Metal for Robotics

Hi,

I am building robots for myself and for my school team and am looking for reasonably priced metal, preferably aluminum tubing and or siding. I would also like if possible to know about places available to work the metal. What are the best places in my area to get such goods for a reasonable price?

Step 1 is to determine what strength you need then you can investigate tube or shape of many different materials, not only metals. There are dozens of possible choices. You can find some idea of prices from companies like W.W. Grainger. I strongly suggest that you borrow a catalogue or get one from one of their stores, as it will be much easier for a beginner to leaf thru the large catalogue than to flip thru screens at www.grainger.com their current internet site. From the level of your question, you have a great deal of learning ahead of you as power sources and transmissions are a far greater acquisition and design problem to be solved. Job shop prices for machining are very high for one of a kind parts unless someone on the team's relative owns a shop or has a hobby in his garage.