Metal Plate Sources?
Moderators: Chuck, Mustang380gal, Coordinators, Moderators
- deanimator
- Posts: 7863
- Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:34 pm
- Location: Rocky River
Metal Plate Sources?
Given that optical breadboards are pretty steep in price, and not readily available in this area, I'm exploring the possibility of making my own macro mounting plate.
Does anyone know a reasonable source in NE Ohio for scrap aluminum or steel plates in the vicinity of 1' x 3' x 1/4-1/2"?
I'm going to have to drill and tap my own 1/4"-20 accessory mounting holes on somebody else's drillpress, but it's still cheaper than a legit breadboard. They run upwards of $300 on the low side.
Does anyone know a reasonable source in NE Ohio for scrap aluminum or steel plates in the vicinity of 1' x 3' x 1/4-1/2"?
I'm going to have to drill and tap my own 1/4"-20 accessory mounting holes on somebody else's drillpress, but it's still cheaper than a legit breadboard. They run upwards of $300 on the low side.
Life comes at you fast. Be prepared to shoot it in the head when it does.
-
- OFCC Patron Member
- Posts: 780
- Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:38 am
- Location: Medina
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
PM sent.
"The right to keep and bear arms is rooted in both self-defense and insurance against government’s propensity toward tyranny. The right pre-existed the Constitution. Thus, the Second Amendment is not its source. The right to keep and bear arms is natural and inalienable; the Second Amendment protects it, and Congress has no legitimate power to restrict it." - Senator John Cornyn (R., Tex.), as reported in the National Review on July 4, 2016
Burma Shave
Burma Shave
- deanimator
- Posts: 7863
- Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:34 pm
- Location: Rocky River
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
Here's a drawing. In truth, I don't need that many drilled and tapped holes, probably just three lines of them along the long axis.gilly32 wrote:PM sent.
Life comes at you fast. Be prepared to shoot it in the head when it does.
-
- Posts: 4780
- Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2015 10:06 pm
- Location: Western Ohio
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
I need to find a source of steel plating also. I'd like to make some reactive targets.
- Bruenor
- Posts: 7306
- Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:03 pm
- Location: Geneva, OH
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
Out of curiosity I looked at several local metal distributors charging $60-$80 for a 0.25" x 12" x 24" aluminum plate.
You can get pretty much the same aluminum plate new on ebay for around $35.00 + s&h
I always wonder how some stuff on ebay is so comparatively inexpensive.
You can get pretty much the same aluminum plate new on ebay for around $35.00 + s&h
I always wonder how some stuff on ebay is so comparatively inexpensive.
Μολὼν λαβέ
"Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. . . Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them."
- Thomas Paine
"Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem."
- Thomas Jefferson
"Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. . . Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them."
- Thomas Paine
"Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem."
- Thomas Jefferson
- deanimator
- Posts: 7863
- Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:34 pm
- Location: Rocky River
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
Volume. Of course you get killed on shipping.Bruenor wrote:Out of curiosity I looked at several local metal distributors charging $60-$80 for a 0.25" x 12" x 24" aluminum plate.
You can get pretty much the same aluminum plate new on ebay for around $35.00 + s&h
I always wonder how some stuff on ebay is so comparatively inexpensive.
Life comes at you fast. Be prepared to shoot it in the head when it does.
- scottb
- OFCC Patron Member
- Posts: 135
- Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 3:42 pm
- Location: Wooster
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
Check local metal fabrication/welding shops. They usually have bits and pieces of material laying around in case they find a need for it. You will likely get it at a very reasonable price.
Another option (for aluminum) is Thyssenkrupp Materials. I buy (for my work) from them on occasion. They are in the Cleveland area.
Another option (for aluminum) is Thyssenkrupp Materials. I buy (for my work) from them on occasion. They are in the Cleveland area.
“Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.”― George Carlin
- AlanM
- Posts: 9435
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 1:38 am
- Location: Was Stow, OH now Charlottesville, VA
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
Questions:
How accurately do the threaded holes be located?
Does the surface have to be perfectly flat?
If the answers are "not very" and "no" you might want to save yourself A LOT of time by NOT tapping the holes.
Surebonder 8510 6-32, 8-32, 10-24, 10-32, 1/4-20 Threaded Insert Tool
uxcell 100 Pcs Zinc Plated Carbon Steel Rivet Nut Flat Head Insert Nutsert 1/4-20UNC
Threaded holes: less than $9 per 100. (Why did I just flash back to the movie "ET" and the "portable hole" reference?
This gives you steel threads instead of aluminium threads which I consider an advantage.
Personally, I would try a backing block with a half inch hole in it and a large leather mallet before buying the insert tool.
Also if you need to mount something that has multiple mounting holes, using cone point set screws in the mounting holes would make marking the plate for drilling a breeze.
http://catalog.westernstateshardware.co ... se-1-4--20
How accurately do the threaded holes be located?
Does the surface have to be perfectly flat?
If the answers are "not very" and "no" you might want to save yourself A LOT of time by NOT tapping the holes.
Surebonder 8510 6-32, 8-32, 10-24, 10-32, 1/4-20 Threaded Insert Tool
uxcell 100 Pcs Zinc Plated Carbon Steel Rivet Nut Flat Head Insert Nutsert 1/4-20UNC
Threaded holes: less than $9 per 100. (Why did I just flash back to the movie "ET" and the "portable hole" reference?
This gives you steel threads instead of aluminium threads which I consider an advantage.
Personally, I would try a backing block with a half inch hole in it and a large leather mallet before buying the insert tool.
Also if you need to mount something that has multiple mounting holes, using cone point set screws in the mounting holes would make marking the plate for drilling a breeze.
http://catalog.westernstateshardware.co ... se-1-4--20
AlanM
There are no dangerous weapons; there are only dangerous men. - RAH
Four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo - use in that order.
If you aren't part of the solution, then you obviously weren't properly dissolved.
There are no dangerous weapons; there are only dangerous men. - RAH
Four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo - use in that order.
If you aren't part of the solution, then you obviously weren't properly dissolved.
- deanimator
- Posts: 7863
- Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:34 pm
- Location: Rocky River
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
The purpose of the plate is to mount:AlanM wrote:Questions:
How accurately do the threaded holes be located?
Does the surface have to be perfectly flat?
If the answers are "not very" and "no" you might want to save yourself A LOT of time by NOT tapping the holes.
Surebonder 8510 6-32, 8-32, 10-24, 10-32, 1/4-20 Threaded Insert Tool
uxcell 100 Pcs Zinc Plated Carbon Steel Rivet Nut Flat Head Insert Nutsert 1/4-20UNC
Threaded holes: less than $9 per 100. (Why did I just flash back to the movie "ET" and the "portable hole" reference?
This gives you steel threads instead of aluminium threads which I consider an advantage.
Personally, I would try a backing block with a half inch hole in it and a large leather mallet before buying the insert tool.
Also if you need to mount something that has multiple mounting holes, using cone point set screws in the mounting holes would make marking the plate for drilling a breeze.
http://catalog.westernstateshardware.co ... se-1-4--20
- a ballhead onto which an automated macro focusing rail and camera will be mounted
- two or more magic arms onto which lights will be mounted
- an adjustable subject stage
Life comes at you fast. Be prepared to shoot it in the head when it does.
-
- OFCC Coordinator
- Posts: 3515
- Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 5:26 pm
- Location: n.e. ohio
- Contact:
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
Would 16 gauge be suitable, I can get you that no problem.deanimator wrote:Here's a drawing. In truth, I don't need that many drilled and tapped holes, probably just three lines of them along the long axis.gilly32 wrote:PM sent.
Black Rifles Matter
- AlanM
- Posts: 9435
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 1:38 am
- Location: Was Stow, OH now Charlottesville, VA
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
Ummm, other than using the threaded rivnuts I suggested, how would you put 1/4-20 threads in 16 gauge sheet metal?
AlanM
There are no dangerous weapons; there are only dangerous men. - RAH
Four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo - use in that order.
If you aren't part of the solution, then you obviously weren't properly dissolved.
There are no dangerous weapons; there are only dangerous men. - RAH
Four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo - use in that order.
If you aren't part of the solution, then you obviously weren't properly dissolved.
- deanimator
- Posts: 7863
- Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:34 pm
- Location: Rocky River
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
As pointed out by somebody else, that wouldn't work, for a variety of reasons. This is to mount a camera, automated focus rail, lights and subject stage. Sheet metal would be neither thick enough to allow 1/4"-20 threads to engage, nor be heavy enough to be stable without flexing and vibration.steves 50de wrote:Would 16 gauge be suitable, I can get you that no problem.
It really does need to be plate, either aluminum or steel, and a minimum of 1/4" thick.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Life comes at you fast. Be prepared to shoot it in the head when it does.
-
- OFCC Member
- Posts: 420
- Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2013 9:49 am
- Location: NE Ohio
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
McMaster Carr wants $73 for a 3' x 1' x 1/4" plate.deanimator wrote:It really does need to be plate, either aluminum or steel, and a minimum of 1/4" thick.
- pirateguy191
- Posts: 11009
- Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:06 pm
- Location: 44146
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
Check with Marsam Metalfab in Twinsburg. Contact Jim Bayus, tell him Jeff Asbury sent you.
"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." - Ronald Reagan
"When democracy turns to tyranny, the armed citizen still gets to vote." ~ Mike Vanderboegh
NRA member, NRA basic pistol instructor, DBACB
"When democracy turns to tyranny, the armed citizen still gets to vote." ~ Mike Vanderboegh
NRA member, NRA basic pistol instructor, DBACB
- deanimator
- Posts: 7863
- Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:34 pm
- Location: Rocky River
Re: Metal Plate Sources?
Thanks.pirateguy191 wrote:Check with Marsam Metalfab in Twinsburg. Contact Jim Bayus, tell him Jeff Asbury sent you.
Life comes at you fast. Be prepared to shoot it in the head when it does.