Quote Originally Posted by m_c View Post
That's ok if you have the equipment to deal with full lengths, and need the full length.
But if you don't have the equipment, or don't need a multiple of 7.2m, then price difference can be totally different.
It all depends on what equipment you have and what you need.

I can work with either, but not everybody can.
If you don't have a pillar drill, scribe, centre punch etc. then that's something else you need to factor into the cost, and look beyond the basic material costs.
Well yes and no really.? Cut to length and small quantity's usually come at a premium and has you said the brackets etc required come out expensive.
Most steels stockist's will cut to size for a few quid more.

On a like for like basis then Steel box works out cheaper by about half and IMO again on like for like dimensions basis steel is far stronger.

Yes pillow drills can be expensive but again they are not essential and jigs can be used to good affect.! . .Just takes longer and harder to achive accurecy as easily.
A pillow drill so useful in every aspect of building a machine I would recommend it being one of the first tools bought for building one.
Things like scribes,centre punch etc I consider minimum tools and to be honest anyone who try's to build a steel or Ali machine without them would shouldn't be trying because there not equiped enough.?
Also with the money saved you could probably buy a cheap stick welder and learn a new skill along the way.! . .:dance: