584,854 active members*
4,245 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
Results 1 to 15 of 15
  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    18

    Where to buy materials?

    Where are you guys buying your materials? I bought some stuff at McMaster-Carr, but it seems expensive. I want to buy aluminum blocks, but a 2" cube costs $31. That just seems like a lot of money.

    Any cheaper places?

    thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Posts
    550
    Quote Originally Posted by Chevy-SS View Post
    Where are you guys buying your materials? I bought some stuff at McMaster-Carr, but it seems expensive. I want to buy aluminum blocks, but a 2" cube costs $31. That just seems like a lot of money.

    Any cheaper places?

    thanks
    Well first thing don't buy 2 inches of it. Three feet of 2x2 6061 is 31.00 at Mcmaster Carr.


    Also if you are wanting real small pieces of alum do a search for fortel and you can buy a box of scrap for around the 31.00..
    Or about 2.00 a pound at any scrap yard if you don't need certs...

    Also check out Metal mart and Metal Express.


    Garry

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    46
    also check out ebay.
    I found a seller on there that sells by pound (3.XX) per Lb 8lb minimum.
    Just about any size up to 6" thick.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    355
    Aluminum scrapyards pay about 40 cents a pound, but processed aluminum is in the $3 per pound (and up) range.

    Aluminum weighs roughly .1 lbs per cubic inch, that 8 cubic inch '2 inch cube' contains less than a pound of aluminum! For $31 dollars???

    Check out the seller "Speedymetals" on Ebay.

    Price and shipping are reasonable.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    236

    material

    Check with other members. I know I sometimes have drops from different jobs if you are only looking for small pieces.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    1136
    if there is any industry around you, they've got be getting there mro stuff from somewhere. if you are at all urban, industry buys metal from service centres. now some only sell to you if you're making dash assemblies for GM, but there are other smaller ones who specialize in supplying mro quantities. they are perfectly used to selling a foot of this or 6" of that, whether to a hobbyist or the maintenance guy at the gm dash supplier.

    my fav in toronto is http://www.onesourcemetal.com/index.html. They'll source and bring in whatever you need.

    a similar concept covering more geography is
    http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/

  7. #7
    If you can buy in quantity over 50 parts, Yarde Metals is great.

    I have aluminum bar cold cut (they call it accu-cut) to +/- .005"

    -Jeff

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    424
    We buy our MRO stuff from a local machine shop in standard sizes, they buy in bulk its cheaper for everyone. Odd off and test pieces we get from from mcmaster. I buy my personal stuff mostly from metals express, or speedy metal, but i Have both local so I don't need to ship normally. Buy in length, the more often you cut it the more it goes up, so if you need to make 50 2" pieces buy 10'. If you don't have one its time for a cheap band saw or sawzall.

    chris


    edit: I check the price you had above for 6061 2" sq cut at 2" is 11.73($5.85 per inch) at 120" its 208 ($1.75 per inch). They have a $5 handling charge also.
    www.metalexpress.net watch sometimes they are not the lowest prices, and the prices quoted online are not those if you call them in.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    2502
    Lots of suppliers on my links page here:

    http://www.thewarfields.com/cnccookb...sourcesSup.htm

    I've used Speedy Metals, Online Metals, and Metal Express. Recently I came across Sands Machine, which seemed to have some amazing prices on aluminum. I haven't tried them, and you'd need a means to cut the pieces to size, but worth a look.

    Best,

    BW

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    127
    If I need bar stock, I usually wait until Enco offers free shipping on orders more than 200 dollars (which is fairly common) and order a whole bunch of it. If I need a pre cut small piece of stock (a few inches of pipe) I usually order it from Alro Metals. If I need an uncommon material, I usually buy from McMaster.

    www.useenco.com
    www.asapsource.com

    -Matt

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    246
    I need a wide variaty of materials, 6061 alum, alumec 89, 316ss, nitronic 50, tuffmet, 4140, p20, h13 and so on. It is usually only a small amount at a time.

    I have about 5 or 6 steel and alloy suppliers I deal with locally and a couple out of provence, I get prices from at least 3 places before I order anything at all. Some places will charge you more than double for a certain thing, but give you a killer deal on others. If they cant source what you need, they can lead you to a different supplier that might help.

    I deal with encore, integris, new west metals, castle metels, etc, etc,. Just check your local yellow pages for steel or aluminum sales, most places do have off cut pieces for a great deal you just have to ask.

    I only deal with metal supermarkets if I need it fast, they are always double what I can get it for elsewere.
    Live free or die

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    49

    Price comparison of several low price online metal suppliers.

    This is just to give you an idea of the price difference between these suppliers. The reason I chose 2.25" square bar 6061 aluminum is because it was what I was shopping for at the time. It may not be a good representation when considering other sizes/alloys or with more complex orders. This also does not account for cutting fees or other fees which might have an effect on some orders.

    Industrial Metal Sales seems to have a stepped price level shipping categorization with large weight ranges between each step. So if you max out the weight in a given shipping price category, you will get the best deal. Also, the shipping seems to top out at $39.53, so if you order 10x or 100x 72" lengths it still costs $39.53 for shipping. If you max out your shipping bracket, Industrial Metal Sales has the best price otherwise it shuffles the lowest price position with Pierce Metals on the smaller orders. Pierce Metals is cheaper than Online Metals on smaller orders, but Online Metals is cheaper than Pierce Metals on larger orders. And that leaves Speedy Metals as the most expensive of the four. I would have included Metals Depot in this comparison, but they didn't have 2.25" square bar. Their prices seem as high or higher than Speedy Metals anyway. 48" of 2" square bar costs $123.27 after shipping and 48" of 2.5" costs $224.80 at Metals Depot.


    6061 Aluminum Square Bar 2.25" x 2.25" x 12"

    Industrial Metal Sales -
    $14.88 + $12.99(shipping) = $27.87

    Pierce Metals - Online Metal Supply -
    $18.49 + $9.40(shipping) = $27.89

    Online Metals -
    $25.84 + $11.23(shipping) = $37.07 - price reflects 5%
    discount for registering.

    Speedy Metals -
    $28.61 + $13.60(shipping) = $42.21


    6061 Aluminum Square Bar 2.25" x 2.25" x 24"

    Industrial Metal Sales -
    $29.76 + $22.99(shipping) = $52.75

    Pierce Metals - Online Metal Supply -
    $36.98 + $11.30(shipping) = $48.28

    Online Metals -
    $49.61 + $12.34(shipping) = $61.95 - price reflects 5%
    discount for registering.

    Speedy Metals -
    $55.88 + $16.00(shipping) = $71.88


    6061 Aluminum Square Bar 2.25" x 2.25" x 48"

    Industrial Metal Sales -
    $59.52 + $39.53(shipping) = $99.05

    Pierce Metals - Online Metal Supply -
    $73.95 + $17.53(shipping) = $91.48

    Online Metals -
    $82.69 + $16.33(shipping) = $99.02 - price reflects 5%
    discount for registering.

    Speedy Metals -
    $109.61 + $22.90(shipping) = $132.51


    6061 Aluminum Square Bar 2.25" x 2.25" x 72"

    Industrial Metal Sales -
    $89.20 + $39.53(shipping) = $128.73

    Pierce Metals - Online Metal Supply -
    $110.94 + $24.89(shipping) = $135.83 - They do not list
    72" length on their site. This is for three 24" lengths.

    Online Metals -
    $108.69 + $26.03(shipping) = $134.72 - price reflects 5%
    discount for registering.

    Speedy Metals -
    $161.20 + $36.99(shipping) = $198.19


    6061 Aluminum Square Bar 2.25" x 2.25" x 96"

    Industrial Metal Sales -
    $119.04 + $39.53(shipping) = $158.57 - They do not list
    96" length on their site. This is for two 48" lengths.

    Pierce Metals - Online Metal Supply -
    $147.90 + $29.51(shipping) = $177.41 - They do not list
    96" length on their site. This is for two 48" lengths.

    Online Metals -
    $137.09 + $30.70(shipping) = $167.79 - price reflects 5%
    discount for registering.

    Speedy Metals -
    $219.22 + $35.46(shipping) = $254.68 - They do not list
    96" length on their site. This is for two 48" lengths.


    Shipping is based on my location in Utah and may be different for you. Prices are accurate as of Dec. 11, 2008. Sorry for any typos or omissions.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    49
    Quote Originally Posted by ryanhathy View Post
    Online Metals -
    $108.69 + $26.03(shipping) = $134.72 - price reflects 5%
    discount for registering.
    Quote Originally Posted by ryanhathy View Post
    Online Metals -
    $137.09 + $30.70(shipping) = $167.79 - price reflects 5%
    discount for registering.
    I made a little mistake. I didn't realize that Online Metals gives a 10% discount for orders over $100. I guess this discount is a substitution for the registration discount and not in addition to it. The numbers above already reflect the 10% discount. The only thing wrong is the statement about the 5% discount. Although prices could have changed since the last time I checked.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    3
    If you are around the Denver Metro area, I can recommend Alreco around Brighton as a good source for aluminum. Bob is very helpful.

    John

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2023
    Posts
    4

    Re: Where to buy materials?

    Kcm Special Steel Co., Ltd is Manufacturer & Supplier of Stainless Steel Pipe and Tube and Fittings ( elbow, tee, Reducer, Cap, Cross, Flange ) in China wenzhou city
    1. Material: 201, 202, 301, 304, 304L, 310S, 316, 316L, 316Ti, 317, 317L, 321, 347,904L Duplex SS, S31803 / 2205, S32750 / 2507 , S32760 Monel400 Inconel600 Incoloy800 Alloy20 Alloy28 Nickel Alloy. Welded Seamless Pipe Supplier Manufacturer
    2. Product specification: OD 2 - 1600mm x WT0.8 - 60 mm Square & rectangular.
    3. Executive standard: Astm A312m, Astm A269, Astm A213, Astm A790, Astm A789, Astm A815, ANsi B16.9, Ansi B16.28, ANSI B16.11, Jis B2311, Jis B2312, Jis B2313, Din2605, Din 2606, Din 2615, Astm A511, Astm A554, Jis G3463, Jis3446, Jis3448, Jis3459, Din17456, Din17458, Din2462, GB14975, Gb14976, Gb13296

    We also have large qty of ready stock, it can support ur urgent project.
    Contact : Mr. Bob Lee
    mob & whatsapp : + 86 - 13758498349
    web : www.duplexstainlesssteelpipes.com
    304L Stainless steel pipe https://www.duplexstainlesssteelpipe...ss-steel-pipe/
    316L Stainless steel https://www.duplexstainlesssteelpipe...ss-steel-pipe/
    Duplex 2205 Stainless Steel https://www.duplexstainlesssteelpipe...ss-steel-pipe/
    Super Duplex 2507 Stainless Steel https://www.duplexstainlesssteelpipe...ss-steel-pipe/

Similar Threads

  1. Where do you get materials... cheap?
    By Sporqster in forum MetalWork Discussion
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 02-17-2023, 10:21 AM
  2. materials
    By ironDigit in forum Material Machining Solutions
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 06-24-2006, 02:43 PM
  3. Preview Materials
    By dighsx in forum Vectric
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-07-2005, 10:44 PM
  4. Materials
    By ryanduc in forum Uncategorised MetalWorking Machines
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 10-09-2004, 07:12 PM
  5. materials
    By broncosis in forum DIY CNC Router Table Machines
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 06-13-2004, 01:23 AM

Posting Permissions

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