When it comes to buying aluminum blocks, there are a lot of different considerations for any company to take a closer look at before placing an order. In North America, there are different options to consider, some which are a good choice and some which are far more uncertain as to the quality of aluminum block that will arrive.
When deciding where to buy aluminum blocks, a quick online search is often the most effective way to narrow down your options. However, what you will often find are international companies that are selling aluminum blocks and shipping from their country.
The obvious issue with this, as with any type of metal, is that the small cost savings due to the exchange rate or even the price can be completely wiped out by the shipping costs. Even with low shipping rates, the delay between ordering and international shipping is often unmanageable for a business unless you are buying large numbers of blocks at a time.
Alloys and Sizes
Another factor of where to buy aluminum blocks will focus in on the size of the blocks available as well as the options in alloys. Standard alloys are typically easier to find than specialized alloys, which will also lead to longer turnaround times, even through a North American distributor.
There are some distributors that work very closely with the aluminum manufacturers. Top companies can often offer just days in turnaround time for these orders, plus they may also be capable of handling custom sized blocks as well.
Quality
Always think about quality when determining where to buy aluminum blocks. By working with a distributor that sells products from a particular aluminum manufacturer, there is a quality guarantee. Ask the metal supplier or aluminum specialty supplier for information on the manufacturer and do your research before placing your order.