Sometimes you can find them in a salvage yard and buy them at the "per pound" price. I bought the 1/2" plate I'm using for my endcaps at a salvage yard here in A-town a couple years back...$0.36/lb Bought some 1/4" plate there too.
My $0.02
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'98 TJ
high performance steering wheel cover (probably adds 20-30 horses)
The Jeep stays fixed, I stay broke.