wholesalers or screwfix

[Farmelectrics]

were do most shop im finding of late screwfix to be cheaper than the local wholesalers your thoughts

 

[Andy78]

Screwfix can be a bit cheaper sometimes, but I only go there if stuck or the others are closed. I'd rather pay 10% more for materials I am happy using.

 

[Adam W]

If you use one wholesaler they'll probably give you preferential rates. If they don't then haggle them down - something you can't do with Screwfix.

 

[ryan1988]

Screw fix isn't to bad, use CEF alot and sometimes Edmundsons

 

[camerabloke]

You can haggle down electrifix. My local branch guy knows his onions and gives us more discount than the books

 

[davesparks]

I use a wholesaler for electrical stuff and screwfix for screws, fixings, DIY crap and that kind of thing plus the occasional Sunday afternoon callout.

Screwfix are cheaper for some electrical stuff, but the service is not what i get from the wholesaler. I can't phone screwfix at 8am and have stuff delivered by 12 or get any special items in, I can't walk round their warehouse looking for inspiration or get useful advice about products

 

[Geordie Spark]

I ordered a shock arrestor from The Shower Doctor today.

 

[GMES]

It's like Argos for house basher's

 

[telectrix]

I ordered a shock arrestor from The Shower Doctor today.

????????????????????????

 

[Geordie Spark]

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Like this --->>

 

[mechelec]

Like this --->>

Is that an accumulator ?

 

[telectrix]

what's betting on the horses got to do with it?

 

[Welchyboy1]

The quality of screwfix materials is so poor and thats if they have it in stock, used to be ok till kingfisher bought it and turned it into a DIY outlet

 

[tigerpaul]

My local Edmundsons have friendly helpful staff, they actually want to help you source your materials. Screw fix is okay when I'm caught out on Saturday afternoons though.

 

[PEG]

Screwfix has its' uses,but they DO have some very poor items,tools especially. I recall a friend purchasing some cheap circular saw blades,and on testing them,discovering a better product could be sourced by using a similar sized pastry pie lid,with pieces of Toblerone inserted at the edges...:icon12:

 

[shanky887614]

Screwfix has its' uses,but they DO have some very poor items,tools especially. I recall a friend purchasing some cheap circular saw blades,and on testing them,discovering a better product could be sourced by using a similar sized pastry pie lid,with pieces of Toblerone inserted at the edges...:icon12:

that was his problem, buying cheap.

 

[amlu]

tlc is good but its little far cant go much often, they deliver next day too.
cpc, rapid online
screwfix has plenty of branches around, average quality
toolstation some things are ok, some not, good for spotlights and led lamps. .
local wholesalers not so nice, good prices for members of the club, and im not a member.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Is that an accumulator ?

Similar.

You see that band around its middle?

Well there's a neoprene diaphragm held in place by that and it divides the inside of the thing into two hemispheres.

The top half is filled with nitrogen gas at 0.5 bar. and there's a Shraeder valve (car tyre) valve sticking out the top to allow for replenishment.

The bottom half is empty and there;s a half inch bsp fitting to connect into the rising main of a building water supply.

The idea is that if there's any water hammer in the supply the shock of said hammer will be absorbed by the nitrogen pressing on the other side of the diaphragm.

Combi boilers don't like water hammer and for some reason my house supply has recently acquired water hammer that I can't get rid of so this Shock Arrestor (AKA Mini Expansion Vessel) has beeN purchased for fitting when health allows.

The cost is less that £30 but it could save my £1000 boiler from getting shagged.


EDIT!!! .. I beat the swear filter!! Happy Happy Happy!!! :hurray::hurray:

 

[Fin170]

TLC for me

Im not sparking 100% of the time now so can't build a good relationship with a wholesaler but even when I was I found wholesalers didn't give as good service as TLC does. Never had any problems with returns or deliveries and never been stealthily charged £17 for a bog standard 20A DP switch!

 

[Farmelectrics]

whats tlc

 

[HandySparks]

...The bottom half is empty and there;s a half inch bsp fitting to connect into the rising main of a building water supply.
...

The cost is less that £30 but it could save my £1000 boiler from getting shagged.

EDIT!!! .. I beat the swear filter!! Happy Happy Happy!!! :hurray::hurray:

Yeah. I noticed that you'd slipped the word 'bottom' in there. :biggrin:

 

[SJD]

whats tlc

Search for "TLC Direct", though I think they only cover down South (plus Wales). I use them a lot, again very good service, no problems with returns. My only small criticism is it can sometimes take a while to get served, at least at the Slough branch I use, if it's busy.

 

[mechelec]

Similar.

You see that band around its middle?

Well there's a neoprene diaphragm held in place by that and it divides the inside of the thing into two hemispheres.

The top half is filled with nitrogen gas at 0.5 bar. and there's a Shraeder valve (car tyre) valve sticking out the top to allow for replenishment.

The bottom half is empty and there;s a half inch bsp fitting to connect into the rising main of a building water supply.

The idea is that if there's any water hammer in the supply the shock of said hammer will be absorbed by the nitrogen pressing on the other side of the diaphragm.

Combi boilers don't like water hammer and for some reason my house supply has recently acquired water hammer that I can't get rid of so this Shock Arrestor (AKA Mini Expansion Vessel) has beeN purchased for fitting when health allows.

The cost is less that £30 but it could save my £1000 boiler from getting shagged.


EDIT!!! .. I beat the swear filter!! Happy Happy Happy!!! :hurray::hurray:

I have used a similar thing (higher pressure) on hydraulic systems to smooth spikes when we had a series pump bodies cracking.

 

[Geordie Spark]

I have used a similar thing (higher pressure) on hydraulic systems to smooth spikes when we had a series pump bodies cracking.

Aye, they have lots of uses - including motor car suspension. Citroen & Rolls Royce spring to mind.

Citroen got there first & R R saw it as a good idea & adopted it.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Well Screwfix can't be that bad if almost half of the members who voted use screwfix as their main electrical supplier!

http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk...ctrical-suppliers-electrical-wholesalers.html

 

[bigbaddave]

Screwfix or should I say electrafix are up for negotiation, I have a email for my local branch, big ordered they can help you out. It's handy when you need a bit of everything.. Mind you still use my inderpendant dealer for most stuff.

 

[PEG]

I have used a similar thing (higher pressure) on hydraulic systems to smooth spikes when we had a series pump bodies cracking.

Description for such devices,range from Plenum chambers,Hydraulic dampers and System-cushion,the last one being a translation on a Japanese machines service manual.

Heavy plant with high carried load,such as a dozers' lift arms,have them downstream of any safety valving.

A good example of using plain old air as a "cushion" is the function of the hemisphere,in a Primatic cylinder,where its' operation is assisted by a mere bubble...

I did some work for a pal of mine,who installed four of the biggest,sectional radiators,i have ever seen in a domestic setting.

He bought them in France,and had them re-furbished,the largest weighing 350 kg.

The massive increase in system capacity,had to be catered for,expansion wise,by fitting a giant expansion vessel,which we simply tee'd off the CH output,near to the boiler. I think we had to measure system pressure cold,and pump vessel up to the same,plus a bit. :icon12:

 

[electron1]

Search for "TLC Direct", though I think they only cover down South (plus Wales). I use them a lot, again very good service, no problems with returns. My only small criticism is it can sometimes take a while to get served, at least at the Slough branch I use, if it's busy.

I have had Lamps from TLC, delivered to Carnforth, but that was by order not by Local Branch service.
Return service ok as 1 off lamp damaged, quickly replaced after contact via telephone.

 

[chris murphy]

Like this --->>

"Hello Geordie Spark",

Can I suggest that You test your Home`s Water Main pressure regarding altering the pressure in the `Shock Arrestor` vessel - and as the Mains pressure will fluctuate throughout the Day and from Weekdays to Weekends it might be impossible to get the vessel pressure correct to stop the Hydraulic Shock in your Water Main.

I think that the vessels come pressurised to about 5 Bar from the Manufacturers - this would probably be too high if your Mains pressure is well below that - as there would be no `give` in the membrane.


I have fitted these in the past and I have also always had to alter the Mains pipework - usually in the Roof space - so that the Pressure surge that causes the Hydraulic shock goes `directly` to the Shock Arrestor - i.e. that it is fitted at the end of the Water main pipe run - IF possible - although as you know often the Water Tank Ball-valve [`Float-valve`] is at the end of the Mains pipe run.

In my own Home just after I fitted some new Bathroom and Kitchen `Quarter turn` taps there was a slight increase in the average pressure of the Water main in our area - only about 0.3 Bar increase - immediately the taps being turned off as usual / now `too quickly` was causing Hydraulic Shock in our Mains pipe - I tried to just get my family members to just turn the Taps off slower but they just could not get used to it.

After testing the Mains pressure at various times throughout a couple of Weeks / Weekends I fitted a Shock Arrestor similar to what You have pictured - our average Mains pressure was about 2.5 Bar - with momentary Surges to 3.5 Bar [causing the Hydraulic shock] when the Taps were `turned off too quickly`[/B


Trying various vessel pressures including equalising the vessel pressure with the average Mains pressure also did not work - one might think that with 2.5 Bar on either side of the vessel membrane the vessel would then `take` the 1 Bar surge and eliminate the Shock noise - this did not work at all times - nor did pressurising the vessel to 3 Bar - and at times when our Mains pressure goes down to about 2 Bar [Evenings and Weekends] the 2.5 Bar vessel pressure possibly distorts the membrane fully into the shape of the vessel - but at 2.0 Bar we don`t get the Hydraulic Shock when the Taps are turned off too quickly.

I think that I remember that the maximum pressure rating of my Shock Arrestor vessel is 10 Bar - But obviously the actual pressure behind the membrane cannot be increased to anything like that - I would not want to go above about 4 - 5 Bar [maximum] and the membrane of some [cheaper] vessels might not be able to take anything like that pressure - I think that my vessel is from Altechnic or RWC [Reliance] so a `good quality` fitting.

I have left the Shock Arrestor in place for a few Years - BUT I don`t think that it has ever `done the job` of preventing the Hydraulic Shock in my Water Mains pipework - my Family members have just gotten used to NOT turning the Quarter turn Taps Off `too quickly` - verbally encouraged by Me !


I wish You luck with the Shock Arrestor - IF You have good Mains pressure at your Home I think that you will be messing about with a Foot-pump quite a lot - also there is such a small amount of volume in the vessel that even just disconnecting the Pump from the Schrader valve probably negates more of the pressure than one might realise - getting an accurate / correct vessel pressure could be a problem.

You might be able to just fit it and find that it `does the job` - I hope that this is the case.


I am sure that You will have already decided to do this - I would always fit a Full Bore Ballofix type valve under the Shock Arrestor - that way you can easily take the vessel off the pipework to pressurise it if necessary.

When You are able to fit the Shock Arrestor I would be interested in how You got on - perhaps via a Private message if you don`t want to reply to this message at a later date ?


Regards,


Chris

 

[Chris Archer]

were do most shop im finding of late screwfix to be cheaper than the local wholesalers your thoughts

Screwfix for sure, the Wholesalers just can't compete,

It might just be my local CEF but I find I'm stood round for 30-45mins every time I go there, while they continually bring me the wrong things then go back to find the right things,
then I always find the invoices are wrong and always extra things I didn't have. so I have to mess around getting them to correct it every time I go.
Also I cant quote using materials from CEF cause I have no idea how much anything costs so I have to call them and hope they get all the information correct then wait days for the quote to come through

where as Screwfix I can quote the same day, are cheaper on everything than city's, and I can order it all on my phone, hit the "I'm here to collect" button on the app when I pull up outside and the stuff is on the counter by the time I've walked in
And other than the LAP crap, their gear is just as good, if not better

I use Mk Logic sockets from Screwfix which look the -------s compared to the square bulky Scolmore crap I get at citys for the same price

Only time I use Cities anymore is when I need something specialist they don't have at Screwfix

 

[littlespark]

Things might have changed in the last 8 years.

(Actually, no, they haven’t)

 

[oscar21]

Things might have changed in the last 8 years.

(Actually, no, they haven’t)

Er yes they have, wholesalers are off the scale cost wise just lately. Its a sad day when CEF are one of the more reasonable ones.

Even toolstation are just as cheap as my local for the same gear.

 

[Mark42]

Superlec Direct for SWA cable. Significantly less money than anywhere else I can find. Ordered 125m of 4-core 10mm five minutes ago. £5.19/m + VAT.

Otherwise TLC for mail order accessories and anything complicated or rare, but watch the prices.

Screwfix for MK sockets.

 

[rewireIT]

People used to laugh at those who went to Screwfix. I go wherever sells what i want the cheapest. Which is usually Screwfix.

 

[pc1966]

Some stuff I get from Screwfix/Toolstation as convenient and costs good for some items, but for many things (like Hager boards, etc) my first choice is Holland House (Scottish wholesale place, so named as the started below the Dutch consulate in Glasgow many, many years ago) as the service/support is very good, occasionally Edmundson (for some cables), Yesss (cable, Armeg bits) and as a last resort CEF.

CEF do have calibration days that work out well, and probably the best web site of them all.

 

[pc1966]

Superlec Direct for SWA cable. Significantly less money than anywhere else I can find. Ordered 125m of 4-core 10mm five minutes ago. £5.19/m + VAT.

Use them occasionally for odd cables by the meter, as I often don't need more than, say, 15m of 16mm 6242B

Otherwise TLC for mail order accessories and anything complicated or rare, but watch the prices.

TLC is good for mail order, also Edward Bros., Falcon Electrical, Tradesparky (occasionally), and iLECSYS Ltd spring to mind recently.

Screwfix for MK sockets.

Yes, the Logic Plus ones i like, not the crap base/essentials versions.

 

[nicebutdim]

CEF do have calibration days that work out well, and probably the best web site of them all.

Online service is excellent, although their pricing ensures that I don't often use it.

The whole wholesaler/online/diy shed argument seems to hinge on what particular commentators buy. I guess someone who buys 100m lengths of 240mm SWA is going to have a very different opinion to a person who buys 100m of 2.5mm T&E.

 

[SparkySy]

I have found CEF to be cheaper than Edmondsons round our way. I always get basics from screwfix but mainly use CEF for commercial/agricultural installation materials.
I use TLC online a lot and superlec for swa and cable cuts as they seem to be best on price and delivery.
Some screwfix items I really don't trust any more having had many failures over the years, like Lap Pir fittings of any flavor, I think every single one I have ever fitted has failed more than once since installation, usually a sensor full of water!
Sy

 

[Dustydazzler]

Screwfix have got 2.5 LSF for 90 quid a roll at the minute

 

[nicebutdim]

Screwfix have got 2.5 LSF for 90 quid a roll at the minute

.

 

[Mike Johnson]

TLC and Edmonsons are opposite each other in Maidstone, and the next industrial Estate along, about half mile has Screwfix and Toolstation within a hundred yards of each other, so it's worth checking on line to see who is cheaper, but then you have the hassle of ordering from different place's.

 

[nicebutdim]

A local town has an Edmundsons and another wholesaler owned by Edmundsons within spitting distance of each other.

Different ranges and different prices.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Since 99% of my work is 'hourly rate' the actual price of materials has pretty much become irrelvant.
I have a Screwfix & ToolStation round the corner from my house and a TLC up the road.I did a small job the other day and found myself buying cable and sockets in B&Q

 

[littlespark]

B& what??

Wash your mouth out with soap and water. We won’t tolerate foul language like that!

 

[Dustydazzler]

B& what??

Wash your mouth out with soap and water. We won’t tolerate foul language like that!

To make it even more sickening I brought 25 metres of 1mm for a little lighting job

What self respecting sparks buys 25 metres of cable...

 

[timhoward]

As an aside, my Toolstation are now strictly enforcing 30 day returns policy for unwanted items.

 

[Dustydazzler]

As an aside, my Toolstation are now strictly enforcing 30 day returns policy for unwanted items.

30 days is pretty standard for retailers , I know some wholesalers will take carp back after months but not all