metal-sources-msg - 5/3/08 Sources and merchants for metals. Plate, wire, rod, foil. NOTE: See also the files: gilded-food-msg, metals-msg, metalworking-msg, metalworking-FAQ, casting-msg, blacksmithing-msg, bladesmithing-msg. ************************************************************************ NOTICE - This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday. This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter. The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors. Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the originator(s). Thank you, Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous Stefan at florilegium.org ************************************************************************ Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 22:17:55 -0500 From: Malgar Thorvik To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu Subject: Re: sheet metal sources? >I'm working up a desire to start making jewellry - torques, bracelets, >armlets, and such like, with an emphasis less on gems and more on >metal-based stuff. I have the tools, and sources for the tools I don't >have, no problem - but finding good, cheap sources for good, cheap >metal isn't easy. I'm looking for sheet copper and sheet brass in the >18-24 gauge range; and copper and brass wire, ditto. Silver I can Brass King in Kansas City sells all shapes types sizes of brass stock you could think of. I use a brazing rod found at a local welding shop for most of my jewelry. Kilt pins, bracelets, torques, etc. I get it for approx 4.50 a pound Ld Malgar Thorvik Brass forging, Venitian and Glass bead maker, leather Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 06:50:51 -0700 (PDT) From: Heidi Johnson To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu Subject: Re: sheet metal sources? ---ALBAN at delphi.com wrote: > I'm working up a desire to start making jewellry - torques, bracelets, > armlets, and such like, with an emphasis less on gems and more on > metal-based stuff. I have the tools, and sources for the tools I don't > have, no problem - but finding good, cheap sources for good, cheap > metal isn't easy. I'm looking for sheet copper and sheet brass in the > 18-24 gauge range; and copper and brass wire, ditto. Silver I can > get locally; gold is beyond my present skill level (although it would > be nifty to try, some day). > Do y'all know of any good metal stores? Or should I start scrounging > in junkyards? Don't get scrap metal -- it's cheap enough new, and scrap is generally harder to work with. If you want a clean finish, you save yourself a lot of work starting with one. Another general word of advice -- get good tools. Not outrageously expensive, but don't shop at the hardware store. There are lots* of "mail order" sources for jewelry supplies and metal. In particular, there are a bunch of companies based in the Southwest that sell copper findings, sheet, and wire. I'll go home and dig through for a few sources, but the best advice I can give anyone interested in jewelry is to go to the bookstore and buy a copy of Lapidary Journal magazine. Even if you skip the wonderful articles, it's worth it for the ads. Call every toll-free number/free catalog you see listed and you're well on your way to having a good vendor list. And yes, there are always local sources. But remember, there's no sales tax if you buy from out of state. And the shipping costs are fairly minimal. Or, declare yourself a sole proprietorship with the state and voila -- you're tax-exempt. Hope this helps. Good Luck! Kassia of Trebizond, Barony of Nordskogen, Northshield, Midrealm mka Heidi Johnson Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 08:43:28 -0500 From: Tim Weitzel To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu Subject: Re: sheet metal sources? Oh goody, a chance to plug something... Alban, if you can get a copy of the Calon Scrolls that covers the coins of Calontir from Arwin and Chepe through Gilligan and Aedilith, you will find an appendix that lists several sources of sheet and other jewelry metals. If you like, I can get there addresses and post them. Otherwise, look for TSI, Inc. distribuiting out of Seattle or Bartlett & Co. distributing out of Chicago. Those have been my main sources of metal for coins as well as many other metal and jewelry tools. Tryffin ap Myrddin Shadowdale, Calontir Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 07:29:18 -0700 (PDT) From: Heidi Johnson To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu Subject: Re: sheet metal sources? ---Tim Weitzel wrote: > ....Otherwise, look for > TSI, Inc. distribuiting out of Seattle or Bartlett & Co. distributing out > of Chicago. TSI isn't bad. I've been getting a lot from Greiger's lately, out of, um, Pasadena, I think. And Reactive Metals has some way cool stuff. Platinum, Niobium, etc. in sheet, wire and findings. Kassia Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1998 21:55:37 PST From: "T Cardy" To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu Subject: Re: Brass help For a good source of assorted metals: gold, silver platinum, gold filled and jewelers brass (in wire up to 10ga for brass and 16ga in sheets). Try www.riogrande.com - register on their site for free and they will send you a set of catalogues (I spent hours pouring through them). I have ordered a lot of jewelry findings from them - very knowledgable people who really want to help you! Timothy Van Vlear From: Rick Drake Date: May 24, 2006 11:09:46 AM CDT To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] Brass Sheet From: Jean Paul de Sens <<< So, where does everyone buy their brass sheets at ? I'm looking for a good source of inexpensive brass in quasi bulk sizes. Basically, several square feet in the .040-.060 thickness, mainly for armour embellishment. >>> This is where I got my latest order of brass sheet. They seem to have a pretty large selection and may be able to help you out. http://www.metalliferous.com/index.htm Ainar From: Chris Zakes Date: May 24, 2006 4:54:30 PM CDT To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] Brass Sheet > So, where does everyone buy their brass sheets at ? I'm looking for > a good > source of inexpensive brass in quasi bulk sizes. Basically, several > square feet in the .040-.060 thickness, mainly for armour > embellishment. > > JP If you live in a larger city, I'd suggest checking the Yellow Pages for "Metal Distributors" or something similar. If that doesn't work, McMaster-Carr (http://www.mcmaster.com/) sells pretty much *everything*. -Tivar Moondragon From: Lori Campbell Date: May 24, 2006 4:57:54 PM CDT To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] Brass Sheet I used to use Swest Inc. in Dallas, but I seem to remember hearing that they've gone out of business. Over the past few years I've had good luck with Monsterslayer.com. They have red brass, yellow brass and copper in sheets. http://www.monsterslayer.com/miscpages/Cop&BrasS&W.htm Kat >^.,.^< From: Hillary Greenslade Date: May 24, 2006 6:44:41 PM CDT To: ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] Brass Sheet Two kinds of brass, 'red brass' (higher copper content) & 'yellow brass' (higher tin content, more gold color); different vendors may carry either or one only, so know which one you want. Metalliforus is good, as mentioned: http://www.metalliferous.com/ index.html I think you can also buy it at Rio Grande Jewelry Supply, though their catalog is not online, you can call them: www.riogrande.com Also, check out Indian Jewelry Supply at: http://www.ijsinc.com/ Catalog online, and they will send you a CD catalog; didn't see yellow brass on their page. Also, some of the smaller hardware stores, like Ace, will carry a display from 'K&S' metals company, in a white and red container, with all shapes and sizes of brass and steel sheet, tubes, wires, etc. They are reasonably priced; and would be local. Hillary Edited by Mark S. Harris metal-sources-msg Page 5 of 5