Source For Project Metal?

I'm looking for a new source for project metal, specifically aluminum.

I was using OnlineMetals.com but their metal prices are high and their shipping is very uncompetitive. For one project I had to verify the shipping price with a customer service representative. It was so high I thought it must be wrong. Even when I get their 20% email discount the prices are still high.

I happened on MidwestSteelSupply.com today while searching for 3/8" plate aluminum. They beat a quote from a local supplier by a large margin ($400 vs $140), even with a reasonable shipping estimate of $40.

I've used a second local supplier, but they're even more expensive and further away.

Anybody have any better online supplier that they've used?

McMaster-Carr?

snoobler said:

McMaster-Carr?

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Their aluminum sheet isn't large enough. I need 27"x48" and their largest is 24"x24". Even at that size, they are more than $100 more than my overpriced local source. Until you suggested them, I didn't know that McMaster-Carr carried project metal. Thanks for the heads up!

I like building my frames out of unistruts. I found a local guy on Craigslist that had a pile in his back yard about 4' high, selling them for 5$ each just to get rid of them. Fool that I am, I just bought what I needed and left.

Now, 4 additional arrays later, I'm paying retail at Home Depot. Shame!

Maybe you'll have some luck searching on your local Craigslist/Greensheet sites?

I have been checking Craigslist and NextDoor for a few items. I've hoping to find an old table saw that I could use as a welding table, but even ones without motors aren't cheap. I have yet to come across a pile of metal for cheap.

Check out machine shops in your area. That's where I get my metal. A lot of them will sell metal to the public.

Local metal scrap yards are full of materials, dirt cheap and fun to visit, lots of cool stuff. It's where I get copper bus bar, Joe.

Joe BoyKey said:

Local metal scrap yards are full of materials, dirt cheap and fun to visit, lots of cool stuff. It's where I get copper bus bar, Joe.

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Oddly enough, the scrap yard is just down the street from one of my local suppliers. I picked up three slabs of 3/4" steel from the local yard's drop rack this week for a welding table. The snow was coming down and the streets were starting to get icy, so I was focused on getting home.

What about local wholesalers? You are too far from me to refer you to my main go to. But I found Ericson in Denver. Ryerson is there. Found Alcam as well. If you can pick-up, that will help.

Call them and see. Alro is one of our main suppliers. They have a storefront and can ship.

@HRTKD , wish you were in the Minneapolis area. We have a metal shop called Coremark Metals. I dont know if I have ever been to a store that I like more. Staff is extremely friendly and knowledgable. Prices are competitive. They will cut stuff and do small/simple fabrication for you. I believe they have a shop in Dallas as well, but I see you are near Denver. Anyway, I'm sure Denver has some local metal shops? Might be worth the drive if you are buying larger pieces.

Gosh I love that store...