Best prices on alloy?

**HarryChiling** · 08-24-2010, 06:23 PM

I have an account that has a lab in store and he desperately needs alloy. Anyone know where I can score some alloy for a decent price?

**MikeAurelius** · 08-24-2010, 07:25 PM

Call McMaster Carr in Chicago. They stock it at market prices *unlike "some" places who charge double and triple market price*

I buy both 158 and 117 from them. Always in stock and they take MasterCard and Visa.

**HarryChiling** · 08-24-2010, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by MikeAurelius

Call McMaster Carr in Chicago. They stock it at market prices *unlike "some" places who charge double and triple market price*

I buy both 158 and 117 from them. Always in stock and they take MasterCard and Visa.

Thanks, I need the 117 working with plastics and all, but good to know.

**FVCCHRIS** · 08-24-2010, 09:03 PM

Whats Alloy? Isn't that a plant you rub on a cut? :shiner:

**MikeAurelius** · 08-25-2010, 08:06 AM

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/116/3599/=8k1zhw

McMaster part number: 88635K2 - $87.34 per half pound ingot (117 degree indium alloy)

158 alloy 8921K12 - $46.41 per ingot (approx 1 pound)

**morinput** · 08-25-2010, 08:15 PM

a few years back I did a ton of research on this, AIM beat all companies, foreign and domestic by a sizable margin http://www.aimspecialty.com search for fusible alloys, I think it was AIM 47.

**MikeAurelius** · 08-26-2010, 08:29 AM

WOW -- just talked to AIM...800-225-5246 - Brian.

117 is AIM 47, $ 78.00 per pound
158 is AIM 70, $ 25.00 per pound

Minimum order is $250.00, they take Visa/MasterCard.

They've got my business!!

**DragonLensmanWV** · 08-26-2010, 08:40 AM

I had gotten some from Optisource for around $270 for three pounds.

**Uncle Fester** · 08-26-2010, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by FVCCHRIS

Whats Alloy? Isn't that a plant you rub on a cut? :shiner:

The metal blockers we now put tape on used to be made by holding the lens against a molding devise that you'd extrude an alloy into thereby making a blocker right on the lens. Not being a lab rat I think this is what they're talking about.

**scriptfiller** · 08-26-2010, 12:47 PM

Thanks for the info on alloy suppliers. My two labs are getting a little low, now I know of some good sources.

**Chris Ryser** · 08-26-2010, 12:49 PM

Indium Alloys Suppliers

Displaying 1 to 25 out of 25 results

http://www.thomasnet.com/products/in...1198407-1.html

also
Indium Corporation

Americas

Phone: +1 315-853-4900 or 800-4-INDIUM
Fax: 315-853-1000 or 800-221-5759
E-mail: askus@indium.com
Shipping: Indium Corporation, 1676 Lincoln Ave, Utica, NY US 13502
Mailing: Indium Corporation, POB 269 Utica, NY US 13503
Get Directions

Phone: +1 315-853-4900 or 800-4-INDIUM
Fax: 315-853-1000 or 800-221-5759
E-mail: askus@indium.com
Shipping & Mailing: Indium Corporation, 34 Robinson Rd. Clinton, NY 13323
Get Directions

Read more: http://www.indium.com/corporate/cont...#ixzz0xjgbWK3C

**MikeAurelius** · 08-26-2010, 12:55 PM

Just curious Chris, is this all you have to do all day long, surf the internet and look things up for people? Don't you have a business to run?

**braheem24** · 08-26-2010, 01:19 PM

I'm sure his help is appreciated, Comments like that are not necessary.

**Chris Ryser** · 08-26-2010, 01:21 PM

Actually Mike I do run a business and believe I am not so bad at it.........................but also do R&D and have lots of resources at my fingertips, The OptiBoard just takes a few minutes here and there and when you see my first post in the am you are still having sweet dreams.

**DragonLensmanWV** · 08-26-2010, 02:07 PM

What I want to know is:
When you use the alloy and use a reclaim tank, some of the elements of the alloy are dispersed, hence your alloy becomes sludgey. Why can't someone analyze what gets leached out and make a "pep-up-pill" for your alloy to restore it to it's former magnificence?
Instead, they (the manufacturers) want you to pay exorbitant shipping fees to send it back to them for recycling, for which they pay you nothing. Something's not quite right there.

**Judy Canty** · 08-26-2010, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by MikeAurelius

Just curious Chris, is this all you have to do all day long, surf the internet and look things up for people? Don't you have a business to run?

Pot? Kettle?

**BobK** · 08-26-2010, 02:26 PM

Practical Systems. I just paid $87.75 / lb for 117 alloy

**Chris Ryser** · 08-26-2010, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by DragonLensmanWV

Why can't someone analyze what gets leached out and make a "pep-up-pill" for your alloy to restore it to it's former magnificence?

.

Best comparison would be the human eye........................take a pep-up pill to put the eye back into a young stage and our dear patients would need no more glasses, and we could do with the old alloy.

**Chris Ryser** · 08-26-2010, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by CuriousCat

Pot? Kettle?

Neither one.................green beans, potatoes and "Filet Mignons" on the BBQ

**MikeAurelius** · 08-26-2010, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by DragonLensmanWV

What I want to know is:
When you use the alloy and use a reclaim tank, some of the elements of the alloy are dispersed, hence your alloy becomes sludgey. Why can't someone analyze what gets leached out and make a "pep-up-pill" for your alloy to restore it to it's former magnificence?
Instead, they (the manufacturers) want you to pay exorbitant shipping fees to send it back to them for recycling, for which they pay you nothing. Something's not quite right there.

We "clean" our alloy by skimming all the sludge daily then once a week, we reclaim it ourselves with a mixture of vinegar and water (50/50) heated to 30 degrees above alloy melting point. The vinegar seems to pull a lot of the crap out. Once we started doing that, our alloy losses were cut by better than 95%. The remaining "dirt" is rinsed once more with water to remove any remaining polish and abrasive debris, then disposed of with our glass grindings (properly handled by a 'special waste' hauler).

**sharpstick777** · 08-26-2010, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by DragonLensmanWV

What I want to know is:
When you use the alloy and use a reclaim tank, some of the elements of the alloy are dispersed, hence your alloy becomes sludgey. Why can't someone analyze what gets leached out and make a "pep-up-pill" for your alloy to restore it to it's former magnificence? Instead, they (the manufacturers) want you to pay exorbitant shipping fees to send it back to them for recycling, for which they pay you nothing. Something's not quite right there.

Great idea! Any business ambitions yourself?