Bloopers 2024

Our Range of Stainless Steel Mesh

Mesh is commonly used for filtration, machine guarding, agriculture, aquaculture, architecture and many more applications. We stock two different types of mesh, welded and woven.

Welded wire mesh is a series of round bars that are TIG or spot welded together at each intersection. The wire used in this process is typically thicker than found in woven wire mesh, enhancing the integrity of the welds. For applications requiring increased rigidity or hole sizes greater than ½”, we recommend our welded wire mesh. We offer a diverse range of welded wire mesh, featuring hole sizes ranging from 11.5mm to 97mm, with wire diameters from 1.2mm to 6mm. Our welded wire mesh is stocked in stainless steel grade 304; most sizes are available in flat sheets measuring 1200 by 2400mm, while the two smallest sizes are offered on 30-metre rolls, with the option of cutting to the metre.

Woven wire mesh on the other hand is a network of wires that undergo a weaving process which interlocks each wire over and under the others. Because woven wire mesh does not require any welding, the wire can be much thinner and can achieve a much smaller open area than any welded wire mesh. If your application requires a small hole size or light gauge wire diameter, we recommend the use of woven wire mesh. Our range of woven wire mesh includes sizes from 23mm holes right down to ¼ of a millimetre holes and with wire from 2mm down to 0.178mm. Our range of woven wire mesh is stocked in stainless steel grade 316, it comes on 30 mtr rolls and we cut to the metre. 

If you’re uncertain about the size you need, we offer small sample pieces for every mesh size we carry.

How To Make A Return

Hi I’m Ted and today i’m going to go through how to return your goods to The Metal Company. 

First things first a Returns authority form must be issued before the goods are sent back. No returns form, no returning. Please note your goods MUST be in new and in resellable condition, the same way we sent them to you!

This can be obtained by contacting the crew via email [email protected] or heading to our website scroll down to ‘make a return’.
This will include your reason for return, TMC packing slip (PS), sales order OR invoice order, the product code/description and quantity. 

Once the crew at The Metal Company has received your return request form, they will send you a return authority back via email if all approved. This Returns Authority will include your returns authority number. The Accounts team will then issue the credit to your Trade Account. 

So there ya go, we make Returns Easy, but we aren’t finished here let’s get into the nitty gritty 

Most items can be returned within 7 days of dispatch IF the item is unused with the original packaging to gain a full credit.

If goods are returned between 7 – 28 days a 20% handling charge will incur 

If goods are returned between 28-59 days and a 50% charge will incur

If goods are returned 60 days plus then it is no longer returnable

And all procured, cut or fabricated goods are non-returnable.

If you have any questions regarding returns then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with The Metal Company, because we make buying stainless steel easy.

How To Use Our Catalogue

Related Products

FlexiFlow: Stainless Steel Braided Flexible Hose

Related Products

RapidPress Deburrer Tool

This deburrer is designed for use on any RapidPress tube from 15-54mm but can also be used on other stainless tubes or pipes.

This end of the tool will deburr the external of the tube and this end will deburr the internal.

Place the tool over the tube and apply slight pressure while twisting both back and forth. You just need 5-6 rotations, check the tube and repeat the process if required.

Related Products

RapidPress Rotary Tube Cutter

The RapidPress rotary tube cutter is our preferred method of cutting tubes from 15mm – 76mm as it leaves a burr free edge on the external of the tube.

These tools are very simple to use but care does need to be taken to ensure a clean cut and to protect the blade for wear.

Press the release button to release the blade. Place over the tube and click into position so the blade is secured against the tube.

Ensure the guide wheels are sitting square against the tube.

Twist the handle in a clockwise direction to firmly secure the wheel against the tube. Do not apply excessive pressure or you will damage the blade.

Rotate the cutter 2 times around the tube and then retighten the handle

Repeat this process until the cut is complete.

It is important to be patient when using this cutter to protect the blade and ensure a clean straight cut.

This cutter has a replaceable blade that can be purchased from us.

On the back of this tool there is a retractable deburrer. Also in the cap on the handle there is an area to hold a spare blade.

Related Products

RapidPress Expansion Bellows

When pipelines are heated or cooled it can cause them to expand or contract in length.

If this is not compensated for it can put extreme pressure on welds or pressed joints resulting in failure.

There are many different ways to allow for this expansion but the RapidPress expansion bellows create an easy and space efficient solution.

Expansion bellows have pressed connections on either end of the fitting and a convoluted stainless centre.

There is a simple formula that can be used to calculate the expansion and contraction in a certain pipe run or alternatively you can refer to the table in the RapidPress Technical guide that makes this easy.

For example, a 12 metre pipe run that has a temperature difference of 90 degrees will have linear expansion of 17.8mm. Our 15mm expansion bellows can expand up to 16mm and our 108mm can expand a further 50mm. Each diameter expansion bellow has a different length of compensation. We can advise you how many bellows your pipeline will need to sufficiently compensate for this expansion.

Our expansion bellows come with a maximum number of work cycles at maximum compression. Sizes from 15 to 54mm have a lifetime cycle of 800 before we recommend changing the fitting. From 76mm to 108mm this lifetime cycle is 500.

Further expansion compensation information can be found in our RapidPress technical guide.

We stock a range of sizes from 15mm up to 108mm in both our RapidPress Inox and Extreme Ranges.

Related Products

Bloopers 2023

How Do Liquid Level Gauges Work?

Liquid level gauges are measuring instruments used to measure fluid levels in tanks and barrels.

These are made up of two parts, known as the ‘Upper’ and ‘Lower’ fitting which is used with 19.05mm polycarbonate or borosilicate glass tube.

This tube is friction fitted between the two fittings into a silicone seal at the outlets, allowing fluid to flow into the tube. Each unit has a stainless steel retaining nut that secures the tube and 25.4-38.1m Tri Clover ferruled connections that secure to the tank.

As the name suggests, liquid levels of tanks or barrels can be gauged by positioning the Upper Gauge at the top of the tank and the Lower Gauge near the bottom, allowing an external view of the liquid level within.

Each fitting has a tap to stop the flow of liquid if the tube needs repairing or replacing. The lower fitting also has a hosetail and extra function which allows the liquid in the tube to be drained if not in use.

The individual gauges are able to withstand a maximum pressure of 145 PSI (10 Bar); however, this may be less depending on the glass tube handling pressure.

Related Products

Weld Neck Rings & How They Work With Backing Flanges

What Are Negative Bushes?

Our Range Of Stainless Sheet

Sheet is used in a variety of different applications for sheet metal fabrication.

Stainless steel sheets are flat thin plates that are available in various thicknesses and sizes.  In our stainless steel sheet range, we stock 2B sheet and perforated sheet with the option of round holes or slotted holes.

2B sheet is used in applications such as industrial and food processing. The 2B sheet we stock comes with a protective fibre laser PE film which protects it from any scratches or marks. We stock two different sizes in either 1219x2438mm or 1524x3048mm. These have various thicknesses from 0.9 to 4mm in 304L and 1.2mm – 3mm in 316L.  

Perforated sheet come with either slotted or round holes and are stocked in 304 grade stainless. It is used in a variety of applications such as guarding, grating and filtration. We have many different options when it comes to the hole sizes, hole spacing and open percentage and comes in full sized sheets of 1219x2438mm in thicknesses from 0.7 by 1.5mm. 

If you aren’t sure what size hole you might require, you can order 100mm sample squares of the perforated sheet to be sure before you purchase.

Related Products

RapidPress Bends vs Elbows

In our RapidPress bends range we have both Female-Female bends and Male-Female bends available in both 90 degree and 45 degree configurations.

We stock these in sizes from 15 – 108mm. Our standard bends are fitted with EPDM seals and have a temperature rating of  -20°C up to 120°C. The pressure rating of these fittings are 16 Bar or 232 PSI. They are also available with Gas Rated NBR/HNBR seals and our Inox Extreme FKM seals. We also stock 90 degree bends with a male BSP thread on one end that is the same size as the press end. So a 54mm bend will have a 50NB Male BSP thread on one end.

The other option available in our RapidPress range is the Male Female 90 degree elbow which is a sharp 90 rather than a bend. This elbow has a Male BSP thread on one end that is the same size as the press end. So a 54mm bend will have a 50NB Male BSP thread on one end. These can be used in situations where the corner is too tight for a standard bend.

Related Products

RJT C Spanners vs RJT Hex Spanners

Our Range of Tube Fittings

The Metal Company’s range of buttweld tube fittings includes bends, tees, and reducers. These fittings are most commonly buttwelded to dairy tube, and are hygienic.

All of our tube fittings are stocked in 316 grade stainless, except our bends, which are stocked in both 304 & 316. Our tube fittings are polished to a 320 grit satin finish, and most of the tube fittings we stock are manufactured to the AS1528.1 standard.

Bends

We stock tube bends in short, medium and long sizes and in 45, 90 and 180 degree formations. Tube bends are used to change the direction of flow. We stock bends to fit half inch, right up to 8 inch tube.

It’s important to know the difference between short, medium and long bends.  Short bends have a short radius with no leg, except the 1 and 1 quarter inch size. They are great for tight spaces. Medium bends are the most common and are a standard bend across many industries. This bend is the same radius as the short bend, but it has a short, straight leg on the ends. Long bends have a longer radius  and have longer legs on each end.

Tees

Tees are used to connect tube in three ways or divide the fluid flow. We stock six different types of tube tees; equal tees, equal Y tees, swept tees, pulled tees, reducing tees and equal cross’s. Equal tees, which are also known as straight tees, are the same diameter on all 3 sides and their legs are the same length from the centre. We also stock equal tee’s pre-welded with RJT’s or Tri Clovers on them. Equal Y Tees are the same diameter and leg length from the centre like a standard equal tee, but in a Y shape. There is 90 degrees between the top two branches, and 135 degrees between the bottom and top branches on both sides.  Swept tees are the same as an equal tee, but they have a curved radius for the branch. This reduces flow restriction and allows the fluid to flow smoother than the sharp 90 degree turn in an equal tee.  Pulled tees have the same overall length as an equal tee but the branch is pulled. This means the branch leg length is significantly shorter. Reducing tees are the same as a pulled tee but the branch reduces in diameter. For example, this 2” tee has a 1” branch.  The equal cross is technically not a tee as it has 4 ports, but this has 4 equal length legs of the same diameter, at 90 degrees to each other. 

Reducers

Tube reducers are used to join two different sizes of tube. There are two standard reducers; concentric reducers and eccentric reducers. Concentric reducers are shaped like a cone, with the smaller end being central to the larger end. In some sizes, we have these pre-welded with Triclover or RJT’s on the end.  Eccentric reducers are offset so one side remains flat. This means one side of the tube can remain flat against a vertical or horizontal surface even when the tube diameter reduces. This is also helpful when draining a horizontal line. The total length of our reducers are equal to the largest diameter

Related Products