Hi All - In shopping around for 1/4" 6061 T6 Aluminum plate, I have found: Midwest Steel & Aluminum ~ 8" x 8" @ $7.67 & 12" x 12" @ $11.93 OnlineMetals ~ 8" x 8" @ $9.93 & 12" x 12" @ $30.88 Amazon ~ 8" x 8" @ $19.90 (free ship) & 12" x 12" @ $23.99 (free ship) Please add to the list. Thanks - Brad www.UltiBots.com ================== CB3030 CNC Dewalt 611 Elaire 1/8" Collet 1/8" Single Flute Carbide End Mill Workflow = Fusion 360 & Cam > Chilipeppr > Tinyg Feeds & Speeds For 6.5mm 6061 T6 Aluminum Plate - All operations = Conventional Milling - Cutting = 25"/min (635mm/min), Ramp = 10"/min (254mm/min), Plunge = 8"/min (203.2mm/min) - Adaptive (bearing recess) = .4mm multiple depths, 0.2 deg ramp - Contour cut (bearing finish) = 0.1mm stepover finish and repeat @ 254mm/min - Bore cut (screw holes) = 0.25mm pitch, 0.1mm finish pass and repeat - Contour cut (perimeter) = 0.05 deg ramp angle, 0.1mm finish and repeat @ 254mm/min - Pocket cut (not used) = 0.25mm rough & 0.2mm finish, 3mm max stepover
I go to a local metal dealer. Doesn't matter what I buy, it is $3 / pound. it costs a couple bucks per cut, but i have been lucky and have found cut offs that were close to what i needed. Cheaper than online for me. Of course, not everyone has access to a local dealer but I would check your local area if possible. You may find some good deals.
I use online metals whenever possible and not on a time crunch. They have many different products available besides aluminum including a nice selection of plastics. They package everything very well for shipping as well. Plus they have mystery boxes called proto boxes that u can order by weight with random pieces in it. Got some nice bits a couple times doing that.
@Jimmybuckets - didn't think of eBay. @Glarc - good idea. I think there is a metal dealer in the next town. @dirtdemon - I have purchased 2X with Online Metals. Then I saw the prices of Midwest Steel for 12x12. No comparison.
