Where to buy non-blade metals

Sean Yaw

Sean Yaw

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
Messages
417
There are lots of custom fixturing solutions for elements of slipjoint construction (e.g., relieving liners, parsher plate holders, bolster aligners, …). Do people usually use steel or aluminum or whatever you have lying around for those projects? Where do people buy the steel or aluminum for homemade fixturing? It seems like sizes available at Home Depot may be a little limited. Thank you.
 
I doubt you'll find anything useful at Home Depot unless you need a BBQ cover or something. For small quantities you can try online metals or metal supermarket.
 
Check out a welding fabrication shop they will have a corner of the yard for scrap cuts and drops. They know I probably have an extra Burrito in my truck when I come looking for scrap to build fixtures. They sell me scrap by the pound and it's cheaper and less waste on my end. It's good to have friends with lots of scrap to them, but Gold for my small projects.
 
Some scrap yards also separate sellable metals like steel and aluminum. I get all sorts of blocks and plate in aluminum, plain steel, and stainless for scrap prices.
 
You can get aluminum plate is several thicknesses and sizes off of amazon. As others have said, there is also metals supermarket
 
Have you checked the steel suppliers in your area? If there are any, that is....
 
I have bought aluminum from Xometry when they had a free shipping promotion. Midwest steel usually has the lowest prices I can find, and I buy most aluminum from them. Unless I need something quickly, then it's McMaster or Xometry. There is a steel supplier in town that carries mild steel tubing, angle and sheet that I buy from. I sometimes buy alloy steel and drill rod from the local Grainger store.
 
Sean Yaw said:
There are lots of custom fixturing solutions for elements of slipjoint construction (e.g., relieving liners, parsher plate holders, bolster aligners, …). Do people usually use steel or aluminum or whatever you have lying around for those projects? Where do people buy the steel or aluminum for homemade fixturing? It seems like sizes available at Home Depot may be a little limited. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Find some machine shop that have laser fiber and water jet .They have lot of waste material of any kind .Al , steel , stainless ...etc
Today I took this one from my friend shop , it is stainless 8mm thick which i need for guards .I pay ............well I promised to take some beer the next time I go there ;)

QzXu5T6.jpg


All this will end up in scrap yard ...............

Lf2JMCi.jpg
 
Locally, it makes no sense to pay shipping on metals.

Crack the yellow pages.

Maybe some scrap yards will sell, most won't

If you were in Ontario Canada, I'd send you here.



Metal supermarket is stupid expensive, unless you can walk in and pick up a cutoff drop from the cutoff drop short pile.
Then it's sometimes a wave goodbye and have a nice day.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top