Where to get raw materials?

[crazy steve]

And yet two more place to try for free or cheap sheetmetal....

Electrical contractors. A lot of shops have piles of old conduit, panelboard boxes, covers, etc. It's usually a nuisance for them to get rid of this stuff and you'll find all different gauges of metal. I'm a retired sparky, and I rarely have to buy sheetmetal due to all the 'stuff' I dragged home over the years.

Appliance repair shops. There's a lot of nice flat metal in a dead washer, dryer, stove, etc. Or even watch Craigslist for dead ones.

Again, ask nice and it will probably be free.....

'78E original owner

[fredintoon]

I have a harbor freight flux core welder, it's a start.

Hi Joe,
practice, practice, practice, practice, practice.
Know that wirefeed welders have the rep of laying beautiful-looking weld beads that have very little penetration. You gotta really fiddle with the feed, power and deposition rates to get good penetration.
It's like riding a bicycle, once you get the trick of it you'll wonder why you ever thought it was difficult.
And stay away from fancy high-alloy steels. Yes they are stronger than plain ol' mild steel but unless you have a furnace big enough to heat treat the entire frame after welding it the welds can be as brittle as glass.

[Ivan]

Here in Wichita, there is a place called "The Yard Store" which sells surplus from the aircraft manufacturers. everything from excess materials to tools to endmill holders. Also there is Boeing Surplus, which sells much of the same.

Try and find someone you know that works in the machining trade, they will probably know where to find that kind of stuff.

[crazy steve]

....Also there is Boeing Surplus, which sells much of the same.

Try and find someone you know that works in the machining trade, they will probably know where to find that kind of stuff.

Yeah, we used to have a Boeing surplus here too (Seattle), but they closed it dammit. Although they weren't that cheap on raw materials (but were a great place to get drills/endmills).....

'78E original owner