where do you buy your metal??
 

So I was wondering where you guys buy your aluminum flats. I am also looking for copper bar.

Thanks

McMaster Carr has a wide selection of EVERYTHING... expensive though.

Try your yellow pages under "steel", and "metal". The professional places will treat you like a pain in the butt (because you are).

1) Have a good idea what you want.

2) Be willing to accept a scrap piece larger than your needs.

3) Take a fresh dozen donuts with you in the morning (no joke, not Monday).

If you're not too ugly or rude, you'll probably get a piece for free. An invoice is more hassle than it's worth often times. Copper might be different story at the moment.

Also try local sheetmetal or machine shops.

I have a local sheet metal/scrap dealer (who I sell my recycled AL cans to). I can get remnant pieces at the going aluminum scrap cost - usually $2 to $3 a pound. I can basically sell my cans and turn around and buy some AL sheets/plates all in the same place - pretty cool. They also have copper, I'll have to look into that.

Before that, I've purchased from onlinemetals.com before. Prices are OK. Probably better than McMaster-Carr.

-Ken

Look for the local commercial sign makers. I have obtained flats, angles and squares for scrap $$$.

Let's hear it for dumpster divers!:smash: :smash: :smash:

I buy the serious stuff at www.onlinemetals.com. The selection and service are excellent.

The local hardware stores can be a resource too. They all seem to be a bit different. Sometimes you can buy some product that can be sliced up to give you metal parts cheaper than the raw metal stock!

Graeme

I tried the onlinemetals site and was asked for a username and password.

Strip the "." and the "/" off the end of the URL.

Cool site...

You can also try ebay

I exercised Moderator's Privilege and fixed the URL link myself.

I go to a sheet metal fabricator... with 10 bucks in my pocket. Most everything a hobby guy needs is in the scrap bucket. Advantage of the fab guys is they can bend the material or cope a corner for making a box.

Case of beer also works.