My metal stock racks have been slowly dwindling for a while now and just recently, I got a wild hair stuck where it doesn't belong. Lately, I have been pouring over the drawing sheets that I had gifted to myself and they called for rather large chunks of material. I began to scour the usual suspects and was almost ready to throw in the towel on the idea of proceeding with the project as the cost for the largest lump of T-6061 aluminum which was to be the projects crankcase, came in at almost $100usd!!! The piece was 5" x 5"x 3 1/2". As I sat there in a state of shock, it was then I ran across a listing for Midwest Steel and Aluminum Supply that was located in Rogers Minnesota. Now the funny thing is, this supplier was located just a mile up the road from a place that I deliver food products to on a regular basis. After several calls to their sales personel, who were all quite friendly, I came away with that huge lump AND two thick pieces for the cylinder heads for a grand total of $88usd. I am one happy camper in that for less than what anyone else offered, I was able procure additional pieces and still have some jingle left over for my other vices.... So, maybe I won't have to take out a second mortgage just to have some fun in the shop again.
Jim