Aluminum at Lowe's

[DroopyPawn]

My local Lowe's has steel and aluminum flats, channels, angles, etc. I know the steel is cold rolled 1018 but I'm not sure what the aluminum is. It seems to soft to be 6061. Does anyone know for sure?

They didn't have the exact dimensions I was looking for but they said they could probably order any size I need.

I've been looking around on eBay for a supplier of steel and aluminum for building a machine but I may have overlooked a pretty good local supplier. By the time eBay shipping is figured in (no shipping cost at Lowe's), the price may be significantly lower.

gs

[ssutton]

I do not know what the exact alloy is but I work with a lot of aluminum and I can say for sure that the aluminum that I get from my local Lowes is not 6061-T6. It is way to gummy and soft. I order aluminum from Mcmaster Carr or from Aircraft Spruce and Specialty.

Scott

[CarveOne]

My local Lowe's has steel and aluminum flats, channels, angles, etc. I know the steel is cold rolled 1018 but I'm not sure what the aluminum is. It seems to soft to be 6061. Does anyone know for sure?

They didn't have the exact dimensions I was looking for but they said they could probably order any size I need.

I've been looking around on eBay for a supplier of steel and aluminum for building a machine but I may have overlooked a pretty good local supplier. By the time eBay shipping is figured in (no shipping cost at Lowe's), the price may be significantly lower.

gs

Look around your area for a local steel supplier. You can get better prices and local delivery rates. I have ordered some stuff from Discount Steel, Speedy Metals, Metal Express, and Midwest Steel Supply. Most everything I get now comes from a nearby branch of BMG Metals in Wilson, NC. Their home office is in Richmond, Va.

CarveOne

[Aryantes]

Look around your area for a local steel supplier. You can get better prices and local delivery rates. I have ordered some stuff from Discount Steel, Speedy Metals, Metal Express, and Midwest Steel Supply. Most everything I get now comes from a nearby branch of BMG Metals in Wilson, NC. Their home office is in Richmond, Va.

CarveOne

I also buy from BMG Metals. The office I go to is in Manassas, VA.

The prices are definitely cheaper than online, but they aren't wholesale prices. (You may be able to establish an account or something though)

Also, if you do go to a local supplier, offer to buy their scraps. You can often get awesome small pieces for a fraction of the cost of new large flats.

[ger21]

6061 aluminum angle will have rounded corners on the inside.

[doorknob]

I believe that the aluminum flat bar that I have bought at Lowes is 5052 alloy.

The aluminum is marked with a color code that signifies the alloy. The stuff that I got from Lowes had a purple color stripe on the end.

IIRC 6061 has a blue color code.

The 5052 is gummier than 6061, but it is better for bending without cracking.


Search google for aluminum color code and you will probably find a chart.

OK, I found one:

http://www.westlakemetals.com/opencm...LOR_CODESa.pdf

[antisubae]

I ordered materials for my machine through Online Metals.

Not-astronomical shipping rates, good overall prices, and a far wider selection than any place local to me. Under a week for a coast-to-coast delivery too.

[ger21]

I use Online Metals as well. Very happy with the prices and service.

[louieatienza]

I use Online Metals as well. Very happy with the prices and service.

There's a welding shop nearby where I've gotten good deals on aluminum plate. They have a good supply of different plate thicknesses and other profiles. For others, might be another local source to check if you need something in a pinch.

[ger21]

For local places, look for a Metal Supermarket. Convenient, but a bit pricey.
I have a Speedy Metals a block away from my work, but haven't been there yet.