I pretty much s use speedymetals also for specialty stuff............say 6" dia. 6061 for power hone backer plates. They cut them within .004 in flattness..not bad for a band say that can cut your car in half............. ............well almost.
if you have a home depot/lowes near by, go their steel section and get a strip of mild steel 3 feet long and cut whatever you want for sizes.............around $14.00 thats 2 (two) inches wide ad approximately 3/16 thick, I do it all the time