Materials
Metal
Steel
At http://www.metalsdepot.com the cost of shipping doesn't change much based on quantity, at 6', it's $32.44 at 240', it's $35.65.
A 12' section of 3/4 steel tubing is $15.64. It would weigh about 8lbs, a 12' 2x4 would weight 26lbs and cost about $5.
I can get 3/4" round steel tubing on EB for $1/ft, including shipping.
I've seen scrap for as little as $3.60/lb.
If I had the right equipment, I may also be able to use Fe3O4 to produce steel in small quantities. It would also let me control the mix.
Aluminum
I can get scrap aluminum on eBay for about $2.20/lb and can be worked in a Foundry.
| Shape | Side | Thickness | Length | Cost | $/m | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square tubing | 10mm | 1mm | 4x1m | 33.79 | 8.45 | AliExpress |
| Square tubing | 25mm | 1.2mm | 1m | 34.79 | 34.79 | AliExpress |
| Square tubing | 1" (25.4mm) | 1/16 (1.6mm) | 10 ft (3m) | 26.2 | 2.62 | www.metalsdepot.com |
| Square tubing | 1" (25.4mm) | 1/16 (1.6mm) | 6 ft (1.8m) | 22.86 | 12.7 | home depot |
| Conduit | 1" (25.4mm) | 1/16 (1.6mm) | 10 ft (3m) | 10.40 | 3.46 | home depot |
| Conduit | 2" (50.8mm) | 1/16 (1.6mm) | 10 ft (3m) | 24.06 | 8.02 | home depot |
Shipping is a pain in the ass. Often over $100.
Zinc Threaded Rod
Wood
Engineered
Plywood
- 1/2"
- home depot 4'x8' ~$31 or $1/sqft
- 23/32" (0.72") Radiata Pine
- 4'x8' ~37 or $1.15/sqft
- ~7 layers of ply
- decent finish
OSB
- 1/2"
- home depot 4'x8' ~$16 or $0.50/sqft
MDF / Hardboard
Flimsy and fibrous when thin, a bit more resilient above 1/2".
A note from making the Mini-Drill Press; the surface can be coated in a thin layer of wood glue which can be lightly sanded down. This creates a very smooth surface. With the application of paste wax, it creates a surface that can slide easily.
- 1/8" 4x8 Hardboard $7.75 : $0.24/sqft
Solid
Pine
- 1" x 10" x 10' $15 or $1.80/sqft
- 1" x 8" x 8' $7 or $1.30/sqft
Construction Yellow Pine
- 2" x 12" x 8' $11 or $1.38/sqft (at 1.5" thick)
This is actually cheaper at 8' than 12' and the 12" is cheaper per in. than the 10", plus those extra 2" are interior which means more usable board.
Douglas Fir
- 2" x 10" x 8' $8.22 $1.23/sqft (at 1.5" thick, plus a little more for the edges)
The nominal 12" are closer to 11" in actual, and after straightening, 10.5". Cutting them down to 1.5"x2.5" gets 4 boards. So cost wise, it's about even. The boards I cut are a bit straighter and have really good grain, but it does take a little while to cut them. If I'm going to do more of this, I should look for a better way. I could either setup a very long track for the circular saw, or a very long sled for the table saw.
Other Materials
Drywall
$0.22/sqft
I've seen it used to make templates. This has the advantage over 1/8" hardboard that a trim bit can be used on it.
Cloth
- Burlap: $0.27/sqft
- Canvas: $0.22/sqft
- 1" nylon strap: $0.135/ft