I need a ~4"x6"x3/8" slab/plate of something that is rigid, supports
tensile and sheer loads, is "millable" (to some limited extent)
and reasonably lightweight (at that size, I think almost anything
would satisfy that criteria).

Not wood.

Choices that come to mind are aluminum and lexan (or other plastic).

Finding something 3/8" thick might be a problem. But, perhaps I could
"laminate" thinner pieces together (?).

I'll see if I have any stycast left in the garage as that might be
the quickest fix (though probably the messiest!). And, I'll plan on
a stop at the metal store Tuesday to see if they have a scrap of
something that might suffice...

On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 12:22:41 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

I need a ~4"x6"x3/8" slab/plate of something that is rigid, supports
tensile and sheer loads, is "millable" (to some limited extent)
and reasonably lightweight (at that size, I think almost anything
would satisfy that criteria).

Not wood.

Choices that come to mind are aluminum and lexan (or other plastic).

Finding something 3/8" thick might be a problem. But, perhaps I could
"laminate" thinner pieces together (?).

I'll see if I have any stycast left in the garage as that might be
the quickest fix (though probably the messiest!). And, I'll plan on
a stop at the metal store Tuesday to see if they have a scrap of
something that might suffice...

It sure helps when a poster tells the class what the project is
intended for. Is it double top secret, or what?

On 4/3/16 3:22 PM, Don Y wrote:
I need a ~4"x6"x3/8" slab/plate of something that is rigid, supports
tensile and sheer loads, is "millable" (to some limited extent)
and reasonably lightweight (at that size, I think almost anything
would satisfy that criteria).

Not wood.

Choices that come to mind are aluminum and lexan (or other plastic).

Finding something 3/8" thick might be a problem. But, perhaps I could
"laminate" thinner pieces together (?).

I'll see if I have any stycast left in the garage as that might be
the quickest fix (though probably the messiest!). And, I'll plan on
a stop at the metal store Tuesday to see if they have a scrap of
something that might suffice...

If all else fails:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#8975k426/=11tq69b
4x6x3/8 aluminum $9

On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 12:22:41 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

I need a ~4"x6"x3/8" slab/plate of something that is rigid, supports
tensile and sheer loads, is "millable" (to some limited extent)
and reasonably lightweight (at that size, I think almost anything
would satisfy that criteria).

Not wood.

Choices that come to mind are aluminum and lexan (or other plastic).

Finding something 3/8" thick might be a problem. But, perhaps I could
"laminate" thinner pieces together (?).

I'll see if I have any stycast left in the garage as that might be
the quickest fix (though probably the messiest!). And, I'll plan on
a stop at the metal store Tuesday to see if they have a scrap of
something that might suffice...



Phenolic - sometimes scraps are available at Lee Valley store -
but it's not a catalog item. Also seen it at Surplus Store.

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/phenolic-sheet

or perhaps UHMW ..
http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/pag...455,43831&ap=1

John T.



--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---

On 4/3/2016 2:16 PM, Retired wrote:
On 4/3/16 3:22 PM, Don Y wrote:
I need a ~4"x6"x3/8" slab/plate of something that is rigid, supports
tensile and sheer loads, is "millable" (to some limited extent)
and reasonably lightweight (at that size, I think almost anything
would satisfy that criteria).

I'll see if I have any stycast left in the garage as that might be
the quickest fix (though probably the messiest!). And, I'll plan on
a stop at the metal store Tuesday to see if they have a scrap of
something that might suffice...

If all else fails:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#8975k426/=11tq69b
4x6x3/8 aluminum $9

Thanks! Knowing 4" width is reasonably "standard" suggests that I can
get the folks at the metal store to cut me a piece, to length. (It
doesn't look like I have enough stycast for the job frown)

On 4/3/2016 3:06 PM, wrote:

Choices that come to mind are aluminum and lexan (or other plastic).

Finding something 3/8" thick might be a problem. But, perhaps I could
"laminate" thinner pieces together (?).

Phenolic - sometimes scraps are available at Lee Valley store -
but it's not a catalog item. Also seen it at Surplus Store.

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/phenolic-sheet

or perhaps UHMW ..
http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/pag...455,43831&ap=1

Ha! I'm sure I've got some scraps of FR4 that I can probably tease
out of my junk pile! Thanks! Might be a bit messier to machine...

On Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 3:47:01 PM UTC-4, Oren wrote:
On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 12:22:41 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

I need a ~4"x6"x3/8" slab/plate of something that is rigid, supports
tensile and sheer loads, is "millable" (to some limited extent)
and reasonably lightweight (at that size, I think almost anything
would satisfy that criteria).

Not wood.

Choices that come to mind are aluminum and lexan (or other plastic).

Finding something 3/8" thick might be a problem. But, perhaps I could
"laminate" thinner pieces together (?).

I'll see if I have any stycast left in the garage as that might be
the quickest fix (though probably the messiest!). And, I'll plan on
a stop at the metal store Tuesday to see if they have a scrap of
something that might suffice...

It sure helps when a poster tells the class what the project is
intended for. Is it double top secret, or what?

+1

On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 12:22:41 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

I need a ~4"x6"x3/8" slab/plate of something that is rigid, supports
tensile and sheer loads, is "millable" (to some limited extent)
and reasonably lightweight (at that size, I think almost anything
would satisfy that criteria).

Not wood.

Choices that come to mind are aluminum and lexan (or other plastic).

Finding something 3/8" thick might be a problem. But, perhaps I could
"laminate" thinner pieces together (?).

I'll see if I have any stycast left in the garage as that might be
the quickest fix (though probably the messiest!). And, I'll plan on
a stop at the metal store Tuesday to see if they have a scrap of
something that might suffice...

Azek/starboard and stiffen it up with metal angle/channel frame..

On Sun, 3 Apr 2016 15:30:25 -0700 (PDT), trader_4
wrote:

On Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 3:47:01 PM UTC-4, Oren wrote:
On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 12:22:41 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

I need a ~4"x6"x3/8" slab/plate of something that is rigid, supports
tensile and sheer loads, is "millable" (to some limited extent)
and reasonably lightweight (at that size, I think almost anything
would satisfy that criteria).

Not wood.

Choices that come to mind are aluminum and lexan (or other plastic).

Finding something 3/8" thick might be a problem. But, perhaps I could
"laminate" thinner pieces together (?).

I'll see if I have any stycast left in the garage as that might be
the quickest fix (though probably the messiest!). And, I'll plan on
a stop at the metal store Tuesday to see if they have a scrap of
something that might suffice...

It sure helps when a poster tells the class what the project is
intended for. Is it double top secret, or what?

+1

I'm not a mind reader or use a cracked crystal ball.

Don does post a lot of threads with Eg, Eg, Eg, Eg, Eg, Eg, Eg, Eg,
Eg, Eg, Eg, Eg, and throws in Etc. now and then.

Only real thing I know is he lives in Arizina.

Some highly educated are really stupid so we peons are not worthy
enough to ask questions, ask further details so we understand the task
at hand. Maybe his next question will be only for smart people with no
common sense.

On 4/3/2016 4:04 PM, wrote:
On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 12:22:41 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

I need a ~4"x6"x3/8" slab/plate of something that is rigid, supports
tensile and sheer loads, is "millable" (to some limited extent)
and reasonably lightweight (at that size, I think almost anything
would satisfy that criteria).

Not wood.

Choices that come to mind are aluminum and lexan (or other plastic).

Finding something 3/8" thick might be a problem. But, perhaps I could
"laminate" thinner pieces together (?).

I'll see if I have any stycast left in the garage as that might be
the quickest fix (though probably the messiest!). And, I'll plan on
a stop at the metal store Tuesday to see if they have a scrap of
something that might suffice...

Azek/starboard and stiffen it up with metal angle/channel frame..

I'd have to turn the stiffener *inward* to get a 4x6x3/8" *plate*
(i.e., ALL cross sections should be rectangles)

On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 16:50:46 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

I'd have to turn the stiffener *inward* to get a 4x6x3/8" *plate*
(i.e., ALL cross sections should be rectangles)


Before the November election give us a clue as to what exactly your
project entails. "3/8" thick, rigid slab", leaves we peons clueless.

I can tell one thing. You are not native to Arizona, Yankee.

On 04/03/2016 04:12 PM, Don Y wrote:
Thanks! Knowing 4" width is reasonably "standard" suggests that I can
get the folks at the metal store to cut me a piece, to length. (It
doesn't look like I have enough stycast for the job frown)

Be careful of the alloy and heat treatment. I was looking for a piece of
similar dimensions to fabricate a bracket and wound up with a chunk of
6061-T6. If you're not looking for a great deal of strength, 1050 or
the other 1000 series alloys are a lot easier to deal with.

On 4/3/2016 8:27 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 04/03/2016 04:12 PM, Don Y wrote:
Thanks! Knowing 4" width is reasonably "standard" suggests that I can
get the folks at the metal store to cut me a piece, to length. (It
doesn't look like I have enough stycast for the job frown)

Be careful of the alloy and heat treatment. I was looking for a piece of
similar dimensions to fabricate a bracket and wound up with a chunk of
6061-T6. If you're not looking for a great deal of strength, 1050 or the other
1000 series alloys are a lot easier to deal with.

I'll probably have very little choice as I'll be digging through the
"scrap" room. If I want to pick and choose "fresh stock", I'll have
to buy it in larger pieces, at higher rates ($/lb) and pay to have it cut
to my desired size.

[In the scrap room, a bit of patience will often turn up a more suitable
size and at half the price per pound.]

On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 20:55:27 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

On 4/3/2016 8:27 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 04/03/2016 04:12 PM, Don Y wrote:
Thanks! Knowing 4" width is reasonably "standard" suggests that I can
get the folks at the metal store to cut me a piece, to length. (It
doesn't look like I have enough stycast for the job frown)

Be careful of the alloy and heat treatment. I was looking for a piece of
similar dimensions to fabricate a bracket and wound up with a chunk of
6061-T6. If you're not looking for a great deal of strength, 1050 or the other
1000 series alloys are a lot easier to deal with.

I'll probably have very little choice as I'll be digging through the
"scrap" room. If I want to pick and choose "fresh stock", I'll have
to buy it in larger pieces, at higher rates ($/lb) and pay to have it cut
to my desired size.

[In the scrap room, a bit of patience will often turn up a more suitable
size and at half the price per pound.]

If you are doing that, start at the metal recycler. If you can catch
the guy going "IN" it is really cheap but you may have to get pretty
lucky or just spend a lot of time waiting.
You still pay scrap price plus a little from the scrap yard.

On 4/3/2016 9:17 PM, wrote:
On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 20:55:27 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

On 4/3/2016 8:27 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 04/03/2016 04:12 PM, Don Y wrote:
Thanks! Knowing 4" width is reasonably "standard" suggests that I can
get the folks at the metal store to cut me a piece, to length. (It
doesn't look like I have enough stycast for the job frown)

Be careful of the alloy and heat treatment. I was looking for a piece of
similar dimensions to fabricate a bracket and wound up with a chunk of
6061-T6. If you're not looking for a great deal of strength, 1050 or the other
1000 series alloys are a lot easier to deal with.

I'll probably have very little choice as I'll be digging through the
"scrap" room. If I want to pick and choose "fresh stock", I'll have
to buy it in larger pieces, at higher rates ($/lb) and pay to have it cut
to my desired size.

[In the scrap room, a bit of patience will often turn up a more suitable
size and at half the price per pound.]

If you are doing that, start at the metal recycler. If you can catch
the guy going "IN" it is really cheap but you may have to get pretty
lucky or just spend a lot of time waiting.
You still pay scrap price plus a little from the scrap yard.

The scrap room is full of the "remnants" from other orders. E.g., someone
buys 16 ft off a 20' length of CRS and the 4 "extra" feet get stashed in
the scrap room at a greatly reduced price. It's not "recycled" material
but, rather, material that didn't make it out with the rest of the purchased
lot.

But, it's not sorted, etc. I.e., you have to examine each piece to
determine its dimensions. Then, carry it to the scale to guesstimate its
price.

With careful planning, I've been able to purchase lots of "new" stock in
odd sizes/lengths -- which is great cuz I can't haul regular size lengths
without borrowing a truck! :

On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 21:21:43 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

On 4/3/2016 9:17 PM, wrote:
On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 20:55:27 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

On 4/3/2016 8:27 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 04/03/2016 04:12 PM, Don Y wrote:
Thanks! Knowing 4" width is reasonably "standard" suggests that I can
get the folks at the metal store to cut me a piece, to length. (It
doesn't look like I have enough stycast for the job frown)

Be careful of the alloy and heat treatment. I was looking for a piece of
similar dimensions to fabricate a bracket and wound up with a chunk of
6061-T6. If you're not looking for a great deal of strength, 1050 or the other
1000 series alloys are a lot easier to deal with.

I'll probably have very little choice as I'll be digging through the
"scrap" room. If I want to pick and choose "fresh stock", I'll have
to buy it in larger pieces, at higher rates ($/lb) and pay to have it cut
to my desired size.

[In the scrap room, a bit of patience will often turn up a more suitable
size and at half the price per pound.]

If you are doing that, start at the metal recycler. If you can catch
the guy going "IN" it is really cheap but you may have to get pretty
lucky or just spend a lot of time waiting.
You still pay scrap price plus a little from the scrap yard.

The scrap room is full of the "remnants" from other orders. E.g., someone
buys 16 ft off a 20' length of CRS and the 4 "extra" feet get stashed in
the scrap room at a greatly reduced price. It's not "recycled" material
but, rather, material that didn't make it out with the rest of the purchased
lot.

But, it's not sorted, etc. I.e., you have to examine each piece to
determine its dimensions. Then, carry it to the scale to guesstimate its
price.

With careful planning, I've been able to purchase lots of "new" stock in
odd sizes/lengths -- which is great cuz I can't haul regular size lengths
without borrowing a truck! :

I guess you are just lucky there. Most fabricators around here
consider any piece of metal in their shop "stock" not "scrap" and they
pretty much charge retail for it.

On 4/3/2016 9:34 PM, wrote:
On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 21:21:43 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

The scrap room is full of the "remnants" from other orders. E.g., someone
buys 16 ft off a 20' length of CRS and the 4 "extra" feet get stashed in
the scrap room at a greatly reduced price. It's not "recycled" material
but, rather, material that didn't make it out with the rest of the purchased
lot.

But, it's not sorted, etc. I.e., you have to examine each piece to
determine its dimensions. Then, carry it to the scale to guesstimate its
price.

With careful planning, I've been able to purchase lots of "new" stock in
odd sizes/lengths -- which is great cuz I can't haul regular size lengths
without borrowing a truck! :

I guess you are just lucky there. Most fabricators around here
consider any piece of metal in their shop "stock" not "scrap" and they
pretty much charge retail for it.

The scrap room is stuff they don't expect to sell to "business customers".
Sort of like buying a 3 ft 2x4 at a lumber yard -- it's not worth keeping
it around (at full price) when a customer could just come in and *buy*
the 3.5 ft that he really needs (out of an 8 ft'er).

I know things like copper scraps they pitch to "artists" who are looking
for small pieces of copper to fashion into whatever little tchotchke.
(A builder is unlikely to buy JUST 1 sq ft of copper flashing, etc.)

The downside is you never know what you can find, there.

I needed four 7-ft lengths of 3/4x3/8 CRS plus two 6-ft lengths of the same.
The guy behind the counter told me I could buy the 7 ft lengths and wait
for the 6 ft scraps (20-2*7=6) to find their way into the scrap room -- where
I could save a few dollars on the price.

I thanked him for the suggestion but told him that I didn't need to pinch
pennies *that* much! : So, he N/C'd the cuts and cleaned the oil off the
stock so it wouldn't make a mess in the car. We both walked away from the
transaction happy.

On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 22:18:43 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

On 4/3/2016 9:34 PM, wrote:
On Sun, 03 Apr 2016 21:21:43 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

The scrap room is full of the "remnants" from other orders. E.g., someone
buys 16 ft off a 20' length of CRS and the 4 "extra" feet get stashed in
the scrap room at a greatly reduced price. It's not "recycled" material
but, rather, material that didn't make it out with the rest of the purchased
lot.

But, it's not sorted, etc. I.e., you have to examine each piece to
determine its dimensions. Then, carry it to the scale to guesstimate its
price.

With careful planning, I've been able to purchase lots of "new" stock in
odd sizes/lengths -- which is great cuz I can't haul regular size lengths
without borrowing a truck! :

I guess you are just lucky there. Most fabricators around here
consider any piece of metal in their shop "stock" not "scrap" and they
pretty much charge retail for it.

The scrap room is stuff they don't expect to sell to "business customers".
Sort of like buying a 3 ft 2x4 at a lumber yard -- it's not worth keeping
it around (at full price) when a customer could just come in and *buy*
the 3.5 ft that he really needs (out of an 8 ft'er).
The fabricators say, if they can make something they can sell out of
it, it isn't "scrap".
Scrap to them is little bits of metal that is not really useful for
anything

On 4/3/2016 10:28 PM, wrote:
The scrap room is stuff they don't expect to sell to "business customers".
Sort of like buying a 3 ft 2x4 at a lumber yard -- it's not worth keeping
it around (at full price) when a customer could just come in and *buy*
the 3.5 ft that he really needs (out of an 8 ft'er).
The fabricators say, if they can make something they can sell out of
it, it isn't "scrap".
Scrap to them is little bits of metal that is not really useful for
anything

They aren't a fabricator. They just sell *metal*. It's like a lumber yard.
The "business customers" would be the ones fabricating items out of their
stock.

My buying 40 linear feet of CRS is more a nuisance to them than a "sale".
I'm the only "car" in the parking lot full of trucks and flatbeds! :

This is pretty common, here -- esp in places that deal with tradesmen.
If you're respectful and mindful of the fact that they have other,
"more important" customers, they'll usually treat you well and steer you
in the right direction. It's no skin off their backs...

On 04/03/2016 11:18 PM, Don Y wrote:
I know things like copper scraps they pitch to "artists" who are looking
for small pieces of copper to fashion into whatever little tchotchke.
(A builder is unlikely to buy JUST 1 sq ft of copper flashing, etc.)

I worked for a steel distributor and a woman would come in very now and
then to scrounge around the plate shears and cutting tables for
sculpture materials. Anything she could drag out the door was hers. The
more the better since it was just trash that had to be picked up sooner
or later.

I hit the same thing at a local glass shop. I wanted a piece of 1/4"
plate glass about the size of a sheet of wet & dry paper for a scary
sharp setup. Since I didn't want a specific dimension he fished out a
scrap that was close, ground the edges, and wouldn't take money for it.

One man's trash...

On 4/4/2016 6:40 AM, rbowman wrote:
On 04/03/2016 11:18 PM, Don Y wrote:
I know things like copper scraps they pitch to "artists" who are looking
for small pieces of copper to fashion into whatever little tchotchke.
(A builder is unlikely to buy JUST 1 sq ft of copper flashing, etc.)

I worked for a steel distributor and a woman would come in very now and then to
scrounge around the plate shears and cutting tables for sculpture materials.
Anything she could drag out the door was hers. The more the better since it was
just trash that had to be picked up sooner or later.

I hit the same thing at a local glass shop. I wanted a piece of 1/4" plate
glass about the size of a sheet of wet & dry paper for a scary sharp setup.
Since I didn't want a specific dimension he fished out a scrap that was close,
ground the edges, and wouldn't take money for it.

One man's trash...

I think -- if it's not actually *costing* something -- most folks are
more than happy to be helpful, share their knowledge/labors, etc.
(lawyers being a exception to this rule, IME)

A buddy came to town to visit one of his customers. I tagged along as
it would give me a chance to see my buddy's product (for the first time)
and learn about another "industry" (perpetually curious).

At the customer's shop, I sort of hung back just soaking things in,
looking at all the odd bits of equipment and trying to make sense out of
what folks were doing. Eventually started asking questions as it was
*way* too "foreign" for my past experiences.

Started talking to the owner with my buddy filling in details -- esp
those that pertained to how his product "fit" into their operation.

One question led to another -- then 462 more... soon, my buddy was
just an observer as his customer and I got deeper into specifics about
what they were doing, how it worked, *why* it worked, its value to
*their* customers, etc. Along the way, getting a basic lecture in
the science involved to make sense of the "how and why".

Delightful afternoon! I learned something -- a whole *bunch* of things!

Got back in the car to head out for lunch and my buddy just blurted out:
"I can't believe he told you all of that! He told you things that he's
never told *me*!"

I was surprised and confused by his excitement: "Why? I just asked a
few questions..." (I have an interesting concept of "a few" : )

"Don, you *do* realize that his business is not supposed to exist?
That what he does is not supposed to happen?"

"Huh? But everything he said made perfect sense. And, obviously, he's
doing a very *good*/brisk business! There's nothing ILLEGAL in what
he is doing -- nor immoral! And the prices he's commanding -- and
*getting*! -- suggest folks are eager to be customers... And, you are
obviously HAPPY to have *him* as a customer..."

I the got a lecture on the rest of the industry to put this into context;
explain why he's "not supposed to exist", etc.

(I am being deliberately vague out of deference to my friend, his
customer and their industry)

"Oh, so all of those times he jokingly said, 'but you didn't see this'
he actually MEANT it? I.e., what I've learned was given with the
understanding that it 'goes no further'??"

"Yes. And he was also making it clear to *me* that *I* didn't see it, either.
And I shouldn't share anything that I saw with any of my other customers;
esp as it might cost him his competitive advantage!"

Here's a case of a guy who didn't have to tell me -- or my friend -- ANYTHING.
Yet, enjoyed sharing details of his business, skills he'd developed over
the years, his *time*, etc. And, in the case of myself, never expecting to
get anything *back* for it!

Like the guy in the metal shop telling me to wait for the 6 ft "scrap ends"
of those CRS bars to make their way to the scrap room so I could buy them at
a discount (instead of paying full price)!

OTOH, ask a lawyer a "simple question" and he'll quickly want to start the
clock! As if he's afraid answering your question will "cost" him something.

But, that's fine. When he's got a problem with his car, TV, computer, etc.
you can remind him that *you* don't work for free, either -- and suggest
he'll be better off hiring a third party! ;-)

On 4/3/2016 2:16 PM, Retired wrote:
On 4/3/16 3:22 PM, Don Y wrote:
I need a ~4"x6"x3/8" slab/plate of something that is rigid, supports
tensile and sheer loads, is "millable" (to some limited extent)
and reasonably lightweight (at that size, I think almost anything
would satisfy that criteria).

Not wood.

Choices that come to mind are aluminum and lexan (or other plastic).

Finding something 3/8" thick might be a problem. But, perhaps I could
"laminate" thinner pieces together (?).

I'll see if I have any stycast left in the garage as that might be
the quickest fix (though probably the messiest!). And, I'll plan on
a stop at the metal store Tuesday to see if they have a scrap of
something that might suffice...

If all else fails:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#8975k426/=11tq69b
4x6x3/8 aluminum $9

Out of the scrap pile, 4x6x3/8 set me back $2.42 -- incl tax.
I guess I can live with that! ;-)