Aluminum rods for lightsabers...

[Unfated]

Where is the best place to get aluminum, or stainless steel rods
for use in machining lightsabers? I'm not finding them at the
local Home Depot, or Lowes. I have a metal lathe I'm looking
to play with. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[DarthJRW]

try
http://onlinemetals.com/

they have a big selection

<div class='quotetop'>(Unfated @ Jun 22 2006, 01:21 PM) [snapback]1266007[/snapback]</div>

Where is the best place to get aluminum, or stainless steel rods
for use in machining lightsabers? I'm not finding them at the
local Home Depot, or Lowes. I have a metal lathe I'm looking
to play with. Any ideas would be appreciated.
[/b]

 

[Unfated]

Would you recommend aluminum or stainless steel?

 

[Sporak]

Most of us here make them from aluminum...
Depends how powerful your lathe is and the kind of cutting tools you use.
Alum is way softer...

 

[SmilingOtter]

I tend to go with Onlinemetals. For sabers, I like the 1.25" OD, .75" ID. Gives you .25" of material to machine.

 

[vader1974]

Try to find a local supplier that sells directly to consumers. I use a local company the sells small quanities. Sometimes I will buy a full length (usually 12 ft @ the by the ft price) , but usually a raid the cutoff bin (leftover pieces from other customer orders). THe cutoff bin is priced by the lb and type of material. I usually can find some useful and cheap material in the cutoff bin. I prefer to work in AL and Brass as they are easy to work with and produce a nice finished product. I have used online metals in the past and if you are unable to find a local place that can meet your needs, I highly recommend them.

Good Luck
Brian

 

[Unfated]

Thanks guys, but after going on this site I think I might as well
just buy one done. www.randomsabers.com

 

[Sporak]

I have a couple of those too
Good guy.

 

[SmilingOtter]

Very good guy. Very good sabers. Very long wait, though. (check the progress page.)