Thread: metals source?
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Grunty Grogan
 
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Any recommendations from the group?
Online Metals. They have the best prices I've seen for small
quantities in the Seattle area. And of course they ship the stuff.


I used to use them, but I use a lot of 303 bar stock.
I have since switched to http://www.metalexpress.net
Because they have a better selection of 303 and 416. Had no REAL
complaints with online metals, except that on two large sizes of 303
bar, they started sending this Chinese stuff (So marked) that was
bulged pillow shaped, with a lot of stringers and bad pickle surface
finish, to the extent that I was flycutting .020-.040 a side to clean
it up and square enough to use.
I do this for a business..I simply do not have enough room for a stock
bandsaw so it does pay me to buy it pre-cut. Extra cleanup time is
dollars lost.
The material I am getting from metalexpress is square and flat and
bright. It matters a LOT when the clock is running. If it's a hobby
I suppose it does not.
Prices are comparable between the two places, but with the product I
make, materials costs are a lot less important than time.
If you are buying brass or aluminum or CRS I suppose it does not
matter.