where do you buy your metal??

sts9fan · 13th October 2006, 01:12 PM

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

Thanks

poobah · 13th October 2006, 02:38 PM

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.

kec · 13th October 2006, 06:33 PM

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

Ed LaFontaine · 13th October 2006, 07:03 PM

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

Let's hear it for dumpster divers!

gl · 13th October 2006, 08:11 PM

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

SY · 13th October 2006, 08:26 PM

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

poobah · 13th October 2006, 08:31 PM

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

Cool site...

XEAGLEKEEPER · 13th October 2006, 08:42 PM

You can also try ebay

SY · 13th October 2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by poobah
Strip the "." and the "/" off the end of the URL.

Cool site...

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

chipco3434 · 13th October 2006, 08:56 PM

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.

13th October 2006, 01:12 PM	#1
sts9fan diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MA	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

13th October 2006, 07:03 PM	#4
Ed LaFontaine ...truth seeker... diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: where the Appalachians rise from the Blue Grass	Look for the local commercial sign makers. I have obtained flats, angles and squares for scrap $$$. Let's hear it for dumpster divers! __________________ ...call me Ed...Special Ed... EnABL kit http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/swap-meet/119852-enabl-kit.html DCB1 parts http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/swap-...ml#post2361098

13th October 2006, 08:26 PM	#6
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	I tried the onlinemetals site and was asked for a username and password. __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

13th October 2006, 08:42 PM	#8
XEAGLEKEEPER diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: central Iowa	You can also try ebay __________________ Ret. USAF... AKA- Avionic * Solder slinger for hire...*

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

13th October 2006, 02:38 PM	#2
poobah diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	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.

13th October 2006, 06:33 PM	#3
kec diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: California	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

13th October 2006, 08:11 PM	#5
gl diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sierra Foothills - California	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

13th October 2006, 08:31 PM	#7
poobah diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	Strip the "." and the "/" off the end of the URL. Cool site...

13th October 2006, 08:56 PM	#10
chipco3434 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Racine, Wisconsin	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.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Metal Can 6CA7s	69CamaroSS396	Tubes / Valves	6	3rd May 2008 09:52 PM
Metal dome should always go with metal cone? Is this a rule?	Jay_WJ	Multi-Way	5	5th February 2007 06:53 PM
ASC metal can polypro caps: ground the metal can to AC ground?	jarthel	Tubes / Valves	10	6th September 2006 12:54 PM
Metal Oxide vs flamme proof vs metal film	ostie01	Parts	28	26th June 2006 06:38 AM
GEC Metal Cone	dominic	Multi-Way	0	1st October 2004 04:02 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read