Aluminum Channel sources

[BrianJ]

I seem to remember someone posting a link to an aluminum supplier a couple of months ago.  I think it was in regards to a spyder power supply build but I'm not sure.  I tried the search and found nothing.  I'm looking for rectangular tubing stock for an amp chassis in the ball park of 5" x 2.5" cut to length.

Sorry if this seems vague.

If anyone has any info I'd apreciate it.

[Pushtone]

I think I read that same post.

Acting on it I stopped into a commercial window supplier.
The kind business that supplies large plate glass windows for office buildings and retail stores.
I asked if they had any channel scraps.

I was shown to four 50 gallon barrels loaded with channel scraps.
I recovered two pieces that are similar to what you describe.
I'll post some pics of the channel scraps when I get home tonight.
They are too big for a stompbox but would make a nice mini tube amp chassis.

They do have a lip that holds the glass that would need to be sawn off.

So if your looking I would ask for scrap at a commercial window company.
I was told the channel cost 120.00 for a 10 foot length it that helps.

[moody07747]

I used to order from http://www.onlinemetals.com/ but their prices are a little high and add shipping to that...

Now I drive just 30 minutes to this place

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y22/moody07747/Other/welds/?action=view&current=1supplyoverview.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch7

$5 for a full 20' length of 1/8 gauge angle iron with a half inch leg on each side
$12 for a full length of 1/4" x 1/8 gauge square tubing.

the prices are just so low even compared to the home depot metal supply.

Alu. is going to be high, there's nothing you can really do about that but i suggest looking up a steel supply at yellowpages.com

usually you'll have to drive 30 - 45 minutes but its well worth it.

[Dave_B]

Kombo King makes a chassis for the 18-watt that's 6" x 2.5" x 20" long.  It's .08" thick and $27 plus USP shipping.

[Pushtone]

Pictures of scrap aluminum channel from commercial window installer.
This would be the largest channels they use. They're a little different. One has
an internal feature that could hold the PCB but is a little smaller

4" x  2.5"
5.25" x 2.5"
(not including part that sticks out)

Hammond 1590B and small needle nose shown for scale

[sfr]

I found a lot of misc. lengths of various stuff like this in both Steel and Aluminum at my local metal scrapyard.  Prices fluctuate with the price of metal, but I got probably 5 feet of aluminum U channel for under 10 bucks at Queen City Steel here in Burlington, VT.   A lot of scrapyards just rought sort everything in piles before they truck it all to get recycled or whatever, and have no problem with you picking through it and grabbing stuff, and then charge you by the pound.  (Well, last time I went, the guy kind of lifted it for a moment, and said, "eh, 5 bucks sound good?")  It's sharp and pointy there though, so wear gloves and long pants.

[R.G.]

Scrap yards are good.

Did you see this link in my posting when I found it?

http://www.industrialmetalsales.com/1994.html

It's for this:

which is 2"x6" by 3 feet long, $28.00. Expensive, but pretty accurately what's needed in many cases.

[BrianJ]

Thanks everyone.  R.G., that's exactly the link I was looking for.