materials for making stuff (specifically a centrifuge

[Alex]

Where's a good place in Houston to buy materials for making stuff? 

I grew up in the suburbs so I only know of Home Depot, Lowe's, Fry's, and Northern Tool. 

I was wondering though if any of y'all might know of less visible stores inside the loop

I'm trying to make a natural rubber centrifuge and a rubber tree tapping tool. I'm looking to buy

plywood

any type of plastic

rubber

metal

Thanks in advance

Alex

[texastiger]

Since I don't know the specific sizes or quantities I will give you a pretty general list of sources:

 

Steel: Triple S steel or Rose Metals. There are a bunch more places around Houston but these two will cover all your needs. Also they sell surplus steel at a discount.

 

Plywood: Can't beat Home Depot or Lowes for run of the mill plywood. If you want fancy stuff like Baltic Birch plywood try Houston Hardwoods.

 

Plastic: This covers alot of ground. You can always mail order through McMaster Carr. Great selection and they ship quick. Same goes for rubber also. There are probably locals sources for plastic and rubber but I have not dealt with any of these locally.

[Alex]

Thanks for the tips. I'll be sure to check out Triple S or Rose metals.

Rubber and plastics are probably the things I am most interested in.

McMaster Carr is great but my project has a deadline right after Thanksgiving so I would prefer to just run into a store. I'm probably going to wind up doing everything at the last minute.

[Mike]

If youre looking for plastic, you may want to try Aero-Shield Plastics. They're at the corner of Hempstead Hwy & Bingle Rd.  I've picked up some sizeable pieces of acrylic stock there before. They have a scrap pile you can dig through usually.