I posted this to another thread, but it may be useful here as well. We have put together an index of useful metal working-related web sites at
http://ranier.hq.nasa.gov/Metal/MetalSites.html
There are links to lots of suppliers and materials sources. Another resources for electronic components and other robot-related items is
http://ranier.hq.nasa.gov/teleroboti...netrobots.html
-dave