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Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: k2000x on April 28, 2011, 09:30:59 pm

Title: were to buy billet alloy stock
Post by: k2000x on April 28, 2011, 09:30:59 pm
im looking to make some trick alloy parts on my lathe were can you buy billet stock from im after 60mm x 800mm bar
Title: Re: were to buy billet alloy stock
Post by: GMC on April 28, 2011, 09:42:15 pm
Depends what grade your chasing but Smart / Capral will cut to size for you
These 2 stores merged a while back now, they were both easier to get on with before they merged, allthough I suppose that depends on who is on duty. I have found ringing them up now is a waste of time as they put you through to a call centre where they have no idea about the product they're selling, best to go straight to the store. You can even get some bargains from the scrap bin.
Title: Re: were to buy billet alloy stock
Post by: KTMaico on April 28, 2011, 11:56:21 pm
Capral is a good place to look for any Aluminium material you may need, but consider what you are making and it's use. I say this because after you make your part your widget may require further processing like Heat ageing process to align the crystaline structure etc... The various processes available are for ageing/hardening/protective coating etc... to make the end product suitable for it's intended use. Think of safety, an example is the cheap billet stuff that comes out of China, it may look alright, but because of poor quality material grade to start with and no hardening process they usually don't last for too long. My 2c worth
Title: Re: were to buy billet alloy stock
Post by: Slakewell on April 29, 2011, 07:06:51 am
Aluminum Warehouse Brookvale if your in Sydney
Title: Re: were to buy billet alloy stock
Post by: oldskool on April 29, 2011, 07:50:56 am
if there sill around obrien aluminium in smithfield sydney.
Title: Re: were to buy billet alloy stock
Post by: head on April 29, 2011, 08:04:03 am
O'Brien aluminum is now at Windsor. They have plenty of stock.
Title: Re: were to buy billet alloy stock
Post by: k2000x on April 29, 2011, 04:02:01 pm
wanting to make up some trick alloy shock bodies so what grade do you guys think
Title: Re: were to buy billet alloy stock
Post by: tony27 on April 29, 2011, 05:08:56 pm
Probably 7075 T6, have made axles etc out of it before & it's 1 of the best to machine.
Have a look at the specs from the aluminium suppliers which will rate each grade as most to least suitable on a varity of different aspects
Title: Re: were to buy billet alloy stock
Post by: motomaniac on April 29, 2011, 06:16:39 pm
For a shock body I would not use Alu . Many have tried , many have failed . You may have a little bit better heat transfer , but with 15 minute races there is no heat problems . because you have to go thicker in walls , the weight saving is also insignificant . The only advantage is that you can anodise the body in any color  but they definitely wear out in no time .

Unless you hard anodize them but thats hardly worth the trouble & $.
Title: Re: were to buy billet alloy stock
Post by: oldskool on April 29, 2011, 08:11:45 pm
thuoght they would still be around didn't know were though.used to deal with ron obrien for trick parts for race car transporters and sprint cars.but i haven't lived in sydney for about 6 years.cheers gary