Where do you get your metal stock?

[JustSomeGuy]

Originally Posted by cyclestart Home Depot? Dumpster diving? Man you guys are cheap! j/k, I've resorted to both those methods. You've got to be resourceful in this hobby sometimes. I just read the yellow pages for the 2 shops that supply my stuff. Neither of them advertise the fact they sell material, so maybe the yellow pages can be a bit misleading. One of them is a custom-machining/custom-manufacturing shop. Amazing what they have on hand. I love going to pick up material and seeing what projects they have going. Can't duplicate that experience with an on-line supermarket.

Gotta do what ya gotta do...
The first time I went to a supplier, they were just getting out an order that looked it weighed as much as any 6 cars in the parking lot combined. I just wanted a couple of feet of 1 inch square CR steel and a 6 inch slab of 2x3 6061. They were helpful and interested in what I needed the stuff for. Walked out with exactly what I needed for what seemed like pocket change.

[Crevice Reamer]

Originally Posted by Jaime128 I just stopped by Home Depot today and got a round .5"x36" aluminum rod.....

Hardware aluminum is not recommended for machining. It is too soft and "sticky" to work well. You will want to get at least 6061 grade from an actual industrial metal dealer.

CR.

[blades]

Originally Posted by cyclestart Home Depot? Dumpster diving? Man you guys are cheap!

I resemble that remark!
You must have seen my other "budget projects"

[Jaime128]

I learn something new every time I read it. Resourceful is the key word as a beginner. Since I'm just getting my hands wet, the Home Depot is fine until I can get everything set up and get whatever other tools I need. Plus, the practice will come in handy later I'm sure. And yes, LA = Los Angeles. Although I know there are plenty of places, I never had to look for them until now. I never had any machines before, but now that I do, it's time to find some. Yes, google is our friend too. I know how to use that, but sometimes is faster to ask people doing this stuff, like all of you here and maybe get pointed in the right direction. Just saving a bit of time.

[ringram2077]

Take a look on ebay. I found some nice 1/2" 6061 plate there cheaper than I could buy it locally including shipping. Locally I have bought from Metalsupermarket. Most of the plate there looks pretty rough.

[apache405]

Originally Posted by Jaime128 . Yes, google is our friend too. I know how to use that, but sometimes is faster to ask people doing this stuff, like all of you here and maybe get pointed in the right direction. Just saving a bit of time.

I agree. Google is great, but sometimes it takes long to sort out the BS from the real stuff.

[mcarvey]

I get most of my aluminum through Enco (www.use-enco.com). They usually have a promo code that gives you free shipping on orders of more than a certain amount (usually 50 or 200 dollars) Probably not the best prices, but I don't have to get up from my seat and they have what I need most of the time. Most of the aluminum that I work with is either rods, or bars that is less than .25"x4", so I just cut the 6' bars to length and don't have much waste. The times I need a larger chunk of aluminum I'll either get it from ebay or mcmaster. I've also ordered steel from Alro Metals (www.asapsource.com) who have a pretty decent selection.

-Matt

[Jaime128]

They got tons of stuff here and of course the other links too...By the way, if you're just starting, don't spend more than 20 bucks. Trust me, this will keep you busy for a little while. Just have an idea of what you want to make so you buy roughly what you will use. You don't want to buy a bunch of stuff then not use it. Just a handful of pieces will keep you busy. I just finished making some clamps for my vise and well, that's a little project in itself if you haven't machine anything. It looks very simple, but will take you a while...
http://www.imsmetals.com/