NW WA Meet / BS Thread

Metal Shorts have good prices because they sell remnants. http://www.metalshorts.com/
There is a place in Ballard as well but I can't remember there name. I will look.
Pacific industrial sell remnants and recycled stuff, that would be a good place to check. If you get tired of looking for the crazy good deal call Doug at Specialty Metals and try to sweet talk him in to a discount.

 

You are hauling a lot more weight than Brian?

 

I get most of my stuff from Online Metals in Ballard. Not the cheapest, but they're fast, make it easy to order exactly what bits I need off their website, and offer free will-call pickup. They usually have a 10-20% discount code floating around, I can see if I have one to PM you if you want. They used to have a lot of drops and random bits next to will-call for free, not there anymore, have to ask next time I'm there.

 

SKIDS?
You don’t need skids!

You are JIM SNELL goddammit!

Rocks turn to gravel at the mere sight of you!
You once made Chuck Norris cry!
Skids. Phhfffft.

 

Ballard Hardware I believe is what you're thinking of

 

Why aluminum skids?

 

Good point. After repairing @Nimitz skid I'm glad I opted for steel.

 

It was online metals. I do buy a ton of tools from Ballard Hardware though. The yearly salmon BBQ is awesome.

 

Man crushes

 

Quick answer: The GM of your local dealer, regardless of your experience, is in the business of making money. If he offered you a price, regardless of how silly it may seem, he's making money. Rule #1 of negotiation is that the first price they offer is hardly ever the lowest they'll go. Call the dealer down the highway (I5 Toyota I think?) tell them the price, and ask if they can beat it. An offer, on paper, is leverage.

 

One hit and they’re “done”. I’ve landed on my skid directly, more than once. Although most were not toooooo hard, one (that dented the skid) would have pierced alum no doubt in my mind. I normally don’t jump too much on what other people want for their trucks (it’s not my truck/money so to each their own I say) BUT if you intend to ever really need your skid, I would highly recommend steel. (Hope this isn’t seen as a rant, just don’t like people potentially setting them self up for something other than success)

 

Can I ask how many times you've dropped your truck on aluminum skids? Mine are pretty scratched up from dragging on rocks, and have a couple "dings" from dropping on stuff, but they're still holding up well.

I have the 1/4" RCI skids.

That said, I was the one that broke @Nimitz 's skid. A weld split after pushing through a pile of pea gravel type stuff. Called RCI, told them what was up, and the sent me a new skid with that area reinforced.

 

Steel>Aluminum. After the rubicon both my 3/16" steel mid and tcase skids were bowed. BAMF skids are great except for Jimmy Snell who's going to make his own.
Only time i'd go aluminum is if you are mostly overlanding.

 

That's a solid point. I wouldn't take my aluminum skids on shit like the Rubicon. For roots and the occasional rocks, I dig them.

 

When have you drug your GX over rocks?

 

Tahuya and while letting my wife drive up to Gallagher. She's not the best at choosing lines. I'm only lifted about 2" up front, and my "33s" are actually about 32.25s so my skid is real close to the ground.

You'd be proud, I even have gouges in the bottom of my sliders

 

Only when the tire comes off the bead and ground clearance is reduced to zero.

 

I ran the price by Michael’s and Titus Will, they both scoffed at me and said take the deal. They’ll make money on my trade, I don’t mind that. I get the new truck for less than invoice plus Sleepy Jay’s portion. This is a “hardly ever” offer, in my sadly too well experienced history. I appreciate you looking out though!

 

Online metals is the name in ballard. Good prices can will call or ups it. Online ordering only. Industrial supply in tukwila had some good aluminum sheets in stock the other day. I say stainless steel if you are goin to go all out.

 

How big of a press do you have access too? I might need one that could hand 36" or so....probably just 1/4" aluminum.