Need a large (5 foot) metal disc, any ideas?

Herring · Post by **Herring** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 3:40 pm

For my art project I need a 4' - 6' metal disc, but I always prefer to reuse scrap then cut new sheet metal. Can anyone think of industrial use for a large metal disc? Could be flat, or frisbee shaped or plate shaped. If anyone can think of an industrial use for something like I'm describing, I'd love to call some places and ask if they have an old... whatever it is... that I can use in my sculpture before I make one myself from scratch.

Anyone have any ideas on what I could use/re-use?

Anything that points me in the right direction would be invaluable, thanks in advance!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 3:43 pm

Where do quosat huts go to die?

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 3:49 pm

do you think you could find an old round metal patio table somewhere? would a hole in the middle be a bad thing?

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 4:26 pm

Get a satellite dish and run over it a few times.

Herring · Post by **Herring** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 4:29 pm

Oh wow, a patio table is such a good idea! A hole in the middle is actually preferable for attachment purposes and possible rotation... yeah that might be perfect.

Though metal table tops are typically a little thicker than what I need, an old satellite dish might be better if I can find one with some give to it.

Thanks for the help so far, y'all. Other ideas are definitely still welcome, the more brains working collectively the better!

Post by **mdmf007** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:16 pm

Depending on how thick you need it - a sheet of steel 5x10 at our local yard in 16g was 88 bucks. find someone with a plasma torch and you have a disk in about 10 minutes.

Rice · Post by **Rice** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:46 pm

How about trying a metal scrap yard???

Post by **Sham** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 7:28 pm

Herring wrote:Though metal table tops are typically a little thicker than what I need, an old satellite dish might be better if I can find one with some give to it.

Sometimes the joblot type stores carry the crappy tables that are rather inexpensive.
You may find just what you need in the lower end stores.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:50 pm

Car roof.
Cut to measure.

I have seen discs, but rare.

ellorbito · Post by **ellorbito** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 11:31 am

Try an auto wrecking yard. Grab the roof off of some old american beater.
Maybe a train yard too.

socks · Post by **socks** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:08 pm

Concrete finishers use large metal pans up to 5 feet You might try them

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:29 pm

Maybe those metal caps they put on top of furnace chimneys. Not sure if they come that large. Definitely hit up scrap metal yards and keep your eye on things like craigslist and freecycle. There's always someone looking to get rid of some weird thing that's been sitting in their yard for years.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 7:23 pm

Dork wrote:Maybe those metal caps they put on top of furnace chimneys. ...

Those are called China Hats.

StevenGoodman · Post by **StevenGoodman** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:35 pm

Go find a OLD 1960s hard drive platter. Yes, they used to be that big. I have seen old ones used as tables at Stanford University back in the 70s.

Martini Steve