Where to buy aluminum in SF / Eastbay

[calnhob]

Hi, been working on the TD for almost 1/2 year and it's finally ready for the outer aluminum skin. I'm only planning to put alu on the top.

I went to one place in San leandro which had 4'x12' .032 for $51 but it comes flat and not rolled up, and I didn't have a way to take it home in my car.

Any recommendations on a place that has 5' wide rolled up at .040 for a good price? Also, does it need to come with the white plastic protection sheet? The place in San Leandro didn't have it.

Here are a couple of pics, a lot more has been done since the pic but this is what I had on the phone.

Trailer front.JPG (216.25 KiB) Viewed 439 times

Getting an idea of the inside

Trailer inside.JPG (232.98 KiB) Viewed 439 times

[Dale M.]

One place you might try is down south of you in Hollister Ca.

http://www.all-rite.com/index.php

Dale

[grant whipp]

It's not East Bay or SF, but you might have to drive to semi-North Sacramento to Cardo Industries on West El Camino (just west of Business 80) and talk to Curt, he's stocked 5x12 in .040 a few times and he can certainly order it for you ... most of his stuff does have some kind of protective film, but if you roll it up, I'd suggest folding a piece of duct tape over the end that goes on the inside of the roll. Good Luck, and tell him Grant referred you ... ...!

CHEERS!

[vegask]

SAF in redding ca. Bit of a hike for you, but they do anodized aluminum for 4' wide pieces and non anodized for 5' wide pieces. Their prices are pretty good from the quotes I have. I am in Reno so I will just pay the freight charge when I am ready.

[DaveS]

I bought mine from Coast Aluminum in Hayward.

Prices in May were:
.032 X 48" X 144" FLAT SHEET 5052-H32 $44.79
.032 X 60" X 144" FLAT SHEET 5052-H32 $55.99

I had them put PVC film on one side to protect the finish and was glad I did. Kept a bunch of scratches from happening. I should have taken the film off as soon as I was done. Left it on too long and it stained the finish a bit.

I wanted flat sheets as I thought they'd be easier to install than coiled stock. I wound up renting a 12' x 6' trailer from U-Haul (cost $30 or thereabouts) to do the transport. Coast put the material on a wood platform and loaded it into the trailer with a forklift. No muss, no fuss. Very happy with the whole experience. Platform was made of oak so will get some heat out of it this winter.

[Graniterich]

Good prices, I drape over the completed cabin, strap down, works well

[calnhob]

I bought mine from Coast Aluminum in Hayward.

Prices in May were:
.032 X 48" X 144" FLAT SHEET 5052-H32 $44.79
.032 X 60" X 144" FLAT SHEET 5052-H32 $55.99

I had them put PVC film on one side to protect the finish and was glad I did. Kept a bunch of scratches from happening. I should have taken the film off as soon as I was done. Left it on too long and it stained the finish a bit.

I wanted flat sheets as I thought they'd be easier to install than coiled stock. I wound up renting a 12' x 6' trailer from U-Haul (cost $30 or thereabouts) to do the transport. Coast put the material on a wood platform and loaded it into the trailer with a forklift. No muss, no fuss. Very happy with the whole experience. Platform was made of oak so will get some heat out of it this winter.

Thanks, those are good prices. Will have to check them out.

Good prices, I drape over the completed cabin, strap down, works well

Not a bad idea, might end up doing that.

[noseoil]

We used to roll formica for carrying that way. Best way to protect the inside face is to fold a piece of cardboard along the entire inner edge (tape it in place so it stays) prior to rolling it up, so it doesn't scratch. You need to be careful not to kink the sheet at any one point during the roll, but you should be able to do it on a table or flat surface like a concrete floor. Put several turns of twine or rope around the outside to secure it.

Just watch out when you cut it loose to open it up. Get a few more hands involved when you do & it should be OK.

[patrickl]

I picked up 5052 6'x12' sheet .08 little thick for $170 a sheet, In Monroe WA from Dean's Specialty Welding Inc.
I also got quotes for 5052 from Everett Steel in WA 5x12 .06 for $120 a sheet but I needed 6x12 which they didn't have in stock.

-Patrick