Where can I buy raw materials to use in the RPC and Shop?

Materials for the RPC

  • CNC milling machines (Bridgeport, Taurus, and the KOMO) - The Bridgeort, and the Taurus typically handle different types of foams (Blue and Pink foam, REN board, Proto foam, and Last-A-Foam.) The KOMO can cut most flat stock materials (plywoods, MDF, particle board, masonite, polycarbonate, acrylic...), foam (same as the Bridgeprot, and Taurus), and aluminum.
  • Laser cutter - The laser cutters can cut acrylic, wood products (hardwoods, MDF, bass wood, balsa wood, higher grade/quality plywoods), paper products (chipboard, cardboard, bristol paper...), and different types of fabrics.

    • The RPC does not cut used material except under special circumstances.

    Materials for the Shop:

    The range of materials that can be used in the shop is even greater than in the RPC, especially with metal. There are certain types of materials you want to avoid using or take precautions when useing. One material that you CAN NOT use is pressure treated wood. The chemicals used in the preservation process become airborne through the sawdust created when cutting and is known to cause irritation to the skin and lungs if inhaled. Also, using galvinized steel for "Heat" operations (welding, plasma cutting, oxy-acetalyn cutting, abrasive cutting...) can be dangerous. The steel is coated in zinc which serves as a protective layer to prevent rusting. But during "heat" operations the zinc will let off a toxic gas which is very harmful to the human body. To prevent this from happening simply remove the coating via wire wheel on a bench grinder or angle grinder. Another material to use caution with is "used" wood. This is wood that has nails and/or screws in them. Cutting this material and hitting a nail/screw will cause the blade to chip and could cause bodily harm due to flying debris.

    Materials:

    So, where do you go to buy your raw materials to use in RPC/Shop in the Cincinnati area?

    Woods (hardwood, plywood, basswood...)

    • Paxton: Address: 7455 Dawson Rd, Cincinnati Ohio. 45243. Phone: (513) 984-8200
    • Hyde Park Lumber: Address: 3360 Red Bank Rd, Cincinnati Ohio. 45227. Phone: (513) 271-1500
    • Doppes Building Materials: Address: 1001 Dalton Ave, Cincinnati Ohio. 45203. Phone: (513) 421-4850
    • Lowes: (multiple locations)
    • Home Depot: (multiple locations)
    • Unicorn Miniatures: Note: (Sells specialty basswood) Address: 1028 Delta Ave, Cincinnati Ohio. 45208. Phone: (513) 871-2823

     

    Plastics (acrylic, polycarbonate...)

     

    Metals (steel, aluminum...)

    • Ackerman Steel Co: Note (Only sells stock lengths, but ask about "drop-off's") Address: 11149 Adwood Dr
      Cincinnati, OH 45240 Phone: (513) 648-0880
    • American Metal Supply Co: Note (Only sells stock lengths, but ask about "drop-off's") Address: 11337 Williamson Road
      Blue Ash, OH 45241 Phone: (513) 396-6600
    • Metal Supermarkets: Address: 4766 Dues DriveUnit C, Cincinnati, OH 45246 Phone: (513) 942-8222
    • Garden Street Iron and Metal: (Salvage Yard): Address: 2815 Spring Grove Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45225 Phone: (513) 721-4660
    • Lowes: (multiple locations)
    • Home Dopot: (multiple locations)

     

    Hardware (nuts, bolts...)

    • McMaster-Carr
    • Fastenall: (multiple locations)
    • Grainger: Address: 939 W. 8th St.
      Cincinnati, OH 45203-1131 Phone: (513) 621-3900
    • Becks:Hardware and Paint: Note (bring your shop id and recieve 10% off purchase) Address: 718 East McMillan Cincinnati, OH 45206 Phone: (513) 961-5773
    • Doppes Building Materials: Address: 1001 Dalton Ave. Cincinnati Ohio. 45203 Phone (513) 421-4850
    • Campwashington Hardware: Address: 2915 Colerain Ave Cincinnati, OH 45225 Phone: (513) 541-4406
    • Lowes: (multiple locations)
    • Home Depot: (multiple locations)