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.

Aluminum

I can get scrap aluminum on eBay for about $2.20/lb and can be worked in a Foundry.

Square tubing

Side	Thickness	Length	Cost	$/m	Source
10mm	1mm	4x1m	33.79	8.45	AliExpress
25mm	1.2mm	1m	34.79	34.79	AliExpress
1" (25.4mm)	1/16 (1.6mm)	10 ft (3m)	26.2	2.62	www.metalsdepot.com

Wood

Engineered

Plywood

• 1/2"
  • home depot 4'x8' ~$31 or $1/sqft

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.

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)