Comments on: I have material needs

Question: I have material needs

trinity8-director — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:27:46 -0800

What stores in the Seattle region are like TAP Plastics but for other materials?

I'm interesting in finding material-specific retailers along the line of TAP Plastics. I do know of a foam rubber store, for example. What about other rubber products? Aluminum, sheet metal, etc.

I'm not talking about what I can find at Lowe's or Home Depot, or even McLendon's -- although they do carry many more esoteric items.

For example, I was thinking of building a custom aluminum hard case if I could get my hands on the corners, edges, textured sheets, etc.

I'm also wishing I could get rubber in various thicknesses/hardnesses for home projects. (I love stall mats but those are usually too thick and too big.)

By: hattifattener

hattifattener — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:38:19 -0800

Online Metals' shop is just south of the Ballard bridge, and you can pick up orders in person.

The U district has Ali & Joe's Friendly Foam Shop, which is probably what you're referring to in your question.

There are still some contractors' supply stores along Stone Way, and they will usually sell to the public.

There used to be a place called Metal Shorts in Sodo that would sell you random offcuts for cheap. I don't know if they're still there.

I assume you're aware of Hardwick's.

By: The corpse in the library

The corpse in the library — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 12:05:33 -0800

Creation Station has some interesting stuff. It's aimed at artists and teachers, not manufacturers, but it's worth a visit.

By: sculpin

sculpin — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:51:32 -0800

MacPherson Leather is useful.

By: humboldt32

humboldt32 — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:04:18 -0800

Alaskan Copper and Brass.

By: The corpse in the library

The corpse in the library — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:08:59 -0800

Seattle Fabrics specializes in outdoor fabrics. There's a similar shop in... Mukilteo? Tukwilla? Somewhere around here, where you can get swimsuit fabric by the yard; I can track that store down if you're interested.

By: trinity8-director

trinity8-director — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:48:53 -0800

Good stuff. Keep 'em coming.

By: humboldt32

humboldt32 — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 16:14:15 -0800

Edensaw in Port Townsend specializes in exotic hardwoods.

By: Tube

Tube — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 07:14:12 -0800

Pacific Industrial in South Park.

By: hattifattener

hattifattener — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 11:58:40 -0800

Hm, Pacific Industrial's website says they have a surplus yard. I'm sure it's no substitute for the late lamented Boeing Surplus (whose bounty grows in my memory with each passing year) but how good is it?