Aluminium plate

[Gerhard]

Does anybody know where I can find aluminium plate. I think 3mm thick should work. I might want to have some milling done as well, holes, cut-outs etc.

Thanks.

[Hein]

Ja, what grade? Dimensions? What finish?

[Gerhard]

Uhm, uh,

Finish - brushed black.

Grade? - not a clue. It will be used as a back plate for active speakers with amps and other electronics mounted on them. It will be out of site - not like a face plate for an amp so I guess a lower grade?

[Timber_MG]

Try a laser cutting place and have all the cut outs put in. Let it go for anodizing et voila (don't know whether one can buy black ali plate)

[ghostinthemachine]

Can anybody here recommend a good place for laser cutting alu plate? I am interested as well. I know of one place in PTA but thats it...

[Byrd]

I have spoken to some laser cutters. They have said it would be better to mill / watersaw the items. They said laser cutting alu would be alot more expensive than cutting steel as the heat absorption is much higher. The finsih is also apparently not that great.

Maybe I was just talking to the wrong people though.

[Gerhard]

We first need to find the plates!

Milling/cutting etc. comes later. I'm not scared, I'll somme get one of these http://www.executool.co.za/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=921 (or these: http://www.executool.co.za/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=309_310_312&products_id=1246 - I've got a compressor...) and mill (read file) myself

[ludo]

For just a raw plate, NFM (Non-Ferrous Metals) in Pta West. Getting it anodised black, you gotta know somebody, sorry.

The sheets are large and expensive. If you speak nicely to Nate (I guess he's still there and always will be) he might find an offcut for you, but I don't think he'll make one.

~2mm is OK if you're not playing football with it. I always just wipe with acetone, sand, paint with gray metal primer, satin black, and matt clear coat. Lasts forever. I think, we'll see. I'd offer you some but there's little left now and somewhat scratched.

Lettering? Hell no. This is DIY. Label printer?

Dew, you thinking of LaserWise? Apparently Alu is a bit difficult if it has to be decorative, like Byrd said. It sputters or something. That's what I heard from them. I'm sure it can be done right, but often the main problem is that the company mission statement starts with: "In the beginning, there was the minimum order..."

[chris]

MetalsCentre in Selby, they cut any size you need, so you don't have to buy the whole plate.

[Gerhard]

Thanks guys. I'll give them both a call.

[mafioso]

I need one of these. I got one quote out of 8 enquiries made but the quote was not for everything. When they got to R1'000+, I sez "Whoa!!, what else?" and the guy said only three items more. These okes are mal.

This is a faceplate from the MR-711 which was severly buckled and bent. I got most of the wrinkles out with G-clamps, aluminium flatbar and my bench vise. I should be able to sand it down and give it a brushed finish with those 3M sanding pads. How to put the legends on still ? and varnish it clear to prevent it from oxidising.

Black aluminium btw, is anodised and dyed that way, btw. Black tint is one of the most expensive of the anodising dyes. A certain brand of clothes dye is suposed to work but the brand is nowhere to be found. The brand "Lady Di" doesn't work and neither does black printer ink.

I think the most practical and cheapest would be to prepare the aluminium as suggested higher up and just paint it black.

mafioso

[Mervin]

Guys Hein is your answer... in the audio game and very knowledge-able (no F7) and helpfull

[Gerhard]

He was the first to respond. Hopefully he'll do so again

I forgot - he wanted dimensions. I'm not sure yet - probably around 200x300 or 400mm.

[Byrd]

Just for plate, try aluminium city as well

[Hein]

Guys Hein is your answer... in the audio game and very knowledge-able (no F7) and helpfull

Thanks Merv!

Gerhard, send me a drawing... Depending on the complexity - Water-jet, Laser or milling...
Whatever your heart desires!
Black anodising - As long as we get the right grade of Ali... The "standard" stuff will probably turn blue...

I've done almost everything imaginable with Ali - Even did some signage for a few places...