aangel: I have both books, they are good.

I would like to proceed with building the solar food dryer per the plans in the book, but am hung up on the steel plate that it calls for. Have you built one? Did you have any trouble making it yourself? Or is there someplace or somebody I should look to? (I'm OK with the woodworking part of it, but have very little experience or skill when it comes to metal work.)

I own the books, too, but they are currently on the shelf waiting for their project day to arrive!

Try Biltmore Metals they deal in scrap and would know who fabricates locally. Alternatively, call AB Tech they might do it or they will know who can do it.