if you have a metal supply pace by you go look through their remnants. I made adjstable stands from aluminum pipe using fence post corners. It was only about 60 bucks to make 3. They will also have mild steel plates for cheap but you will punch holes right through it. I got lucky and they had some armour plate for about $30 for a 12in plate. I believe you need 300 brunell hardness or harder to make good plates that wont get holes. Someone else may know exactly.