foundry work - aluminum pulley

[JeffEck]

When I'm not buying full stick for jobs I goto The Yard Store, they price aluminum at $2.5/lb down to $1.5/lb for cut offs. I looked at an online supplier that I have used once, 3 inches of 8" 6061 round was $58. About a year ago I purchased 3" of 6" round and 5" of 4" round, bill at the yard store was $60. (I was building a base for a ball turning attachment for my 14" Rockwell lathe) I think they sell online. Is that is more expensive than casting, considering the time of the guy working? Thanks for responding, can't learn anything in a vacuum..