Society of Robots - Robot Forum

General Misc => Misc => Topic started by: cyberfish on April 05, 2010, 04:38:29 PM

Title: Buying raw material (sheet HDPE and aluminum) in Canada
Post by: cyberfish on April 05, 2010, 04:38:29 PM
Since McMasters doesn't ship to Canada anymore, does anyone know of a good alternative?

Either Canadian company (preferably, but not likely), or US company that will ship to Canada.

I'm looking for HDPE and aluminum sheets in particular.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Buying raw material (sheet HDPE and aluminum) in Canada
Post by: Canabots on April 06, 2010, 02:11:11 PM
I've gotten aluminum sheets from Canadian Tire or Home Depot (not online, in-store)

And RobotShop.ca has a new thing for purchasing materials from them. I have never used it before (nor can I find the link) But I think it should be worth looking into.
Title: Re: Buying raw material (sheet HDPE and aluminum) in Canada
Post by: Anathae on May 31, 2011, 02:26:46 PM
I am unsure if they carry HDPE, but they care quite a variety of metals, sheet, plate, extruded and rolled. Metalsuppermarket.

I think they are Canadian. They at least have Canadian shops.
Title: Re: Buying raw material (sheet HDPE and aluminum) in Canada
Post by: Admin on May 31, 2011, 08:41:11 PM
Plastic cutting boards at any grocery are made from an HDPE-like material.
Title: Re: Buying raw material (sheet HDPE and aluminum) in Canada
Post by: Aberg098 on June 01, 2011, 11:25:19 AM
+1 for metal supermarkets, superior metal centre (SMC) also is starting to make inroads, depending on where you are.

Try hardware stores, or big chain hardware store, like Home Depot, Rona or Lowe's. My local ones typically have some stuff available, albeit way overpriced. I've also seen aluminium panels in places like Canadian Tire, in the automotive repair section.

I know that locally, I've had some success in buying plastic offcuts from a signmaker. I'm talking about a company that specialises in signage and logos for retail stores. They typically cut out patterns and have a lot of leftovers. I just walked into the office and asked.

However, the cheapest source of aluminium I know are old streetsigns and construction warning panels...