Good source for plate aluminum? Circle or sqare.

[ambientmind]

I need a 122mm circle of 3/8-1/2" think aluminum plate, or a 5X5" or so square. Anyone have some good sources? Thanks!

 

[Torque1st]

Check your local yellow pages for metal distributors. Shipping will be a big factor in the cost if you can't find it locally. Of course gas to get across town is becoming a significant cost factor nowadays.

If you need aluminum for a heatsink consider just buying a heatsink and modifying as required. Thousands of configurations are available.

If you just need a plate steel is much cheaper.

 

[scott.cr]

The last time I cut a circle like that, I bought 3/8" thick aluminum flat bar stock from onlinemetals.com. It comes rectangular so you'll have to fashion the circle, but not a difficult job on a lathe. That diameter is probably not within the realm of a hole saw though.

 

[precisionworks]

Metals Depot is as cheap as anybody for small quantities ...

http://www.metalsdepot.com/products/alum2.phtml?page=flat&LimAcc= &aident=

 

[mahoney]

Where are you located?

It might be that someone in the area could recommend a metals distributer with a good scrap bin. For example, in the Los Angeles area, Industrial Pipe and Steel in El Monte, and Industrial Metal Supply in Burbank both put large-ish cut-offs in bins by material type and sell them by weight. It's much cheaper than buying "cut to size" and there's usually a piece that will do lurking in the bin.

If you can go with thinner material, old pots made from 1/8" to 1/4" thick aluminium are usually available cheap in the local thrift store.

 

[ambientmind]

Thanks for all the suggestions! looks like some good deals are out there. I live in the Phoenix AZ area, I'm not sure who's out here for scraps.

 

[KC2IXE]

I need a 122mm circle of 3/8-1/2" think aluminum plate, or a 5X5" or so square. Anyone have some good sources? Thanks!

Probably the best way to get that is to ask for a slice off the end of a 5" round bar

 

[guntotin_fool]

Use the yellow pages and the old fashioned phone, My guess is that within 4 calls or less you can find it locally. Call the biggest ad you see for metals supply, ask for city desk, ask the guy for what you want, if he says no, too small, ask who do you sell this stuff to, or who would you think would have it, he will tell you. Its what City Desk does all day long.

 

[gadget_lover]

I have some 1 inch thick alum 5.5 inch rounds. It only weighs 2.5 pounds, so a 1/2 inch thick one should be only a pound and a quarter.

Last time I bought aluminum bar in bulk, it was $3 a pound, $25 minimum.

Dan