Suppliers
General DIY supplies
- Screwfix Direct http://www.screwfix.com
- 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.
- Toolstation http://www.toolstation.com
- 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 http://www.westfalia.net/
- 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 http://www.lidl.co.uk/
- ALDI http://www.adli.co.uk/
- 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.
- 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 http://www.homebase.co.uk/
- Separate? range of items available online - actually delivered by Argos
- Wickes http://www.wickes.co.uk/
- Some items available online. Most goods are own-brand (often obviously rebadged).
- Wickes Review
Tools and machinery
- Axminster
- Ebay - the big unknown
- 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.
Plumbing & Heating
- Extensive range of plumbing, gas (NG and LPG) refrigeration & other plumbing & heating materials & tools.
- Plumbworld
- Discount Heating http://www.discountheating.com/
- Generally boilers and radiators
- Discounted Heating http://www.discountedheating.co.uk/
- Plumbing & Heating
- Heating Controls Online http://www.heatingcontrolsonline.co.uk/ (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 http://www.cetltd.demon.co.uk/
- 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 http://www.pulsardirect.co.uk/
- Generally competitive prices but trade only.
- Boiler and other heating spares, online and at trade counters. Not cheapest but can obtain most parts in a few days.
- MJT Controls http://www.mjtcontrols.co.uk
- 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 http://lpssupplies.com
- Boiler and other heating spares online. Fairly cheap.
- Gas and Electric meter boxes & fittings http://www.meterboxes.co.uk
Electronic
- RS components http://rswww.com/
- Wide range of electronic and mechanical components, tools, materials etc. Trade-oriented. Prices can be steep on some items.
- Farnell http://www.farnell.com
- Wide range of electronic and mechanical components, tools, materials etc.
- Trade-oriented
- CPC http://www.cpc.co.uk wide range of electronic components, consumer electronics, tools, materials etc.
- Part of Farnell groups but more consumer-oriented
- Maplin http://www.maplin.co.uk
- Electronic components, gadgets, kits, consumer electronics
- Wide range, good prices, reliable
Lighting
- Light Bulbs Direct
http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/
- Efficient Light
http://www.efficientlight.co.uk/
- Ultima
- Megaman
- LED Online [LEDs]
- OptoSource [LEDs]
Timber
http://www.championtimber.com/
http://www.britishhardwoods.co.uk
http://www.britishhardwoods.co.uk/worktops
http://www.tottontimber.co.uk/
Building Materials
http://www.marshalls.co.uk very wide range of decorative concrete blocks
http://www.doorwarehouse.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
Miscellaneous
http://www.andythornton.com/index.asp Andy Thornton Ltd architectural salvage
http://www.valepack.co.uk/ cardboard
tool-up.co.uk
http://www.lockshop-warehouse.co.uk
http://www.mallardmetals.co.uk/
http://www.secondsandco.co.uk/
McMaster-Carr Online Catalog
metalsupermarkets.com
http://www.mailordermetals.co.uk
Smiths Metals
Local model shops
Local engineering / machine shops
Venables - oak
Ridgeons
Holloways of Ludlow - period switches
http://www.oldfireplaces.co.uk
Travis Perkins - sash weights
http://www.fastfixdirect.co.uk/
http://www.silverlinetools.com/ - budget tools
http://www.conistonslate.co.uk
http://www.shop4steel.com/ £150 delivery!
http://www.metal2models.btinternet.co.uk/cataloguemenu.htm
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Crazy-Parts
South London Hardwood
"Metal Supermarkets"
http://www.thechemicalshop.com/index.asp - small and strange stock range, high prices
http://www.kno3.com similar to above
Antique Baths of Ivybridge
http://www.vintageplumbing.com/
http://www.thomas-crapper.com/