Whatever solution you finally come up with will fit your needs I am sure. I have bought wholesale plate aluminum before from a local welder/micro brewery fabricator. It was for a project of 3 canoes at the time it was half the price of anywhere else because they had so much on hand. I still have 3 of the 12″×12″×1/2" plates waiting to repurpose at some time. The cheapest prices sometimes are right under our noses.

One of my co-worker knows one few minutes away from the office. He welded the big sign and sliding gates for us few years ago.
We will be visiting as soon as works quiet down a little. He said he has some aluminum scrape he is willing to sell.
Hopeful it’s some good stuff.

Don’t buy it on the internet. Go to a welding shop and buy off-cuts. It’s never cheap but it will def. be cheaper they way. You can cut a scrap to shape with woodworking tools.

feww!! I got the compass part right LOL

I am still thinking about my veneer press.
Due to a lack of space I have to be able to store it flat, or in pieces with quick assembly when needed.
I also want it expandable for larger panels.

It’s cooking in my head. I will devote some serious time to it once I get the coffee table out of the way. Either garbage or living room:)
I was looking for aluminum plate on the internet. anything more than 12×12×3/8 jump in price.

That came out pretty well, all things considered. You really need a press or at least clamps and cauls for that kind of job. You were right not to try to hammer it I think but it looks like the repairs were successful and all is well.
This is exactly the place where hot cauls shine. Any time I get a poor glue up because of cooling glue or any other reason, I pop it back in the press with hot a hot caul and it comes out perfect.
BTW, it’s called a compass rose. :-)