Pricing of metal.

[NeoTech]

I'm curious of a comparison.

I have the need to buy two pieces of aluminium plate, that is 425x375x25mm. - it comes to about 23kg for both plates.

So pricing in Sweden for this ranges from 410 euro to 660 euros. - But when i looked at a german online store i found the same pieces of plate for 285 euros, including shipping within Germany and Austria. - thats basicly half, with shipping..

So now i'm getting curious. What would my two pieces of ally cost in your country in a basic AlMg5 alloy (6061/68-T6)

[Bluechip]

Aluminium Warehouse [UK] says £148 for 2 off 430mm x 380mm x 25mm of 6082T6
This includes VAT but not shipping  [about £12 IIRC ]
Seems to be about €190 - €200 ish.

http://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk/cutting_calc.php

Dave

[rythmnbls]

Online Metals ( US Company, http://onlinemetals.com ) has a 6061-T6 18" x 18" x 1" plate for $221.43 plus shipping.

I believe they do ship internationally.

Regards,

Steve.

[Lew_Merrick_PE]

Understand, the price of metals (and other commodities) is established by your national or regional Future's Market and has nothing to do with cost or availability!  This is why in 2005 here in the U.S. over less than two months the price of (20,000 lbs) of Merchant Stock steel went from $0.35/lb to $1.64/lb  (and stayed there for more than a year).  It depends more on what, if any, regulations are applied to the Future's Market by your country or region.

We here in the U.S. pay something more than $20/lb for the copper that the Chinese manufacturer's sell us in finished goods for (about) $0.65/lb.  This is called the Free Market...

[NeoTech]

I can say that i would get annoyed - if that it would be cheaper to buy from a foreign country.. 

[Lew_Merrick_PE]

Neo -- Back in 1994 or so, I built some tooling for a friend of mine (who lives in Vancouver, CANADA) to make "disappearing-point spearheads" for a then pending movie production.  The production finally came through in 2001.  I drove up to see him and "settle" (as it were).  In the interim, he and his partner acquired a cast iron surface plate as the "tooling base."  I removed the (28 inch X 42 inch) 1 inch aluminum plate that was the original "tooling base" and drove home.  At customs, had I not had the invoice, I would have been charged $2800 in "duties" for bringing CANADIAN aluminum into the USA.  At that time 6061-T6 aluminum plate was $5.65/lb in the US and $3.20/lb in Canada.  I have NEVER been questioned by Canadian Customs when taking materials into Canada (with the exception of 25 .50 calibre long shooter's rifles I was taking to the Canadian Forces for a "review").

[Will_D]

Well as this thread is all about metal prices:

In Dublin, Ireland we only have few metal suppliers.

I am using 303/304 stainless.

Stock lengths here are 3 metres 

So, if its small diameter no great problem (just get a lifetimes supply for the same price as a few feet from the ME shops [+p&p] in the UK  )  but what about cut to length?

Then it becomes weird:

25 mm Round NO way - stock length

25 mm and over Square - no problemo "ctl" (naturallt also for 32 and 50 and above)

Round bar minimum "ctl" is 50 mm

Weird or what?

Must say however even to get suppliers to sell to me in small quantities (small: €100?) is an achievement.

BTW: If any Irish Mad Modders need some SS at cost price please PM me as I have 2.5 M of 25 mm bar! (plus a load of imperial round and hex from a long time ago)

So for info:

1"    Round 303 3M €42 + vat @ 23%
5/8" Round 303 3M €17.40 + vat @ 23%

50mm sq. 304 Cut to 300 mm €27 + vat @ 23% [edit: forgot the price!]

[NeoTech]

The problem of having any of the shops selling to me in small quantities is a common problem here as well.

Last time i neede to buy 40x60mm barstock of aluminium i ended up buying a 2m bar.. i used about.. uhm, 500mm, rest of it still sits there in the pile.
I wish i could turn that barstock to a piece of flat stock atm. =)

[chipenter]

The problem of having any of the shops selling to me in small quantities is a common problem here as well.

Last time i neede to buy 40x60mm barstock of aluminium i ended up buying a 2m bar.. i used about.. uhm, 500mm, rest of it still sits there in the pile.
I wish i could turn that barstock to a piece of flat stock atm. =)

Sounds a good excuse to make a foundry  .

[NeoTech]

I have  foundry, i just don't wanna remelt expensive barstock. ;)

And the high silica aluminium alloys that i have access too isnt that good for making stuff thats gonna be welded.. and not figured out any good way of getting the silica out of it either. =)