where can i get scrap pieces of metal from to make skid plates and that kind of stuff. Could i get it for free close to Arlington heights. I think alummiun is the stuff i should use correct?

steal road signs lol

You can find metal stock at lowes. They have an assortmant of alumnum rods/flat and sheets as well as steel.

how much is it?

Depends on what you want to buy. They have smaller pieces and long thick pieces. The price ranges from the material to the size. Not a lot. A few $ for the smaller stuff. The diamond plate is expensive though.

make sure u get good aluminum, 6061 or 7075, anything else will prolly just bend too easily

Look under "metals" in the phone book the stuff you buy at the hardware store is junk. It does not have the alloys to withstand our type of abuse, its far to soft it scratches easy and bends. It might work ok in your application though.

Call and ask for 6061 grade T6 aluminum. Its the same stuff most chassis and hop up parts are made of.

Another good way to get metal is www.Onlinemetals.com

home depot, menards, even ace has flat stock. i used a small piece of dimond plate to make skids for my first maxx.

just go to a metal yeard or sumthing.....i go to them when i need something small i could take 50pounds or metal/aluminum and they give it to me cuz to them that is nothing at all...but make sure its a scrap place and they will give u what u want as long as your nice to them

can i make skid plates, front bumpers, and roll cages out of 6061 t5 without woring that i will spend money on metal and time to make and have to break or bend fast