Suppliers
General DIY supplies
- 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]
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Separate? range of items available online - actually delivered by Argos
- Some items available online. Most goods are own-brand (often obviously rebadged).
- Wickes Review
Tools and machinery
- Ebay - the big unknown
- 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
Local engineering / machine shops
http://www.silverlinetools.com/ - budget tools
Electrical
- good range at generally reasonable prices
- Online and via several trade counters in South UK
- mostly lighting, also some fans & inverters; low prices
- currently only online via eBay (from bricks & mortar operation in Reading: other sales via reps)
Electronic
- Wide range of electronic and mechanical components, tools, materials etc. Trade-oriented. Prices can be steep on some items.
- Wide range of electronic and mechanical components, tools, materials etc.
- Trade-oriented
- wide range of electronic components, consumer electronics, tools, materials etc.
- part of Farnell groups but more consumer-oriented
- Electronic components, gadgets, kits, consumer 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
- batteries, chargers and other photographic/electronic items
Lighting
- LED Online LEDs
- OptoSource LEDs
Plumbing & Heating
- Extensive range of plumbing, gas (NG and LPG) refrigeration & other plumbing & heating materials & tools.
- Plumbworld
- Discount Heating
- Generally boilers and radiators
- 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.)
- 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
- 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.
- [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.
- Boiler and other heating spares online. Fairly cheap.
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.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.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
Holloways of Ludlow - period switches
http://www.oldfireplaces.co.uk
Antique Baths of Ivybridge
http://www.vintageplumbing.com/
http://www.thomas-crapper.com/
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.fastfixdirect.co.uk/
http://www.conistonslate.co.uk
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Crazy-Parts
http://www.thechemicalshop.com/index.asp - small and strange stock range, high prices
http://www.kno3.com similar to above
http://www.adriennechinn.co.uk/
http://www.postpack.co.uk - Packaging materials,Boxes,Cartons,Removal boxes,Printer cardtridges,Stationery,Janitorial & Cleaning Supplies,Workwear & PPE - Free samples available.