[sdiy] Cut Aluminum

[Eric Brombaugh]

JAMES GALLANT wrote:
>      You might want to take a look at these folks:
> 
> http://www.onlinemetals.com/
> 
>      They do small quantities and custom-cut.  I just did a quick 
> look-see and I can get a 1.75" x 8.75" piece (MOTM single wide?) of  
> .065"  6061-T6 Aluminum for US $1.38 each.  Shipping extra.  An 
> 1/8th-inch (.125") piece of the same dimensions is US $2.60.

Interesting site. I notice that they have a 'Cut Fee' that kicks in at 
3pcs and _increases_ per unit as you order more pieces of the same size. 
Ferinstance, with the dimensions you give above the fee at 3pcs is 
$1.50, and at 10pcs is $12.

Still, it's a pretty good deal - get 10 blank panels for less than $30.

OTOH, the tolerance issue pointed out earlier might require a bit of 
extra labor for final fitting which could be a nuisance. That's where it 
would be nice to have a shear. Something like this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90757

But that has a few downsides:

* Harbor Freight (the Behringer of machine tools?)
* max 18ga (0.0403") aluminum
* 8" wide (OK for Frac/Euro, no good for MOTM/Modcan/.com)

Eric