Where do you get your aluminum plate

[Cold Fusion]

I've looked on ebay but shipping is a ton. Any suggestions?

[ger21]

Try here:

http://www.metalsupermarkets.com

They have a location in Houston.

Gerry

[balsaman]

www.onlinemetals.com?

Other than that, try your local salvage yard, scrap dealer.

Eric

[pminmo]

http://www.auctionworks.com/store/ga...=lowcostmetals
http://www.shapirosupply.com/

[Cold Fusion]

Ok, my next question is how thick of a plate should I get. I was looking at .500 inch for the end plates and gauntry. These are the parts that I want done in aluminum. http://cnczone.com/forums/attachment...=&postid=15999

[balsaman]

1/2" is good for the endplates. If you can, use (or make) a "C" channel for the cross piece. Less flex.

Actually the side plates can benefit from that sort of design too. My sides can (and do) flex a little from the inertai of accel and decel.

Eric

[Cold Fusion]

What do you use to cut all of your aluminum plate? I'm assuming a table saw for bigger pieces. Will a band saw or jig work for any curved pieces I might be doing (with the proper blades of course).

[pminmo]

http://www.auctionworks.com/store/de...590&sfid=12065

[pminmo]

I use my tables saw with a carbide blade. Read many places on the web said the used woodworking tools with carbide blades/cutters. I was leary, but now that I've done it, no big deal. Haven't tried a router yet.

Phil

p.s. the auction works site, my last order was $10 shipping on a $100 order of aluminum

[CNCadmin]

Thanks a great site, I just bidded on some alum.

[bb99]

OK, this may be a dumb question, but what do the numbers mean (e.g. aluminum 6061 and aluminum 5052)?

--bb99

[Cold Fusion]

They stand for the different grades of aluminum. 6061 is the standard grade. 7075 is stronger but slightly heavier.