Raw and in the newb...

[Kaiju]

Howdy,

Lurked the forum for quite some time--just starting to get serious about working metal. Getting and using a vise brake a few months ago has been a huge load of fun--no more hammering out angles on brackets. Now I'm planing to fab a set of useful sized press brakes for my HF 20 ton. I've been farting around with ferrous metals for years--but now started on aluminium gas welding short time ago. Something I've been wanting to do after watching some Tinmantech videos of gas welding sheet aluminium. Really cool IMHO.

I'm in Maine, near Gardiner--anyone have a place to buy metal stock? I think I'm getting hosed when I purchase steel from HD/Lowes, plus the selection isn't great.

Thanks,
Geoff

[Jon]

Hi Geoff - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

What are you looking to build next? Regarding metal stock, I would say to start a new discussion with your question, and I'm sure you'll get some good tips.

[Kaiju]

Thank you for the welcome Jon!

Though I have over the years cobbled together, as needed automotive repair tools (my first was a front wheel bearing puller for early VWs), these tools were ugly and crude. I'm not exactly sure what tools I'm going to build next, but I'm shooting for less ugly and more refined. I have a few ideas kicking around to build tools to make messing around with sheet metal (steel and aluminium) projects more satisfying.

In regards to your suggestion to start a new discussion about locating local sources of metal stock--what section of the forum would be the correct section for me to post?

Thanks for the great forum!
Geoff

[Jon]

Many of our tools are ugly and crude too!

You can put your question in either of these subforums: Tool Talk or Tools in Progress .