where to find perforated metal sheets?

[Fungi]

I'm having a lot of trouble finding some affordable thin metal perforated sheets. I'm looking for round, diamond, or hexagonal openings in aluminum, brass, copper, or even plastic. As far as scale, I guess, think 1:10th semi exhaust pipe. I found some really interesting things at mcmaster carr but I don't want to spend $109 for a minimum 12" x 24" of it. I read there are dish washer filters with this material but I have not found any repair places that had any junked machines to salvage them from. Any ideas? Photo etch is so expensive and small... I try to use only salvaged, found, or junk parts for my robot builds. Thanks!

View attachment 132116

 

[urumomo]

Did you look on Amazon ?
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=perforat...rated+meta,aps,174&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_15

 

[Fungi]

The dish washer thingy.

 

[Fungi]

Did you look on Amazon ?
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=perforated+metal+sheets&crid=3CIGBX4EZX2DV&sprefix=perforated+meta,aps,174&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_15

yeah, that stuff is all really big...

 

[urumomo]

smaller than that dishwasher stuff .
1 and 1.5 mm
how small do you need ?

 

[urumomo]

https://www.amazon.com/PATIKIL-Stai...rated+meta,aps,174&sr=8-80&xpid=sywy4K10cAruE

 

[urumomo]

Is 3X6 mm aperture too big ?

https://www.amazon.com/AggAuto-Univ...=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

 

[BarleyBop]

I don't know how many hours I've wasted on Amazon looking for things when I don't know the exact search term that will bring me success... Wouldn't it be great if they put AI to good use so it could find things according to your description of intended purpose?

 

[urumomo]

It would be even more helpful if the OP engaged in the convo to assist in the search

 

[BarleyBop]

Touché!
How about 'micro mesh', or 'speaker mesh'? Found some self adhesive mesh for cell phones... probably pieces way too small for robot, but possibly useful for 1:35.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BLNRD4CP...K0V5ZG42159TKJNVE&starsLeft=1&skipTwisterOG=1

 

[urumomo]

Laser and 3d printer beds might be an option .
Don't know how small of an aperture is available .

 

[urumomo]

groovy ,
probably 7/8" diameter circles
but still groovy

https://www.amazon.com/M-D-Building...&sprefix=,aps,151&sr=8-101&xpid=JV6joiiF9VmWR

 

[BarleyBop]

3D printing... in my city, it is free, just pay for materials at the public library... they also have laser cutters you can reserve!

 

[Jakko]

Aber sells photoetched sheets with different sizes of holes, as well as "nets".

 

[BarleyBop]

... like a well stocked beer fridge... you never know when some will come in handy!
And always nice to have variety!

 

[Fungi]

smaller than that dishwasher stuff .
1 and 1.5 mm
how small do you need ?

The mcmaster stuff has 0.016" or 0.46mm holes, and I suspect the dishwasher filter is about the same. Most of what I see on amazon is 1/8" to 1/4" holes. I'm looking to see if anyone has any ideas of where to source such greeble-esque stuff....

 

[urumomo]

McMaster is so friggin expensive .
That .016" is less than1/2 mm
I didn't see anything under 1.5 mm hole size . , unless you go to PE , then it's a cornucopia

I collect stuff like that from dead equipment when possible , like most people .
How much is that dishwasher strainer ? lol

 

[urumomo]

https://www.brasswiremesh.net/brasswiremesh/perforated-metal-sheet.html

 

[Fungi]

It would be even more helpful if the OP engaged in the convo to assist in the search

I am unable to spend a lot of time on the forum. Lucky to get in a few minutes in the morning. I am happy to engage, but apparently not fast enough for you. Sorry... I have searched all commercial options. There are some interesting options if you live in the UK... I was really looking for a heads up on how to find it in the wild. I.e. they use it in xyz equipment. Look for a junked abc machine. I dunno maybe was looking for something that doesn't exist. I was watching a scrap builder kit basher on youtube and he pulls out this big box of all sorts of this type of stuff... I'm sitting here, where dd you find this stuff. It was not little bitty pieces of expensive photo etch. I do not remember the channel. Maybe I will just stick to posting things I build instead of interacting I guess.

 

[urumomo]

lulz ,
it was just snark -- I needed some more details .
You were here and then you weren't