I'm looking for a recommendation for an online metal supplier. My needs are quite modest- I have no use for 12 foot long bar stock. Who has the best per-inch pricing?
TIA- Carl
RFR:Online Metal Companies
Nov 25, 2007
7 Replies
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I have only ordered from here once, recently, and am impressed. I got a chunk of aluminum 3.5 x 12 x 14 within 3 or 4 days. There's a company in Michigan that couldn't deliver more common stock in a month, twice.
Randy
I vote for onlinemetals.com - they're a decent outfit.
GWE
Seconded with enthusiasm. I used to work a few blocks from their New Berlin location, was a great source. Only complaint I have is with one chunk of 4140 I got from them which was strongly magnetized, which was a bit of a bitch for chip-clearing and general cleanup.
I buy stuff from McMaster-Carr from time to time. Price may not be the cheapest but service is second to none in my opinion.
Steel and Cast Iron: Peterson Steel, Worcester MA
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Non ferrous materials:
Metal Source, Woburn MA ask for Ed
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Both will sell by the length or by the inch.
Errol Groff
Instructor, Manufacturing Technology H.H. Ellis Technical High School
613 Upper Maple Street Danielson, CT 06239New England Model Engineering Society
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If you don't mind using eBay, I've had good luck buying from
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I usually go with whomever has what I'm looking for on auction in quantities I need for that week. I've only bought mild steel, nothing exotic. --Glenn Lyford
In their library, this document ("Elements") gives a paragraph's description of the effects of various elements when used to alloy steel:
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and this - parameters of materials and their measurement (library document "Definition of Material Testing Methods"):
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Good broad-brush descriptions.
HOWEVER, the site does not have prices! Damn, I hate that. There are about 40 items on their "Products" page - how hard would it be to include the $/lb for each?
Bob
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