I think I got a small square of aluminum sheet from Turner’s Hardware.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Turner+Hardware/@32.9235528,-96.884877,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x864c27a6047a10e1:0x54a19be397dcbbd7!6m1!1e1
There’s what I believe to be donated/discards/scrap aluminum over by the Shapeoko on the floor behind the Haas.
Don’t know if others know, but I just found out that aluminum gauge is different than steel gauge.
http://www.custompartnet.com/sheet-metal-gauge
Not knowing what your project is, I’m not sure how important the difference might be.
Since you also state .030" that will be the same for any material. 
Some suggestions without solid research, and really just to spitball:
- the HAAS discard barrel sometimes has stuff this big; the practice bin may, as well, and I think either of those are fair game.
Some things which might work, but I can’t find their thickness (stated authoritatively online, a person would have to measure):
-
* Aluminum can bottom (you'd have to flatten it, and I have no idea how thick they are);
* aluminum [gutter pieces](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerimax-Home-Products-5-in-White-Aluminum-30-Degree-Right-End-Cap-5ENR30W/205604986?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-205627125-_-205604986-_-N) (no idea how thick they are);
* aluminum [tubing](http://www.lowes.com/pd_121641-85334-VTL0001_1z0vj5n__?productId=4129922) for dryers, etc.
* chunk of a cheap-ass frying pan (no idea how thick they are, but the cheaper the better for this purpose).
-
* layers of aluminum can;
* layers of [aluminum flashing](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerimax-Home-Products-10-in-x-10-ft-Mill-Finish-Aluminum-Roll-Valley-68310/100054269);
* layers of [this](http://www.homedepot.com/p/MD-Hobby-and-Craft-6-in-x-9-in-Aluminum-Sheet-57507/205833444) 6"x9" sheet from HD
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Home depot? 20 Characters
Here’s a few sources covering: Steel, Stainless Steel, Galvanized Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Brass, and Zinc. I never think in gauge since thickness was always specified in Inches or Metric decimal units.
Gauges, weights, and tolerances for various metals ,
Steel, Galvanized Steel, SS, Alum, Zinc
SS, Al, Cu, Brass
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check a thrift store for the broiling pan from a toaster oven
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Online Metals charges $4 per sq ft and will sell you a 1"x2" piece for $0.10
You can have local pick up to avoid shipping charges.
https://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=1239&step=4&showunits=inches&id=76&top_cat=60
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1216 Dolton Dr #101, Dallas, TX 75207
They have a discard shelf with an odd assortment of metals. You for it by weight.
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Nice, thanks. They do plastic as well and local pickup is in Grand Prairie.
Really, easiest thing is to go to Turner Hardware (now Westlake Ace Hardware) and grab one of the hobby aluminum sheets from K&S. Should be on the back aisle of the store away from the front doors, a couple of rows to the left, on an endcap. Probably cost a couple dollars for a ~6" by 12" sheet.
They will sell the same K&S sheets at most decent hobby stores as well.
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I just disassembled one of the treasures I got at the warehouse. Not sure how thick the alumin needs to be, but I salvaged several pieces >6" x 12". Saved them, if you want them, let me know where to leave. If you have a tub in the galley could put it in there for you.
PM if you’d like it.
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On a related note, I need a big sheet of aluminum. 4x8 feet, 1mm (18ga). The sources listed above work well for that?
Have you found the metal? I have what looks like flashing for gutter. It is thin and free.About 24 inched by maybe 6 to 8 foot long.
Thanks all! As luck would have it, we replaced our roof last week and the gutters are being replaced tomorrow. When the gutter guys show up tomorrow, I intend to see if anything they have would be suitable. David has also offered me a piece of “treasure”. I’m not sure how thick any of these things are, but I intend to check them out and see.
Everyone has been soooooo helpful! Thanks!
Well, folks, here is the end result. I used a piece of gutter which, after removing the powder coat finish, was about 0.028" thick. It was a hair thinner than I had in mind, but close enough.
Yes, they work.
Thanks, all!
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BTW, thanks Andrew. I didn’t know that about the sheet metal gauges.
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Happy to contribute. You do really cool work! Have any plans to do classes, how-tos, instructables, or videos, etc. of the work you do? I’m terribly curious about how and why. I think the pliers are cool as can be, especially that they function, but I’m not sure why you wanted tiny working pliers. 
I think your bit brace is awe inspiring as well!
https://talk.dallasmakerspace.org/uploads/default/original/2X/c/c00334c36ddb502b8083644ab0861aa8af31251e.jpg
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The bit brace works, too.
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