Canadian pen supplies

[darrin1200]

Unfortunately, almost all of the base materials I use to make my pens, come from the US. Even without the current situation, my preference is to support as local as possible. The resin (specifically designed for pen makers) I use is from an American company and at the moment there are no substitutes. I do buy from local suppliers, even to the point of paying extra from a local mom/pop shop, when they have it in stock.
Metal is another issue. We just don’t seem to have small qty suppliers, especially if you have specific needs.
I’m looking for a company similar to “Online Metals”, who I currently buy from.

I use a couple of specific metals for my pen making accents.
792 NickleSilver
510 Phosphor Bronze.
I need these in both thin sheet (1.5mm) and solid rod (6-18mm) and only by a couple of feet in a year. (For now)
The biggest problem I have found, is minimum quantities.

I live near Brockville Ontario, so pick up is limited, but delivery is an option.
Right now I’m looking for a 2ft piece of 8mm (3/8’) phosphor bronze rod.
This piece from Online Metals would be $80CAD, including shipping.

Any suggestions?

 

[PeterT]

Right now I’m looking for a 2ft piece of 8mm (3/8’) phosphor bronze rod.
This piece from Online Metals would be $80CAD, including shipping.

I was going to say that sounds a bit spendy from when I bought, but by the time you tally it 2 ft * ~13 USD/ft * 1.45 FX your'e at ~40 CAD sans shipping, duty, taxes... OLM discounts their shipping a bit to Canadians, so even though it comes UPS there are no added rear end fees (I've ever experienced). Yes, onsey-twosey is the most expensive way to but these materials. I usually save up my grocery list so at least they can share the box. McMaster is about the same price.

https://www.onlinemetals.com/en/buy/bronze-round-bar?q=%3Asize%3AMaterial%3ABronze%3AShape%3ABar-Round%3ADiameter%3A0.375%2522

Just wondering, are you using like 510-H04 or aluminum bronze? (ie. avoiding the oil impregnates / sintered because they probably add no purpose & might even mess up topside finishing). My local Speedy carries 932 = SAE 660 which machines very well. I don't think its the oil carrier stuff. I seem to recall expensive but cheaper than importing as a single stick. But there stock was spotty & usually larger diameter so you just waste material that way. They could 'order it in' but I never pursued. Maybe worth a shot. You are closer to the rust belt

 

[David]

Have you contacted Millennium Specialty Alloys?

 

[Janger]

metal supermarkets? They have a franchise model so you would be buying from a local owner.

 

[darrin1200]

metal supermarkets? They have a franchise model so you would be buying from a local owner.

Unfortunately, they don’t carry the alloy Im looking for, and special orders are really expensive.

 

[darrin1200]

Have you contacted Millennium Specialty Alloys?

It doesn’t look like they carry what I’m looking for. But I did just find a place in Winnipeg. I’ll give them a shout Monday.
New West Metals

Bronze Archives

For over 38 years New West Metals has offered a complete range of Bronze. New West Metals offers one of the largest selections of Bronze in Canada.

newwestmetals.com

 

[darrin1200]

I was going to say that sounds a bit spendy from when I bought, but by the time you tally it 2 ft * ~13 USD/ft * 1.45 FX your'e at ~40 CAD sans shipping, duty, taxes... OLM discounts their shipping a bit to Canadians, so even though it comes UPS there are no added rear end fees (I've ever experienced). Yes, onsey-twosey is the most expensive way to but these materials. I usually save up my grocery list so at least they can share the box. McMaster is about the same price.

https://www.onlinemetals.com/en/buy/bronze-round-bar?q=%3Asize%3AMaterial%3ABronze%3AShape%3ABar-Round%3ADiameter%3A0.375%2522

Just wondering, are you using like 510-H04 or aluminum bronze? (ie. avoiding the oil impregnates / sintered because they probably add no purpose & might even mess up topside finishing). My local Speedy carries 932 = SAE 660 which machines very well. I don't think it’s the oil carrier stuff. I seem to recall expensive but cheaper than importing as a single stick. But there stock was spotty & usually larger diameter so you just waste material that way. They could 'order it in' but I never pursued. Maybe worth a shot. You are closer to the rust belt

I usually try to wait and order a few things at a time as well. right now I am working on a new design project that needs 1/4” round stock.
Yes. I am using the 510-H04. It is what was recommended to me for machineability and the durability of the shine. Slower tarnishing. It’s also available in sheet form, so that I can have the same materials for clips and rings.

 

[gerritv]

Sheet - Nickel Silver 30ga(6015)

Shop our selection of Nickel Silver sheet at competitive prices, with Western Canada's largest supplier, Capilano Rock & Gem.

capilanorock.ca

Jewellery Tools | Material - Metal Material - Copper | Brass | Nickel Silver | Steel - Page 1 - Yu Yo The Artists' Place Inc.

yuyo.ca

Lacy West Supplies, Ltd., Suppliers To Jewellers

With over 14,000 different products at competitive prices, Lacy West is a jewellers, craftspersons, or hobbyists one stop shop.

lacywest.com

Home

New West Metals is a leading Distributor of Specialty Metals and Steels across Canada.

newwestmetals.com

 

[gerritv]

Terra Nova in Mississauga has bronze, not sure if they ship.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

https://materialsplus.com/searchResults?search=Phosphor Bronze

We used to order from Thyssenkrupp a lot at me last job, and it always seemed they could get everything. You might not always like the price, but they could get it. We primarily used them for aluminum, but some bronze and brass a few times as well. McMaster is always an option too, but I checked them against your quote for a 3/8"x2' rod of 510, and they'd be about the same once you figured shipping. You'd have it tomorrow though. But it's not Canadian.....https://www.mcmaster.com/products/metals/bronze~/ultra-strength-easy-to-form-510-bronze-rods/

 

[pdentrem]

Have you tried Cardon in Perth? When I go to and from Ottawa, I stop there almost every time! Racks of off cuts etc. Not too far from Brockville.
I did not search for bronze but I used brass for a quick search.

6 C360 Brass Rod Bars 1/2" x 10" Free Machining for South Bend Lathe Live Steam

This sale is for SIX C360 Brass Round Rod 1/2" x 10" Stock Free Machining for Lathe. WE do not ship to Nunavut, NWT, Yukon as the shipping is much more than we are charging. Thank you A rule may appear in the photographs for size reference only and is not part of this sale. Any manufacturing...

cardontools.ca

 

[darrin1200]

Have you tried Cardon in Perth? When I go to and from Ottawa, I stop there almost every time! Racks of off cuts etc. Not too far from Brockville.
I did not search for bronze but I used brass for a quick search.

6 C360 Brass Rod Bars 1/2" x 10" Free Machining for South Bend Lathe Live Steam

This sale is for SIX C360 Brass Round Rod 1/2" x 10" Stock Free Machining for Lathe. WE do not ship to Nunavut, NWT, Yukon as the shipping is much more than we are charging. Thank you A rule may appear in the photographs for size reference only and is not part of this sale. Any manufacturing...

cardontools.ca

I haven’t been to Cardon in a while. I used to stop in when we would have our Sunday woodworker breakfasts in Carlton Place.
I did a quick site search but found nothing.
I think I did buys some brass there before. I find them great for those one off surprise buys, not so much for regular supplier.

 

[darrin1200]

Sheet - Nickel Silver 30ga(6015)

Shop our selection of Nickel Silver sheet at competitive prices, with Western Canada's largest supplier, Capilano Rock & Gem.

capilanorock.ca

Jewellery Tools | Material - Metal Material - Copper | Brass | Nickel Silver | Steel - Page 1 - Yu Yo The Artists' Place Inc.

yuyo.ca

Lacy West Supplies, Ltd., Suppliers To Jewellers

With over 14,000 different products at competitive prices, Lacy West is a jewellers, craftspersons, or hobbyists one stop shop.

lacywest.com

Home

New West Metals is a leading Distributor of Specialty Metals and Steels across Canada.

newwestmetals.com

The jewellery suppliers are, unfortunately, usually very expensive, and limited. I usually order my jewelry tools from Lacy, or Gesswein.
I am going to contact NewWest on Monday.

 

[darrin1200]

https://materialsplus.com/searchResults?search=Phosphor Bronze

We used to order from Thyssenkrupp a lot at me last job, and it always seemed they could get everything. You might not always like the price, but they could get it. We primarily used them for aluminum, but some bronze and brass a few times as well. McMaster is always an option too, but I checked them against your quote for a 3/8"x2' rod of 510, and they'd be about the same once you figured shipping. You'd have it tomorrow though. But it's not Canadian.....https://www.mcmaster.com/products/metals/bronze~/ultra-strength-easy-to-form-510-bronze-rods/

McMaster is about 30% more than OLM.
Thyssenkrupp Doesn’t appear to carry the 510 in Canada.
I still would prefer buying, at least, from a Canadian supplier if I can.