Billet Suppliers

[dgriffiths]

Can anybody suggest a west coast distributor for aluminum billet. I am looking for some 7" thick Aluminum Billet. What is a good machinable alloy? I have been using 7075 plate up to this point with pretty good results.

[LaszloK]

I'm not sure about the west coast. Here in the north east I always use Yarde Metals. The 7075 will giv you good results but it is a little more expensive than 6061. Some people find 6061 to be gummy and others just love machining it. We use 6061 for all of our work primarily due to price.

[Bob_Looney]

for 7075 I use Bruce at Reliance in portland

for 2024 and 6061 I use Chritina at Castle in Kent WA.

as far as what to use, depends on what the customer calls out. big difference in price between 6061 and the rest of the alloys.

[crazy^millman]

Dix Metals is who we get alot of our Material from think they got a web site as well. Industrial Metals is another place.

 

HTH

[BernieT]

Future Alloys in Simi Valley is our best supplier.

 

Alum alloy selection depends on usage (and cust req)

7075 machines very well and is the strongest alloy, but prone to cracking in certain situations. I don't think you should make wheel rims from it.

 

6061 is good all-around choice for corrosion resitance, machines OK but not the best.

 

2024 is very good all-around choice.

 

There is much good info from suppliers and the Metal Handbook on aluminum. Do some research, start with supplier catalogs.

 

HTH

[Chris Rizzo]

Bruce at Reliance is great:

 

(503) 286-3344

 

Also Copper and Brass Sales/Thyssen Krupp- ask for Monte

 

1-800-926-2600

 

Not to be confused with Alaska Copper and Brass, which are an absolute NIGHTMARE to deal with.

 

What parts your making may also help determine an alloy.

[Tom Szelag]

I wouldnt use 7075 unless your parts need a substantially higher yield stress (on the order of 75000psi if I recall) than 6061 (47000psi). 7075 is a good bit more expensive.

 

6061 machines just fine if you ask me.

[Harryman]

"Billet"

 

A word used to distinguish expensive motorcycle accessories machined from some aluminum alloy from lesser accessories made from, um..., aluminum alloy.

[dgriffiths]

Thanks for the quick response guys. I will be machining a thermoforming tool with 2 sliding peices to relieve a negative on the part. As far as the alloy goes I can really use whatever I want it to be. It just has to last for several thousands parts. Again thank you for all of the input!!!

[TomHemphill]

try this if alloy doesn't matter supposed to be all aircraft surplus I guess they usually don't know exactly what the alloy is but they can tell you if it's "hard or "soft" Price is the hook here I haven't used them personally but know a couple of guys that have

 

http://yardstore.com/

Tom

[BernieT]

quote:

---

It just has to last for several thousands parts.

---

Use 7075. Best for tooling and molds.

 

[Gary]

We use shupan metal. Good prices and fast shipment most time see are stuff next day.

[Chris Rizzo]

I agree with Bernie on the 7075. Personally, I like 7075 better than 6061 anyways, it's harder, and cuts a better chip, whereas 6061 will be "stringy" and have a tendency to "smear"...esp on mold/surface work. Your better off with 7075 for that job, it sounds like.

 

Thysenn Krupp is selling 6013 now, which they call a "better machinability than 6061, chaper than 7075". I tried some on a run of smallish (8x8x8) molds, and thought it was ok, nothing great. However it did'nt really "smear", lke I've had 6061 do on some surface work.

 

Also, depending on how severe the useage of your molds might be, you might want to think about getting them annodized or hard annodized. Also you mentioned sliding parts? Annodizing will help surface wear big time.

m2c

 

oh, for 7075 I like Reliance (see above #). Good cut tolerance and great service and delivery. Don't get an extrusion, get plate. Although with that size you will probably be in plate territory anyway. Tell Bruce Chris from Speedymoto refered you.

[Chris Rizzo]

Oh, another thing...A machined surface of 7075 will corrode VERY quickly, esp. if it's touching another piece of 7075. Even better reason to annodize. Between ops I make sure that all of our 7075 parts are insulated from each other with wood or cardboard .

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Billet... yea... just a word to excuse the extra charge from plate or bar stock that's all.

[dgriffiths]

Yeah, I agree that "billet" is just a word to justify markup on a part. But you have to admit is is a lot more fun to say than "plate"

[SLJ]

TSTOM, You ain't seen anything till you've been to the Yardstore. Lots of surplus stuff from the big aircraft co.s. They've got several quanset huts out back that they don't even know whats in. We used to buy most of our tooling material from them, but the last couple of years they've gotten pretty pricey. On some things, we've been able to get it cheaper from a regular supplier. It is handy though, we've got someone in Wichta 2 or 3 times a week delivering or picking up parts from the finish houses.

[TomHemphill]

I saw the pics on the web site...looks like some unique pieces of scrap like 24" rounds 6" thick etc....Is there something wrong with you when you get excited about a piece of metal???

 

Tom