Where do you guys buy metals?

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

Hey all, I recently transferred to a new position at work that has access to a machine mill and metal lathe. My question is to all the people that do machine work. Where do you get your metals from? I’m looking for some decent suppliers with competitive pricing to buy small amounts of copper/aluminum/stainless, etc… Any recommendations? Maybe one day soon I can have a flashlight of my own design and build. That’s the goal at least!

2

I usually Google suppliers and then ring around to who ever is close. I’m always keeping an eye out for what others are throwing out.

3

Stoner Tools and Raw Materials

aka 6061dude on the big auction site.

Sells the smaller pieces we need for lights.

Really good service and wide selection. Great supplier.

4

I’ve used McMaster-carr and onlinemetals.com. They both have a good selection of material and sizes. Shipping cost can be high for McMaster. With onlinemetals, and maybe also McMaster, you can order small lengths and they will cut the piece to order.

5

You got a link for us? :slight_smile:

6

I don’t buy a lot of metal, but when I do I hit a local Metal Supermarkets. Their online prices are crazy high. I don’t know why, but in store prices are much lower. You can also negotiate with them. They use to have a moto that was something like, “No order is too small”. They have a couple strap barrels. One for aluminum and stainless steel. Another for carbon steels. Anything, from those is sold by the pound. You can get some good deals if you just talk to the folks there. They don’t charge anything to cut pieces to size either.

7

Your profile says south of Atlanta. Not sure if you have them there...look for Alro and ask them about their "drops" or look for a surplus distributor.

I have access to an Alro real close and they have all sorts of bar stock in AL and Cu for very often $1/lb

8

http://www.ebay.com/usr/6061dude?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

Never purchased from him, just went looking myself.

-Michael

ETA:

Thanks for that.

-Michael

9

Thanks for all the suggestions. Time to start buying some material so I can get practicing!

10

:+1: onlinemetals.com. set up and account, get on their mailing list, they send special deals and 20-25% off coupons and codes. HUGE selections of all metals and plastic’s. I like there copper plate sampler pack for $10.00! I buy quite a bit form them and they ship fast to my door in 2-3 days in most cases. I have tried other places and wasn’t happy with and how they shipped, everything I have bought from onlinemetals has been perfect. Once in a great while I get LUCKY at the recycling reclaim center , but his stuff is usually pretty beat up, bent or damaged? Too much work and machining to get what I need from it, even if it was free? :smiley: Order Copper Sample Pack 110 Sheet Online Copper Rods | Custom Lengths | OnlineMetals.com

11

Metal Supermarkets is great if you have a local one. They (mine anyhow) carry steel, aluminum, copper and brass in many shapes. Mine also has a cut offs bin. Actually a few; carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, miscellaneous.

12

There’s actually a couple of those metal supermarkets not too far from me. I say not to far, about 45mins, but maybe worth a trip just to see what they have. I always prefer a brick and mortar store over online so I can actually see what I’m buying in person rather than a few pictures. Especially if they have a cut offs bin!