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Frequently Asked Questions

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Various Steel Grades3 mm to 300mm
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which areas in Birmingham do you cover?

We work with businesses across all areas of Birmingham including Digbeth, Aston, Erdington, Selly Oak and beyond.

What companies do you work with in Birmingham?

Yes, we support clients across multiple sectors including construction, engineering, design and fabrication.

What CNC machining services do you offer in Coventry?

We provide CNC milling, drilling, tapping, boring, chamfering and countersinking.

What materials can you work with?

We primarily machine steel, from 3mm to 300mm thick.

How quickly can I get a quote for CNC machining in Coventry?

Quotes are usually provided within 24 hours of enquiry.

What areas in and around Coventry do you cover?

We cover all of Coventry including Earlsdon, Tile Hill, Binley, Canley, Whitley and nearby areas.

Can you help with one-off parts as well as larger production runs?

Yes, we handle both single components and large batch production.

What CNC machining services do you offer in Stoke on Trent?

We provide CNC milling, drilling, tapping, chamfering, countersinking and more using advanced machining centres.

What materials can you machine?

We commonly machine a variety of steels, like mild steel, up to 300mm thick.

How large can your machines handle?

Our vertical milling centres can work on components up to 1620mm x 810mm and our extended facilities can machine up to 6.5m x 2.5m.

How long does it take to get a quote?

Quotes are typically returned within 24 hours. Just send us your specs and we’ll take care of the rest.

Which areas around Stoke on Trent do you cover?

We work with businesses across the Stoke on Trent area including Hanley, Fenton, Longton, Burslem and Tunstall.

What types of steel fabrication services do you offer in Birmingham?

We offer plasma cutting, flame cutting, CNC machining and chamfering and beveling to suit a wide range of project needs.

Which industries do you support with your steel fabrication in Birmingham?

We work with sectors including construction, transport, recycling, oil and gas, and rail throughout Birmingham.

What is the difference between plasma cutting and flame cutting?

Plasma cutting provides high precision for thinner steels, while flame cutting is ideal for thicker, heavy-duty materials.

Do you offer bespoke machining and finishing for fabricated components?

Yes, we provide CNC machining and in-house finishing services like chamfering and deburring to deliver ready-to-use components.

What areas around Birmingham do you cover?

We serve the whole of Birmingham including Aston, Sutton Coldfield and Longbridge.

What types of steel can be cut using plasma cutting?

We specialise in cutting mild steel, carbon steel and stainless steel in various grades and thicknesses.

What is the maximum thickness that can be cut using plasma?

Our equipment effectively cuts materials up to 75mm thick, with optimal quality achieved in the 1mm to 60mm range.

How accurate is plasma cutting?

Our CNC plasma cutting delivers high precision with tolerances typically within +/-1.5mm/2mm depending on material thickness.

What is the difference between standard and HD plasma cutting?

HD plasma creates a more focused arc that produces cleaner cuts with less bevel and higher precision than standard plasma.

What information do you need to provide a quote?

Material specifications, quantities and any specific tolerance requirements.

What CNC services do you provide in Derby?

Our services include CNC milling, drilling, tapping, chamfering, countersinking and boring.

Do you cover areas outside Derby city centre?

Yes! We work with companies across the wider Derby area, including Alvaston, Chellaston, Littleover, Chaddesden and more.

How long does it take to receive a quote?

Most quotes are issued within 24 hours of receiving your enquiry.

Do you accept both small and large projects?

Absolutely! We’re set up to manage anything from individual components to high-volume production.

What materials can you work with?

We primarily machine steel, from 3mm to 300mm thick.

What CNC machining services do you offer in Nottingham?

We offer CNC milling, drilling, tapping, countersinking and more using high-performance vertical machining centres.

What materials can you machine?

We specialise in steel, working with thicknesses ranging from 3mm to 300mm.

How large can your machines handle?

Our vertical milling centres can work on components up to 1620mm x 810mm and our extended facilities can machine up to 6.5m x 2.5m.

How long does it take to get a quote?

We aim to provide free quotes for all Nottingham-based enquiries within 24 hours.

Which areas around Nottingham do you cover?

We serve businesses throughout Nottinghamshire, including Beeston, Lenton, Wollaton, Hockley, Lace Market and surrounding areas.

What steel grades do you work with?

We work with various grades with thicknesses from 3mm to 300mm, including mild steel.

What is your minimum/maximum thickness capability for steel cutting?

Our steel cutting capabilities range from 1mm to 400mm thickness, depending on the specific service.

What cutting methods do you offer for steel profiling?

We specialise in plasma cutting and flame/oxy-fuel cutting, optimised for different material thicknesses and precision requirements.

Do you provide finishing services after cutting or machining?

Yes, we offer various finishing services including shotblasting & grinding.

What quality control measures do you have in place?

We are approved to ISO 9001 and CE Execution Class 4 standards, ensuring consistent quality across all our steel components.

What tolerances can you achieve with your steel plate cutting services?

For both plasma and flame cutting up to 40mm we maintain +/-1.5mm accuracy, while thicker materials follow increasing tolerances up to +/-6mm for plates over 150mm thick.

What types of steel can you cut with your profile cutting services?

Our versatile cutting capabilities allow us to process virtually all non-ferrous steel materials including mild steel to meet different industrial requirements.

What is the maximum thickness of steel plate you can cut?

We can cut steel plates up to 300mm thick using our flame cutting equipment, while recommending plasma cutting for optimal results on materials between 6mm and 38mm.

Do you provide material certification with your steel plate cutting services?

Yes, we provide full material certification and traceability documentation with all our cut steel products, including mill certificates and processing details that satisfy CE Execution Class 4 requirements.

Can you handle small batch or one-off profile cutting requirements?

We accommodate everything from one-off bespoke profiles to large production runs with our flexible production setup, pricing fairly regardless of order size.

What materials can be cut using your flame cutting services?

Our oxy fuel cutting services are ideal for any type of steel, including mild steels, with capabilities to handle thicknesses from 5mm up to 300mm.

What is the maximum thickness you can cut with flame cutting?

Our advanced flame cutting equipment can effectively process steel plates from 5mm up to an impressive 400mm in thickness, making it perfect for heavy engineering projects.

How does the cost of flame cutting compare to laser cutting?

Flame cutting provides a more cost-effective solution than laser or waterjet cutting, particularly for thicker materials and larger batch sizes.

Do you offer any secondary operations after flame cutting?

We provide a complete one-stop shop service including bevelling, drilling, tapping, countersinking and various finishing processes to deliver fully prepared components ready for your next production stage.

What quality standards do your oxy fuel cutting services adhere to?

All our flame cutting work complies with BS EN 1090 Execution Class 4 standards.

What tolerances can you achieve with your steel plate machining services?

Our advanced CNC equipment maintains tolerances of ±0.1mm for drilling and milling operations. Tighter specifications are available on request for specialist applications.

What is the maximum thickness of steel plate you can machine?

We work with steel plates up to 300mm thick but for optimal efficiency, we usually machine between 5mm and 75mm.

What finishing options do you offer for machined profiles?

We provide a variety of finishing services including shot blasting. All finishing processes are performed in-house as part of our one-stop shop service.

Do you provide material certificates and quality documentation with machined components?

Yes. As an ISO 9001 and CE Execution Class 4 certified company, we supply full material traceability documentation, dimensional inspection reports and required certifications with all orders.

How does your plate working solution reduce costs compared to traditional machining methods?

Our single-setup system eliminates transport between workstations and reduces handling time. This minimises labour costs while improving accuracy.

What is the maximum size you can handle for CNC machining?

Our CNC machining facility can accommodate workpieces up to 6.5 metres x 2.5 metres, making us suitable for both small precision components and larger industrial parts.

Do you offer 24-hour service for urgent CNC machining requirements?

Yes, we provide 24-hour availability for our CNC machining services to ensure quick turnaround times when you need parts urgently.

Can I supply my own materials for machining?

Absolutely. We offer free issue machining where you can supply the materials and we’ll provide the expertise and equipment to transform them into finished components.

What file formats do you accept for CNC machining?

We accept hard copy drawings, DXF files or NC1 files that can be loaded directly into our machines, helping to reduce programming time and overall project costs.

What types of machining operations can you perform?

Our CNC machining services include drilling, tapping, chamfering, milling, boring, counterboring, countersinking and many other operations specific to your needs.

What materials can you CNC machine?

We work with a range of materials but specialise in all types of mild steels. If you have specific requirements, feel free to contact us to discuss your project needs.

Are your CNC milling services ISO 9001 accredited?

Yes, we are ISO 9001 accredited, ensuring consistent quality management across all our operations.

How quick can you offer a CNC milling quotes?

For all enquiries, we aim to provide a quote within 24 hours. Depending on the time of day, we may even get it to you the same day.

What are the maximum dimensions you can machine?

Our CNC milling capabilities allow us to machine parts up to 1620mm x 810mm in size with thicknesses from 3mm to 300mm.

Can you handle both prototype and production quantity orders?

We excel at both one-off prototypes and full production runs, offering consistent quality regardless of order size.

What materials do you offer CNC drilling services for?

We specialise exclusively in steel drilling services. By focusing solely on mild steels, we ensure the highest levels of precision and efficiency across every CNC drilling project we undertake.

What is the maximum size component you can drill?

Our CNC drilling service can accommodate steel parts up to 1620mm x 810mm. Whether you need holes drilled in large steel plates or smaller components, our machines can handle a wide range of project sizes.

What types of holes can you drill with CNC machines?

Using our advanced CNC drilling machines, we can drill holes of various sizes, shapes and depths, including countersunk and tapped holes. We can drill into a blank profile or open up an existing hole to your required specifications.

How quickly can you turn around CNC drilling jobs?

We pride ourselves on delivering a fast and cost-effective CNC drilling service. Turnaround times depend on the complexity and size of the job, but our in-house capabilities mean we can often complete orders quicker than many general machine shops.

Are your CNC drilling services certified?

Yes, we are ISO 9001 accredited and hold CE Execution Class 4 certification, ensuring that all our steel drilling services meet the highest standards for quality and safety in the industry.

What is shot blasting?

Shot blasting propels small particles at high velocity to clean steel surfaces and prepare them for further processing or coating.

What types of steel parts can be shot blasted using your services?

We shot blast virtually any steel component using either our rotary barrel for smaller parts or our 1500mm diameter table for larger items.

How does shot blasting differ from other surface finishing methods?

Shot blasting creates a more uniform finish across entire surfaces including recessed areas without using potentially harmful chemicals.

Is shot blasting an environmentally friendly process?

Our shot blasting systems feature integral dust extraction and material recovery systems that minimise environmental impact while avoiding chemical treatments.

Can shot blasting damage delicate steel components?

Our experienced technicians carefully select the appropriate blasting parameters to ensure thorough cleaning without damaging even delicate steel components.

What is steel finishing and why is it important?

Steel finishing prepares parts for use by improving their surface, accuracy and appearance.

What steel finishing services do you offer?

We offer Lumsden grinding, shot blasting, flattening and deburring in-house and subcontract.

Do you finish mild steel and structural steel?

Yes, we finish a variety of grades including mild and structural steel.

What tolerances can you achieve?

We offer tolerances as tight as ±0.25mm for grinding and ±2mm per metre for flattening.

How quickly can you deliver finished parts?

Our in-house and subcontract operations allows us to turn around jobs quickly with reliable UK-wide delivery.

What tolerances can you achieve with your steel grinding services?

We typically achieve an angle grinding tolerance of ±0.25mm, providing flat, consistent finishes suitable for further processing.

What materials can you grind?

Our service is suited to most types steel used in industrial applications. If you’re unsure about your material, our team can advise.

Is Lumsden grinding suitable for small jobs or one-offs?

Yes. We support both one-off items and large batch grinding projects.

How long will the grinding process take?

Turnaround times are typically fast thanks to our streamlined process and trusted subcontracted grinding specialists. Let us know your deadline and we’ll do our best to meet it.

Do you offer delivery?

Yes. We provide nationwide delivery on all surface ground components.

What CNC machining services do you offer in the West Midlands?

We provide CNC milling, drilling, tapping, boring, countersinking and more using advanced vertical machining centres.

What materials can you machine?

We specialise in machining steel components ranging from 3mm to 300mm in thickness.

What is the maximum size part you can handle?

We can machine parts up to 1620mm x 810mm, with larger workpieces supported up to 6.5m x 2.5m.

How quickly can I get a quote?

We aim to provide all quotes within 24 hours of receiving your enquiry.

Which areas in the West Midlands do you cover?

We serve clients across Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley and the wider West Midlands region.

What CNC machining services do you offer to Birmingham businesses?

We offer CNC milling, drilling, tapping, boring, countersinking and more, using advanced vertical machining centres.

Can you handle both small and large volume CNC jobs?

Yes, we are equipped to support both one-off prototypes and high-volume production runs.

How quickly can I get a quote for my machining project?

We provide free quotes within 24 hours so you can keep your project moving.