Where can I buy square/rectangular extruded aluminum tubes like this?

[Illum]

pic is Brlux's


Where can I find similar bars like these?
Having seen so many bike light threads I sort of want to try it with my own hands, but I have no idea where to find aluminum bars like this.

I don't recall seeing them in Homedepot, are there any in Lowes?

 

[G1K]

Re: Where can I buy aluminum blocks like this?

I'm pretty sure that is an extruded aluminum tube. You should be able to find them in HD and Lowes, Central Tractor, Ace hardware etc. Also, onlinemetals.com, and McMaster.com are two online sources.

Ryan

 

[Illum]

Re: Where can I buy aluminum blocks like this?

:thanks: I'll check out Lowes when I find a chance

 

[likeguymontag]

Re: Where can I buy aluminum blocks like this?

:thanks: I'll check out Lowes when I find a chance

It's in the "hardware" section near a small selection of sheet metal, bar stock, and angle iron.

 

[precisionworks]

If you can't find what you need locally, Metals Depot is a good source. No minimums, reasonable shipping charges. They usually ship within 48 hours after receipt of the order (every order is custom cut except those for full sticks).

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

 

[Brlux]

That was a long time ago but I either got it from Home Depot or a local shop metal shop.

Good Luck

 

[Rinspeed]

I was going to suggest McMaster-Carr as well.

 

[LukeA]

I was going to suggest McMaster-Carr as well.

McMaster is for those looking for something no one else carries or those with deep pockets.

 

[Rinspeed]

McMaster is for those looking for something no one else carries or those with deep pockets.

I used to think that as well but some of their prices are very competitive and they almost always ship the same day the order is placed.

 

[shinbone]

Speedymetals.com is another one and can cut to length at a slightly higher rate.

We have a Metal Supermarkets here in Oregon, which is a metal supply chain; maybe they have one near you. I'm not sure about minimum purchases, but they cut to length and their selection is better than most home centers.

 

[TranquillityBase]

Wicksaircraft.com, may have what you're looking for.

 

[Mr_Light]

Often you can find scraps and short pieces on EBAY.

 

[Illum]

Wow, quite a bit of resources online:twothumbs

I'll be moving to an apartment of my own soon...and I'm going to try to imitate BrLux's idea of indoor lighting but its going to be more or less AC driven. Building/maintaining a solar arrays beyond my current capacity [and my cash flow as well]

I have plenty of computer heatsinks...but 1 they aren't designed to be mounted to walls and 2 a disorderly pile of various colored heatsinks on the ceiling isn't going to look too well:laughing:

 

[AuroraAlpha]

McMaster is for those looking for something no one else carries or those with deep pockets.

To some extent I agree, its rarely (but sometimes is) the cheapest stuff price wise; however, the value is great. You get what you pay for , and the stuff you get from McMaster is always great quality, you will never been disappointed in what you buy.

For me the big reason I shop there is the speed. I can get stuff delivered within 24 hours most weekdays when using ground shipping. Also you can pickup your order form their warehouse if you live by it, which is an option I don't get from any online metal dealer, saving me lost time and no shipping frees! Great for small stuff where shipping costs a big amount of what your getting.

As far as the OP's question: There is a good chance there are scrap dealers around you, as well as wholesale/metal supplier places. Either one will probably sell you some if you find out where they are, though a metal supplier might not care to sell you anything if you only want 6 inches. If you want to stock up on a bunch of 8 foot bars, then your in business. If you can't find anything locally then you could use McMaster or online metals. Sometimes the best option is eBay. If your not to picky you can find a lot of metals in short lengths for good prices since the people selling them need longer pieces and so they are hopping to get anything over scrap value, or if they are a small facility that doesn't sell their scrap to anyone: anything at all. eBay is a great place to get short lengths of stainless, aluminium, or brass that is otherwise very hard to find, and very expensive in full lengths.

 

[spencer]

I would try a local shop. The welding shop I worked at had a whole rack of Al in the back and they had tons of stuff like what you want. If they didn't have it they could get it from their supplier. Try local.

 

[SafetyBob]

Illum, there is a Metalsupermarket in Tampa. Call them, they should be able to cut to whatever length you want and will have virtually any size you want.

If you are close enough, you could drive in.....

Tampa4731 Transport Drive(813) 241-2276

There you go!!!

They have been really, really good for me in Oklahoma City. Not even close to being cheapest, just availability in whatever size I need right now. Bigger guys are much, much cheaper but who needs 100 feet of that stuff...........

Bob E.

 

[Illum]

Illum, there is a Metalsupermarket in Tampa. Call them, they should be able to cut to whatever length you want and will have virtually any size you want.

120 miles for a couple arm length aluminum extrusions... :thinking:


I called Lowes and the representative says he *thinks* he knows what I'm referring to and they do have them...I'll let you know if they happen to be 8020s:candle: