CCW 1,298 #1 Posted September 12, 2023 This past spring I fabricated a front bracket to hold a winch and act as a suitcase weight holder. I began my search for the piece of steel I needed at McMaster-Carr and though they are fast and reliable a premium must be paid for their product. I found metalsdepot.com and sourced my need at half the price. This morning I did the same comparison for some 3x3x1/4 aluminum angle I need and again the price is nearly 50% cheaper at metalsdepot.com. 2 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,874 #2 Posted September 12, 2023 shipping is a deal breaker for me. I like metaldepot too. I always check eBay and have found some decent prices there. I have a local guy but he likes bigger orders and no cuts. I try to tag on to an order from him so it is not a special drop. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,343 #3 Posted September 12, 2023 (edited) I have a Metals Supermarket store near me - they used to be about 2/3 the cost of same items delivered from McMaster-Carr, not anymore. As they grew and acquired some very expensive CNC punch machines and CNC Plasma Cutters, they are now on par. Only "bargains" to be found are in the 3 foot or less cut off rack. You buy all their product by the inch, not the pound...... Edited September 13, 2023 by ri702bill 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,637 #4 Posted September 13, 2023 20 hours ago, Joey Small Block said: shipping is a deal breaker for me. Same here. I've done very little fabrication so I haven't had a need to order special pieces online. I am lucky enough to have three good sources here in Southern Maine that I can walk into. Additional sources are always appreciated though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,237 #5 Posted September 13, 2023 (edited) I pretty regularly stop by the Logan Steel Bargain Barn in Meriden, CT. Their “cutoffs and uh-oh” pile has been 75¢ per pound lately and often has small-to-medium sized pieces of 3/16" and ¼” plate. Last week I got two 10 lb pieces of ½” plate that’ll become part of the front weight for the 854. You can never predict what you’ll find there! Indoors they have a plenty of precuts in various sizes and thicknesses in steel and aluminum aimed at hobbyists priced by the pound. Farther in is a full range of rod, tube, and plate. Pricing for cuts is based on tool (shear or bandsaw) and the material. Locally there is a steel fabricator in the next town and I’ve gotten some precut larger pieces there and also been in their scrap bin. Not cheap but very convenient. Edited September 13, 2023 by Handy Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
