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How much for a large lump of aluminium?
the_fbi - 13/9/06 at 06:14 PM

I've something in mind which would need machining from a pretty large lump of aluminium.

Anybody know roughly how much a piece 450mm x 300mm x 250mm would cost?

It can be the cheapest type possible.

ta
Chris

[Edited on 13/9/06 by the_fbi]

tks - 13/9/06 at 06:18 PM

Alu is at 7euro Kg??

Tks

JoelP - 13/9/06 at 06:20 PM

100kgs roughly, assuming .5X.33x.25, and 2.5 tonnes per cubic metre.

maybe $2500 per tonne? So assuing those prices are right, about £150.

need to check prices further though...

source for price :

http://www.lme.co.uk/aluminium.asp

source for specific mass:

http://www.simetric.co.uk/si_metals.htm

[Edited on 13/9/06 by JoelP]

StevieB - 13/9/06 at 06:27 PM

Might be a bit more pricey for a block of ali rather than a standard bar or sheet though - might need to be a special cast

the_fbi - 13/9/06 at 06:51 PM

Just been thinking, could use nylon or delrin.

Its for a mould for a fibreglass component, so needs to be resistant to all the relevant stuff.

Also easy to machine, which clearly ally/nylon are.

£150 is probably a bit much to make it worthwhile!

JoelP - 13/9/06 at 07:00 PM

might sound obvious, but what about a simple block of wood? Would need a good finish and a lot of wax, but technically possible.

the_fbi - 13/9/06 at 07:34 PM

quote:
Originally posted by JoelP
might sound obvious, but what about a simple block of wood? Would need a good finish and a lot of wax, but technically possible.

I did consider that, but the ally or delrin will look pretty sexy once I've decided not to bother doing the fibreglass.
Wood would just get chucked on the fire.

Nick Skidmore - 13/9/06 at 08:02 PM

10 off 450 x 350 x 25mm thick Sheets of MDF glued together.

I've seen plenty of patterns made out of MDF that way.

Seal and paint with Re-coat for moulding purposes.

smart51 - 13/9/06 at 08:08 PM

geting a piece of aly cast is quite cheap if you provide a suitable mould and you are happy to have some of whatever they cast next. you could then machine up as you would from solid.

the_fbi - 13/9/06 at 09:00 PM

I know people use some kind of styrene foam (no idea what its really called) stuff, then create a mould from that as its really easy to work.

I just liked the idea of a machined ally block which could be easily cnc'd to shape and also bolted together for certain areas which have to mate.

It would also last longer.

I just feel the need to make something useful from fibreglass

PAULD - 13/9/06 at 09:16 PM

what you need is a material called obomodulan. it comes in various grades but the blue would probably be best. you get a good finish straight from the cnc machine, a little hand finishing and wax and you're there.

PAULD - 13/9/06 at 09:29 PM

p.s.
try generalplastics.com

the_fbi - 13/9/06 at 09:32 PM

quote:
Originally posted by PAULD
what you need is a material called obomodulan.

I guess if you know words like that you must know what you're talking about!

Thanks, I'll give them a go.

dmottaway - 14/9/06 at 03:28 AM

I can get it for you, but shipping from here would be painful.

Just for grins, I will get a price tomorrow.

dave

dmottaway - 14/9/06 at 11:48 PM

gave the general dimension, in American, as 18" x 12" x 10" and was told it would cost roughly $550, plus shipping to you. Readily available.

And for the totally bizarre, there is a piece big enough to CNC an entire chassis. Approx. 4ft x 8ft x 18". Probably too big to ship economically!

I accept PayPal

dave