This question is more geared towards hobbyists and small volume producers. Where do you buy your metal for your machining projects?
Looking for some affordable alternatives..
"Affordable" - for "revenue" shops of small size just as much as for hobbyist/retiree/R&D folks ..actually means buying
just what you need - in the "right" alloy, to a close to finished size - for a
specific job or project - and ending-up with the very least amount of scrapped parts, chips, or "drops" left-over.
Seriously.
The "apparent" unit cost is higher that way than scrounging old barbells and other scraps, but YOUR scrap rate is less, and you do not end-up looking like a scrapyard in yer own limited space with a growing pile of cash tied-up in "so called stock".. that may be mostly salvaged junk in unknown alloys that is ony THERE because you did NOT have a use for it, still do not have a use - and may never.
Now..... where to get the "just in time" goods for operating off a "lean" stockpile?
- Recyclers, I've gotten a few odds and sods - the Bronzes, mostly - from Moses Glick.
Otherwise, for "new" metals, given I do not need "certifications". At all.
-- Online Metals
-- Speedy Metals
-- Allmetals
-- Quality metals
And others, depending on speciality.
Perforated stainless? Thick shiney-wood Alloy bed plates? Blanchard-ground rectangles and rounds? Tee-slot extrusions? Thompson shafting?
It's all "out there" AND - critical need -"cut to order" - not a twin-screw Peterbilt with 50 tons of bar right off the mill "minimum order" ..as a service to fabicators, repair shops, and such if you but search.
Basically
whomever online has a decently long history and a good reputation.
- Then McMaster-Carr. Or even MMC "first" if time is critical.
Locally it's "too difficult" where I perch.
Metro DC's only "Heavy Industry" is damned lies and other political bullshit. No more "metal" in those than there is nutritional value.
EVERYTHING of any
value has to be shipped-in.
Florida? Prolly much the same, just for dfferent reasons.
2CW
