buying new metal
- Thread starter brownbagg
- Start date
kazlx
Well-known member
Plate/bar/sheet/shapes are usually not the same but are somewhat close for the same materials.
BD1
Well-known member
The supplier I use does both. Stuff like 1/4 '' round to 1/2'' is by the piece ad larger goes by weight. It almost comes out the same. In small angle like 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/8 it cost more than 1 x 1 x 1/8 . It may depend on who writes up the ticket.
sberry
Banned
There is a lot of play in yards. I know 1 that is about like the welding store, small customers are really an interruption for the most part. In common sizes I buy by the full piece and some chop for free, if I can help it this is what I do and stock some common sizes, not a lot but a few ft of angle of various sizes around save a lot of work. Same for little rounds and flat strip.
There is another yard in a different town loves walk ins, prices decent and you pay stick price for drops but its really kind of nice as they got a decent selection and dont mind a look over, can buy a chunk of channel just what you might need without having to get a whole piece or a surcharge for a short. Same for plate.
If I really need to buy a 16 ga or really any plate unless it is a drop deal am taking the whole thing. Building a little stock is near priceless and when used with salvage can go a long way. I can do used on some things, where there are lots of welded attachments or prep is a problem, even finish then new.
Butttttt,,,,, most home brew types should really be looking at free and salvage, not all of it has to be welded, can be spot cleaned, screwed etc but appliance steel is the super source for free stuff, lots of it has pre bends can be useful. Its all cleaned and painted super easy to work with, some of it can be snip cut in places etc.
I got all the pieces for a welding booth, all of it from a washer dryer set and a can of flat black, even used the same screws come out of a lot of it and only a couple small pieces of additional matl that didn't come with it.
I added a shaded window and a flap or 2 since and need to make a minor wire change before my bucket time. The white hardhat is actually the motor cover, it fit so perfect we never made a real deal. I didn't buy anything for it, used both doors as the fan install is in the wash door up top, used dryer fan and dryer door incl old hinges for the cab.
There is a big ground wire not seen bolts to the plate the vise sets on which slides around for adjustment. It goes to the welder.
There is another yard in a different town loves walk ins, prices decent and you pay stick price for drops but its really kind of nice as they got a decent selection and dont mind a look over, can buy a chunk of channel just what you might need without having to get a whole piece or a surcharge for a short. Same for plate.
If I really need to buy a 16 ga or really any plate unless it is a drop deal am taking the whole thing. Building a little stock is near priceless and when used with salvage can go a long way. I can do used on some things, where there are lots of welded attachments or prep is a problem, even finish then new.
Butttttt,,,,, most home brew types should really be looking at free and salvage, not all of it has to be welded, can be spot cleaned, screwed etc but appliance steel is the super source for free stuff, lots of it has pre bends can be useful. Its all cleaned and painted super easy to work with, some of it can be snip cut in places etc.
I got all the pieces for a welding booth, all of it from a washer dryer set and a can of flat black, even used the same screws come out of a lot of it and only a couple small pieces of additional matl that didn't come with it.
I added a shaded window and a flap or 2 since and need to make a minor wire change before my bucket time. The white hardhat is actually the motor cover, it fit so perfect we never made a real deal. I didn't buy anything for it, used both doors as the fan install is in the wash door up top, used dryer fan and dryer door incl old hinges for the cab.
There is a big ground wire not seen bolts to the plate the vise sets on which slides around for adjustment. It goes to the welder.
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sberry
Banned
This is where a plasma can earn its keep in home or small garages. I save a lot of material, its material once it is sized and cut to store efficiently. Tear a couple nice flats off a washer or dryer and toss the rest etc, you don't need it for some a microwave jacket either but it cuts for salvage as well as fabrication. Right now steel is low and a guy should build a little structural stock, even used is low, people starting to give it away again. If you can carve it up and can use if for future it saves a lot of money and finish.
I actually do most of my fab work with a simple cut or 2, very rarely need to machine or bend and a good amount of pre drilling I can find done.
If I got an Ironworker and a heavy brake could get rid of some, could get rid of some scrap flat with a shear and I try to stock some coupons a guy can get banged in to blanks from scrap fo beere money on occasion that are very useful.
I really try to avoid the steel yard if I can. They are a great bunch and when you need them you do but been there and done it and don't care so much anymore about build from scratch from stock. Today would start with a cart I scrounges or was given or go simple with HF engine stand or cart as a stock base etc. It is a case of buying being cheaper and a whole lot faster and a whole lot easier to swap/mod. Drawers are hard and slow, got to clean and paint raw steel. All tedious stuff and the benefit of the scrounged used route is that you can often come up with way better than you could buy. Or should say afford to buy. I own 1 tool chest I ever bought, got some super shelves from auction you could need to be able to haul for 50 and another roll chest I give 75 for. The **** I paid for maybe 300 in to.
I still could hit the faces of the steel bit deal with white and it would make it look better and had considered expanding it a bit which I could and may do. I am really not so super concerned about adding more and am utilizing what is practical.
I actually do most of my fab work with a simple cut or 2, very rarely need to machine or bend and a good amount of pre drilling I can find done.
If I got an Ironworker and a heavy brake could get rid of some, could get rid of some scrap flat with a shear and I try to stock some coupons a guy can get banged in to blanks from scrap fo beere money on occasion that are very useful.
I really try to avoid the steel yard if I can. They are a great bunch and when you need them you do but been there and done it and don't care so much anymore about build from scratch from stock. Today would start with a cart I scrounges or was given or go simple with HF engine stand or cart as a stock base etc. It is a case of buying being cheaper and a whole lot faster and a whole lot easier to swap/mod. Drawers are hard and slow, got to clean and paint raw steel. All tedious stuff and the benefit of the scrounged used route is that you can often come up with way better than you could buy. Or should say afford to buy. I own 1 tool chest I ever bought, got some super shelves from auction you could need to be able to haul for 50 and another roll chest I give 75 for. The **** I paid for maybe 300 in to.
I still could hit the faces of the steel bit deal with white and it would make it look better and had considered expanding it a bit which I could and may do. I am really not so super concerned about adding more and am utilizing what is practical.
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EdT
Well-known member
Two other sources I have found useful for salvage material. Office furniture. File cabinets have a lot of light sheet metal in fairly large sizes and, around here at least, they can be had very cheaply if not free. Another one that is a bit more location specific is a store that sells Chinese scooter and ATVs. They come in "crates' made from angle iron and square tubing. I picked one up a couple of weeks ago with about 30' of angle iron and a few bits of tubing for $5. Unlike a lot of salvage stuff it's not all rusty and is good for some kinds of things. On the downside, they are welded together so you can expect to spend some time un-welding them. Also, there may not be a store like that near you.
sberry
Banned
You can chop some of it which is what I do, sawzall and simply whack a lot of clusters from fabrications allowing it to be stacked up. I agree, files and cabs being most excellent and a lot can be done with the addirtiona piece screwed or welded to them for customization. I got a set of 2 of big drawers and a bud of mine had this ole Singer pattern cab, double wide that was most excellent.
I had this thing sitting around filling with dust, was going to move it out then discovered along the way that it was just about what I am looking for in a drill battery cab, its made for trays, I have some, will get some more metal ones and used a couple pcs of plywood but I drilled a couple holes and screwed some trays to it and had a cart in about 30 mins vs days of fab and could trim it with a little paint, mostly aluminum and came wheeled.
The last one is a rubber Maid someone gave me. a janitorial that had a shelf adjustment I took advantage of , I tossed the shelf somewhat but it is the charger tester cart and fit perfect like I made it where it goes.
1st pic was some crates I piled up on a TV stand for the job to prototype the location and it limped on for years. I was getting ready to **** it up and build when the rest of it came around for free. It took me a bit to clear the tall cart, it held body supplies for the most part for 15 yrs for me and was a picture perfect example of how much stuff can get squirreled in a cab, most of which a guy could never find.
I had this thing sitting around filling with dust, was going to move it out then discovered along the way that it was just about what I am looking for in a drill battery cab, its made for trays, I have some, will get some more metal ones and used a couple pcs of plywood but I drilled a couple holes and screwed some trays to it and had a cart in about 30 mins vs days of fab and could trim it with a little paint, mostly aluminum and came wheeled.
The last one is a rubber Maid someone gave me. a janitorial that had a shelf adjustment I took advantage of , I tossed the shelf somewhat but it is the charger tester cart and fit perfect like I made it where it goes.
1st pic was some crates I piled up on a TV stand for the job to prototype the location and it limped on for years. I was getting ready to **** it up and build when the rest of it came around for free. It took me a bit to clear the tall cart, it held body supplies for the most part for 15 yrs for me and was a picture perfect example of how much stuff can get squirreled in a cab, most of which a guy could never find.
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jimbbski
Well-known member
I have a place called "AAA Supply" in Highland, In (I think) I can go in to their shop an look through they drops, extras, cut offs, etc. and that's priced by the pound. Both steel and aluminum. I have also bought larger pieces. They have a cutting and shearing service too.
The last time I went there they sheared a .080 aluminum sheet into 4-1ftX5ft sheets and some 1inX2in rectangle tubing into 8-5ft lengths. The cost was well worth it as I had no additional cutting to do and the materials fit in the trunk of my car.
The last time I went there they sheared a .080 aluminum sheet into 4-1ftX5ft sheets and some 1inX2in rectangle tubing into 8-5ft lengths. The cost was well worth it as I had no additional cutting to do and the materials fit in the trunk of my car.
Mattpopp
Member
If you are around Houston Triple S will let you walk around there drop section. Good fro day dreaming of what you could build.
I just found this place and they buy/resale surplus. May not always have what you need but they have a huge selection. They will add you to their monthly mailing list so you can get their current stock and prices on the first of each month.
http://www.blkrose.net/staff.aspx
They have a 1" thick sheet 43x88 that I am trying to snag up now. They want $245 for it. I do not think you can really beat that price. It will be for my new shop table.
I just found this place and they buy/resale surplus. May not always have what you need but they have a huge selection. They will add you to their monthly mailing list so you can get their current stock and prices on the first of each month.
http://www.blkrose.net/staff.aspx
They have a 1" thick sheet 43x88 that I am trying to snag up now. They want $245 for it. I do not think you can really beat that price. It will be for my new shop table.
I think the supplier I went to don't have any pricing or brochures or listings, you'll some how just have to know exactly what you want go to the counter and ask, you'll get a price and paid for it, take the receipt to the warehouse pickup, they'll load it up for you. It's definitely not small item.... the 2"x2"x10 gauge wall I got is 24' and they don't sell odds/ends. Item price seems to be by weight..... cause the 3"x1"x10 gauge is the exact same price.... and price changes it's dependent on market. I bought the same thing a year ago and it cost about 50% more when steel price was higher.
I usually stop by to the warehouse area first look at the item then go and paid for it come back and pickup. They would some times let you in , some times will told you to piss off... in general they are pretty helpful for the one I went to.
I usually stop by to the warehouse area first look at the item then go and paid for it come back and pickup. They would some times let you in , some times will told you to piss off... in general they are pretty helpful for the one I went to.
I'm not sure exactly how the local place sells it exactly. I tell him what I got, like 1" square tubing with 1/8" wall and length. He looks it up and tells me what the price is.
What he is looking at, I'm not sure. . . a price list what he paid for it or a scale of product by weight ???? Maybe next time I'll ask out of curiousity.
What he is looking at, I'm not sure. . . a price list what he paid for it or a scale of product by weight ???? Maybe next time I'll ask out of curiousity.
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Likely this.
readhead
Well-known member
Probably looking up pounds per foot and using current pricing per pound. Some places will actually figure out price per foot for consumers but they are still pricing per pound.
Not us. I price per inch.
ilikedirt
Well-known member
I have a metal shop that is less than a 5 minute drive from my shop. Sheet I can buy 2x4 - 4x4 4x8 and larger pieces. Tube, angle etc I have to buy a 24' stick.
There's another shop about 3 minutes away I can buy drops by the pound but it's really hit or miss.
There's another shop about 3 minutes away I can buy drops by the pound but it's really hit or miss.
readhead
Well-known member
Mike13u I think that is sarcasm but if not it is still by the pound. The whole steel industry works by weight. A good example for you guys that are pricing metal buildings would be to get a weight when you get a price. If you price three buildings they should be about the same weight. If not start comparing price per pound.
Not sarcasm at all. We price by the inch. I'm part of one of the largest retail and wholesale metal sales businesses in the world. We use weight all the time for various things, but we price our steel to our customers by the inch. Just letting you know. You are correct about weight being used often by many in metal sales, but there are many ways to skin that cat.
readhead
Well-known member
I do understand inch pricing. I mentioned in a previous post about dimensional pricing for consumers. People can understand and see price per foot much like an eight foot 2x4. Pricing per pound would be pretty mysterious to most people.
Interesting, the aluminum sheet I bought for my trailer benchtop came from your sister store in Columbus, Ohio. They were fair, helpful and friendly. Steel, I can buy locally but if I needed aluminum like that again, I wouldn't hesitate to call them.
byoungblood
Well-known member
My dad used to sell metals (of course he retires before I start welding!) and usually the cheapest way to buy it is in whatever sizes they get it from the mill. While that may not always be practical, it probably pays to ask what lengths/widths of material they stock without having to cut it.
On the flip side, if you're not picky about the lengths, then ask about their remnants. Sometimes you can buy it cheap because it would otherwise go to scrap.
On the flip side, if you're not picky about the lengths, then ask about their remnants. Sometimes you can buy it cheap because it would otherwise go to scrap.