Materials cost is constantly going up. Scrap yards are increasingly becoming unfriendly places for the hobby machinist. I am soon retiring, and have a question for the members.
What common scrap sources do you have for materials like stainless, cast iron, free machining steel, brass or aluminum? I don’t mean cutoffs from the local machine shop, there aren’t many local machine shops left. I mean what can I look for in finding cast iron for engine cylinders? What has stainless steel big enough for a flywheel? For example: There is a heavy Equipment repair shop down the road from me, and another that I pass on the way to work (for a few more months). What might they have to scrap/throw away that I could use?
My favorite sources? I never turn away an inkjet printer, they have nice shafting, gears, and some sheet metal. I have gotten several treadmills from Freecycle that had good heavy motors and controllers.
Chuck in E. TN