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Guys
I am in the planning phases of my project and need to find out more about what type of material to use for my gantry uprights.
I've been looking everywhere but cant find any info on types of aluminium and or the numbering that goes with it and generally what its good for. I know its a beeeg subject but i need to start somewhere, so any help will be .... well erm helpful :wink:
Can someone please give me some info on this or just point me to some theads/links pls?
Thanks
Try http://www.metalfast.co.uk/index.htm lots of info ... I have no connection to this Company.
Thx for the quick reply!
I had a look and the most interesting thing was this:
"M82 is manufactured at one of the most modern aluminium rolling mills in the world. Located in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Hulett Aluminium" - LOL!
I lived right next to the new plant when they built it in 98 sharing a house with the QS of the project. What a small world!
I can tell you that plant is MIND BLOWING!
Anyway, I couldnt really find what i was looking for, so i suppose the question really is what you guys suggest i use for items like the gantry uprights, z-plates and spindle mount?
Ok, i found this handy PDF with some good aluminum grade descriptions.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pdf/20...l/Cat09064.pdf
Hi CNCBlug
If you want to source aluminium you could try www.aalco.co.uk they have plenty of depots your nearest probaly being Swanley(Kent) or Slough.
I'm no expert but I am led to believe that a good aluminium for basic machining is 6082T6, this is the strongest of the 6000 grades and is the stuff quite commonly found on ebay (as here, by way of example). It machines very nicely. It is not as corrosion resistant as the 5000 series which is also commonly found but is not as nice to machine. For hobby use either will do.
See here for more info
[edit]the aalco site in Peter's post above has a good set of info too [/edit]
Thanks guys!
I,ve also been looking for ali and found http://www.clickmetal.co.uk/ they seem to be the cheapest. Not used them tho.
I'v used them as well Ross, good service really.
Another thing to try when contacting these companys is to ask what is in the off cut bin, Bargin's to be had !
http://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk seem generally cheaper but do not cut to size.
I haven't tried them yet so can't comment on service.
Cheers FatFreddie, They are cheaper and have a much better selection, wish I'd found them last week.:beer::beer:
Now i now where to get the 100x100mm block for the spindle.