For prototyping parts in metal, a laser cutter comes in dang handy…if you can afford one. For those of you who can't yet justify the cost, yet would like to make prototypes out of metal, an outsourcing service called SendCutSend offers an affordable alternative with speedy delivery times.

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They stock a variety of metals--aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, cold rolled carbon steel and hot rolled carbon steel--in at least two different thicknesses. Brass and copper max out at a 4'x4' sheet, while the other metals can go up to 4'x10'.

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You can upload your design to get a quote. The company accepts vector files in AI, DXF, DWG, or SVG file formats. Once they've received your design, they'll review it and contact you if they have any questions; if they don't, they'll send you a quote. Once you sign off on it, they'll cut your part(s) and ship them to you in three days or less.

Check them out here.