Where to get raw material?


Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Where to get raw material?

  1. #1
    Registered
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    19
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Where to get raw material?

    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

    Similar Threads:


  2. #2
    Registered mxtras's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1810
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    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

    Consistency is a good thing....unless you're consistently an idiot.


  3. #3
    Registered
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    19
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    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



  4. #4
    Registered
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    290
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

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

    http://www.industrialmetalsales.com/


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

    Carlo



  5. #5
    Registered
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    19
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote 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.



  6. #6
    Registered leberen's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    106
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    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.



  7. #7
    Registered
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    19
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    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. :/



  8. #8
    Registered leberen's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    106
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    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?



  9. #9
    Registered
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    590
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote 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



  10. #10
    Registered
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    123
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0


  11. #11
    Registered
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    3319
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    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.



Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


About CNCzone.com

    We are the largest and most active discussion forum for manufacturing industry. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

Follow us on


Our Brands

Where to get raw material?

Where to get raw material?