http://www.lockshop-warehouse.co.uk

http://www.secondsandco.co.uk/

McMaster-Carr Online Catalog

Local model shops

Ridgeons

http://www.rutlands.co.uk

http://www.comdir.co.uk

http://www.whdirect.co.uk/

http://www.fastfixdirect.co.uk/

http://www.unifix.co.uk

http://www.screwsline.co.uk/

http://www.conistonslate.co.uk

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Crazy-Parts

http://www.isaaclord.com/

http://www.thechemicalshop.com/index.asp - small and strange stock range, high prices

http://www.kno3.com similar to above

http://www.tiranti.co.uk/

http://www.askthetrades.co.uk

http://www.adriennechinn.co.uk/

http://www.woolworths.co.uk/

Rapid Racking, Dexion etc

See Also

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