Case Modding Supplies: Aluminium Sheet Metal

Hello,

Designing a case from scratch and require aluminium sheet metal of some kind.

Discovered four or five different types and was wondering if anyone had any expierence with selecting a specific type and a possible supplier? Local shops only carry the steel stuff in far too large of calibers, so I require an online or catalog retailer.

Lost on the topic but I'm assuming you guys are actively using/buying the stuff so any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Marska

Just go to Aircraft Spruce & Specialty they will sell all types of aluminum at good prices, and you can get them shipped in 2 X 4 or larger sheets. For your case you may want to use some "L" stock to reinforce the corners, I'd reccomend some Alclad 2024-T3, in .032 or .040 thickness, 7075 would be more ridgid, but much easier to crack while bending if your not experienced with sheetmetal. Leave the plastic coating on it until you finish to keep the metal from being scratched during the build, and be sure to use a bending boot on your brake so you don't crack the material when bending. If you need more info let me know.

Ok you must be calling the wrong places. Most machine shops will have some aluminum sheet of some sort. Tell them what you are looking for (size and stuff) and they'll find it for you.

No sense in wasting your money online by getting it shipped to you.

Sheet metal prices are inflated as hell right now which ticks me off but luckily I've got a cheap source for everything now.

Yeah, I would call a machine shop. They would give you the best advice on selecting an aluminum alloy, as well as recommending aluminum sources or providing it to you directly.

I ordered form online metals. They had good quality alum and did small orders with reasonable shipping.

Heres a teaser of my upcomming external watercooling enclosure, the base of it is made out of alum angle and 1 plate 1/8" thick (should went 1/16th). Walls and lid will be acrylic, havne't got them in yet or my radiator resersovoir and pump: