Where to get raw material?

[ormandj]

Excuse my ignorance, and lack of terminology. I don't know what to call what I'm looking for, so I haven't been able to find sources using google!

I'm looking for a place I can order aluminum/steel from, as a base for milling out my parts. No, I don't know the exact compositions I'm looking for (again - I'm new at this!) so I was just going to order a couple different types and experiment to learn.

The problem is, I can't find any place online to order steel from. The first part I'm trying to make is a 5mm diameter hardened steel shaft, about 160mm long. I'd also like to make one of these out of aluminum too. Is there some place I can order stock of steel/alu. in order to mill out the shafts (if it's not possible to buy a shaft of 5mm steel/alu in the first place, of course...)

Thanks!
David

[mxtras]

Steel - use either A-36 (hot rolled) or 1018 (cold rolled).

Aluminum - use 6061.

Where? Google is a great tool. There are a lot of online steel places and there are even guys selling small quantities on E-Bay. McMaster Carr sells online and so does MSC Direct. Come to think of it, so does Grainger.

Scott

[ormandj]

I tried googling, but I couldn't figure out what to search for. Try searching for "steel" or "wholesale steel" sometime - you get a bunch of porn, tounge studs, and random links - anything BUT steel/alu suppliers. That's why I'm asking what to search for.

Thanks for the material #s!

Cheers,
David

[cbass]

Try these guys, they are pretty resonable....

http://www.industrialmetalsales.com/


Its the shipping that will kill you. I'd look locally first.

Carlo

[ormandj]

Originally Posted by cbass Try these guys, they are pretty resonable.... http://www.industrialmetalsales.com/ Its the shipping that will kill you. I'd look locally first. Carlo

That site looked good. They don't carry any stock in metric sizes, so I'd have to throw away some metal, but the prices are pretty decent. Thanks.

[leberen]

There's gotta be somewhere near you that supplies metals. I can understand if you live somewhere remote, then they'll charge you more because it cost more for them to ship. if you get really desperate you can check ebay, maybe even find surplus "lots" on ebay.

[ormandj]

I live in Hawaii, I'm sure there are places selling metal here, they'll just charge me 50 times more. It's probably cheaper to buy from mainland/overseas and ship than it is to buy local. Every company here is one big fat ripoff.

Thanks though, I'll call around and see. I'll check fleabay too!

Cheers,
David

Part of the problem is everything I do is in metric, and all these places only deal in inches. :/

[leberen]

lol, but a shack in hawaii is worth millions!! To live in such a beautiful environment, I guess its worth paying extra. The only time I shipped to hawaii was a pair of watches, shipping was much cheaper than I expected. Theres one place I thought was good but lemme find the bookmark.. If you have any friends in the military, dosent it help costwise?

[OCNC]

Originally Posted by ormandj The first part I'm trying to make is a 5mm diameter hardened steel shaft, about 160mm long. I'd also like to make one of these out of aluminum too. Is there some place I can order stock of steel/alu. in order to mill out the shafts (if it's not possible to buy a shaft of 5mm steel/alu in the first place, of course...) Thanks! David

You should look at Misumi Their number SFJ5-160 is a 52100 bearing steel precision 5mm linear shaft 160mm long selling for $5.50. Induction hardening is an option. I don't believe that they sell any aluminum shafting. Many combinations of end machining are also available.

Chris

[Harlow]

Metal Express

Online Metals

[NC Cams]

Try ASAP Source in Ann Arbor Michigan. They take plastic and ship daily via UPS and Fedex.

Pretty sure they have a website. They advertise a lot in Home Shop Machinist.