Newbie- Cheap sources for raw materials

[rgarrett7]

Where do people go to get scrap metal for experimenting with or actually using for projects? I know I can order new material online, but I wondered if people had creative ideas for cheap sources of reasonably usable steel or aluminum.

[draculia]

I use speedymetals.com since you can order everything by the inch, and they have a large selection of items.

[CS900]

call around to local machine shops. they often have a scrap bin that you can buy things from for very cheap.

[sansbury]

I use Metal Source--they sell scraps from larger shipments on a cash-and-carry basis. I think they will also do mail order if you call them but then you get dinged on shipping. There is another chain of metal supply places whose name escapes me but has a similar thing.

http://www.metalsource.com/

[tikka308]

sansbury - just curious, which metalsource are you located near?

[sansbury]

Woburn--I live in Boston. Absolutely awesome resource. The prices and selection are so good I've never bothered to go scrap-diving.

[rgarrett7]

metalsource does look like a great site. I'll see if I can find a store that is local to me (Washington, DC).

However, I was looking for ideas along the lines of checking with local machine shops for scrap. I plan to buy new material for projects and I don't mind ordering over the Internet. However I was looking for a cheap local source when I am just experimenting, learning new techniques, etc.

[blackbeard52]

Go to a local scrap recycler/dealer... I dont know about Washington but around here there are several... I have found it is dirt cheap for all types of materials...even bought Aluminum extrusion in great condition for $2 a pound or less....