| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
I was getting ready to mount my new Shindengen regulator from Roadster Cycle last week, when I discovered how hard it was to find small quantities of metal shapes locally. The local building supply and hardware stores seem to have a standardized set of a few pieces of steel and aluminum, which is very limited in sizes and pretty highly priced. None had much close in size to what I needed. I checked McMaster Carr on line, and they had a great selection and reasonable prices. But then I googled thinking I might find an alternative, and I found several recommendations from home hobbyists for Onlinemetals.com. They have just about any shape, material and size you can think of, they'll sell any quantity, and they'll even cut to size for you. I just placed an order for some 1/8" aluminum plate, some aluminum 1" x 3" tubing, and a couple of pieces of 2" x 2" x 1/8" stainless. (The stainless will replace my starting-to-get-rusty steel driving light mounts and I won't even have to do any sawing!) They gave me a coupon for free shipping when I signed up for their mailing list, so the whole order came out to $11 and change. So, anyway, this is my shameless plug for www.onlinemetals.com I'll update when my order gets here. | ||
| Etennuly |
That is cool. Almost like buying custom made brackets. They probably cut it with a shear making for nice edges also. Let us know. For a good variety in our neighborhood Tractor Supply has a great and varied supply of this kind of stuff. Of course you have to pay retail and cut it yourself. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Dammit- I didn't think of Tractor Supply. There's one about 5 miles from me. Oh well, next time. | ||
| Griffmeister |
You could also check your local YP. We have a metal supplier in town that has a "Bargain Barn" with all their cut-offs, overstock and other such items. They will sell anything you find in there for $1 a pound. Weigh it yourself and the scale is even tipped a pound in your favor. Might be worth checking out next time. | ||
| 1313 |
I was looking for some iron bar stock to make something to hang a Buell dealer sign in my garage. I looked on McMaster and what I determined I needed was about 5 bucks and some change per foot. I needed about 6 foot if I recall. It would've ended up being a pricey piece of steel in the end considering shipping. Then my jack of all trades neighbor suggested a nearby truck (as in semi-truck/18 wheeler) supply house/fix it shop. I called 'em up, explained what I needed and they gave me a quote of 5 bucks and some change. Assuming it was per foot and I wouldn't have to pay shipping, I headed there after leaving work early one day. I get there and it was cut with a torch (which my neighbor cleaned up quite quickly), but the total price was 5 bucks and some change - NOT 5 bucks and some change per foot. I'll admit that if I didn't have this local alternative I definitely would've bought off the internet, 1313 | ||
| Ratbuell |
I've always got some flat stock and angle stock in the garage from/for various projects. The local Lowes always has a good selection of steel and aluminum, and no matter how much I "have" to buy (usually 36" minimum)...I always end up using it somewhere, for something, and not having much get thrown out. | ||
| Woodnbow |
I've bought pieces of Aluminum bar stock and Stainless this and that from the Ebay'ers. Yes, you do pay shipping but it's convenient and I don't need to run all over town looking for stuff. I don't have time for that, I'd rather ride or if not that I have to work for a living... | ||
| Ourdee |
I didn't use any extra brackets on the last one I did. Just drilled and tapped the original mounting location on the Uly for 1/4-20 and bolted it on. |
