We do you guys buy your stock? Steel, mainly aluminium in Australia?

[sirchipsalot]

So I have searched around and have spoken to quite a few different suppliers, I have also purchased from a few different suppliers in the past, But I am really interested to hear what your guys opinion is and where do you buy your raw stock from?
I am based in Sydney Australia and mainly looking for Aluminium. Probably about 80% aluminium 20% steel.

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[Sneaky]

Bohler (now called Voestalpine)
Bohler / Voestalpine

[v2tiller]

I have purchased aluminum from Calm Aluminum. They are NSW based and can supply cut to size. I got my cast tooling plate from them.

[rodw]

Action Aluminium are good and are in all states.

[FastFarmer]

Action Aluminium are good and are in all states.

Even on account they are expensive as.

[HumanBean]

I've bought from Capral Aluminium a few times. I don't know how their prices compare to other suppliers but I find them convenient because they are just down the road (for pickup), they cut stock without charge and you can browse and buy through their website. I'm in Adelaide but I think they have sites around the country. For Steel, I usually go to a supplier called Steel Plus, but as far as I know they're only local and not country wide

[FastFarmer]

I don't know how their prices compare to other suppliers

Cheap! However, I have noticed their aluminium of 6060 is much more "doey" than from Action... which is more "crisp". I find Capral tends to cling and clot more both on the cold saw and end mills.

Just shows Aluminium aint Aluminium.

[InMesh]

I have a local guy on small scale off-cuts and the like cheap if you want a 20mm thick plate and he has cut for someone else ,almost made my whole CNC with those bits ,there is a lot of China Aluminium that machines crappy found that out ..

[RCaffin]

A lot of Australian suppliers are still living in the land of denial. They only want to sell by the truck load, and they want a 100% mark-up. And their delivery charges are out of sight. As bad as many Alibaba State Factory vendors, who only want to sell by the container load.

In some cases I have done better by buying aluminium and titanium from Chinese vendors on ebay. To be sure, they are no cheaper by the kg, but they will sell me 1 m of rod rather than having an MOQ of 4 off 6 m lengths, and they include postage in their prices. I have (so far) been lucky perhaps in picking my vendors and had 6060, 6061 and 2011 Al seemingly to spec. Plate too: I can buy bits 300 mm x 300 mm rather than having to buy full sheets.

While some Couriers (like Fastway) are frauds imho, the postman always delivers. Fastway seem to dither for a week, then pass the parcel to APO. 'Signature on delivery'? You jest.

Oh well, I am sure there are more dodgy vendors out there.

Cheers

[jatt]

Buy a fair bit from Direct Aluminium, mainly cause they have a local branch. Buy mainly sail track extrusion for caravan work. On occasion some stuff for trucks.
HQ is in Geelong. Also have branches elsewhere: Melb, Ingleburn, Loganhome, Adelaide.
How do their prices compare - dunno
Can get offcuts, but need to do your homework, as in vs buying the whole length.


Also buy from Capral, again cause their convenient when we do drop-offs in Campbellfield (caravan Mecca in Vic). Stuff I cant get from Direct Ally.
Laverton Nth trade centre has been a happy hunting ground for offcuts in the past.

[rodw]

Even on account they are expensive as.

A lot of Australian suppliers are still living in the land of denial. They only want to sell by the truck load, and they want a 100% mark-up. And their delivery charges are out of sight. As bad as many Alibaba State Factory vendors, who only want to sell by the container load.

In some cases I have done better by buying aluminium and titanium from Chinese vendors on ebay. To be sure, they are no cheaper by the kg, but they will sell me 1 m of rod rather than having an MOQ of 4 off 6 m lengths, and they include postage in their prices. I have (so far) been lucky perhaps in picking my vendors and had 6060, 6061 and 2011 Al seemingly to spec. Plate too: I can buy bits 300 mm x 300 mm rather than having to buy full sheets.

While some Couriers (like Fastway) are frauds imho, the postman always delivers. Fastway seem to dither for a week, then pass the parcel to APO. 'Signature on delivery'? You jest.

Oh well, I am sure there are more dodgy vendors out there.

Cheers

Well I've never found that to be a problem with Action Aluminium and I've always found their prices quite reasonable. And yes I do have a rarely used account with them. Heck on my last visit, I found they had moved ( 2 doors down) and that they had been there for 5 months which says how often I use said account. It would be nice if they carried some 7000 series ally. But if I want half a dozen pieces cut to 52mm they do it happily for me. Last week I bought 1 m of 6mm x 60mm flat bar and it only cost $6.57, Sure mild steel is cheaper but I have to buy it by the length..