Buying steel in NJ

[marc3909]

Looking to build a mobile base for my tablesaw, a couple hundred pounds i'm guessing approximately 3' x 7 '. I am looking for a place that would be somewhat helpful in the north Jersey area to buy the steel from. I am not even sure what stock size I should use or what it would be called, any advice would be great. I picked up a ESAB 352 tig welder a few years ago and never used it so my plan is to tig weld the base together. I have years of experience with mig and torches and was thinking this would be helpful in the learning curve of the tig machine.

Thanks, Marc

 

[GTO]

I don't know where N Jersey is to you,but Fazzio in Farmingdale(Monmouth County) would help.
http://www.shopjfi.com/jfiwall

 

[marc3909]

I'm in Bloomfield, NJ. I looked at their website site place seems huge, they are about a hour from me.

 

[MoonRise]

Hmmm, making a mobile base for a table saw? Plain old 'contractor' type saw, and not a big ol' 'cabinet' saw (like a Delta Unisaw)?

Look up some commercial mobile bases (check various websites) and then make one!

http://www.rockler.com/power-tool-accessories/mobile-bases

https://www.woodcraft.com/search?utf8=✓&q=mobile+base&button=search

IIRC, the material typically used is not all that massive. I might be tempted to just go with some scrounged bed frame material (angle iron). The scrounged bed frame may or may not cut or weld OK, but it's free.

Use some google-fu. You can also order over the Net (from places like MetalsDepot, etc), or get some 'simple' stuff from places like Lowes or HomeDepot or TractorSupply (but you'll typically pay more there than at a 'real' steel yard). Or drive the hour and buy like $20-$50 worth of steel (at like half the price than if you bought it at Lowes, HD, or TS).

All you (typically) need to make a table saw mobile base is some angle iron. And some casters, to actually make it mobile.

 

[Marctrees]

Marc - Sounds like you may have the 52" Biesemeyer setup on it, very nice if so.

I have that, attached to an older Powermatic, and built a large one piece base for the whole thing using 2x2x 1/4 angle.

Make just the right size for all the current feet on your setup to sit inside the angle frame.

BUT, plan to leave maybe 1/8" gap between outsides of saw feet within the vertical walls of the angle, in case for whatever reason the saw footprint is not perfectly square

Lapped the corners, no need to miter, and put on heavy casters.

I also took the trouble to drill 6 holes in the angle, near 4 corners and 2 near middle, ( to fix any possible sag in center), weld on 5/8 nuts, and 5/8 bolts thread through to like "jack up" pin to floor once rolled to where you want.

I used 4 all swivel casters.

Assuming like 400lbs or so max.

Marc

 

[PelicanPines]

Denman and Davis Steel in Clifton, NJ... lost the contact info... I knew the owners.

 

[Marctrees]

And ya, old bed frame angle is great, if "Free" specially, for your lighter tool bases, but for this, Id buy the 1/4" angle.

ONLY problem w the bed frame stock is it drills REALLY tough, kinda like it's somehow hardened or something, and I gone through many bedframes for carts and and smaller stationary tool mobile bases, all drilled difficult, but cut w abrasive chop saw easily.

Course, you don't always have to drill them- buy the casters w the 4 hole base plate, and weld on.

I guess, in my opinion, bed frame is great for mobile tool bases stuff, o i dunno, under 400 lb, and under 3' spans, but for more I'd buy the bigger beefier angle.

EXCELLENT welding learning project.

Marc

 

[Small Engine]

Denman & Davis use to only sell in very large amounts. I'm not sure about now. Check out https://www.metalsupermarkets.com . They are in Fairfield. They will even cut to size. Not the cheapest but convenient. Or Riverside Iron in Paterson. John used to have great prices.

 

[BonzoHansen]

And ya, old bed frame angle is great, if "Free" specially, for your lighter tool bases, but for this, Id buy the 1/4" angle.

ONLY problem w the bed frame stock is it drills REALLY tough, kinda like it's somehow hardened or something, and I gone through many bedframes for carts and and smaller stationary tool mobile bases, all drilled difficult, but cut w abrasive chop saw easily.

Course, you don't always have to drill them- buy the casters w the 4 hole base plate, and weld on.

I guess, in my opinion, bed frame is great for mobile tool bases stuff, o i dunno, under 400 lb, and under 3' spans, but for more I'd buy the bigger beefier angle.

EXCELLENT welding learning project.

Marc

I used bed frame angle iron to make a rolling shelf under a small bench. Was a good welding project. And it came out mostly square lol

 

[PelicanPines]

D&D used to sell cuts for scrape price... I was amazed what I found in their bins. Then again... knew the owners.

 

[monk302]

Marc or anyone for that matter,

I am located in Hudson County, NJ. I have an old bed frame that I am planning on getting rid of as soon as possible. I believe it is a queen size but it is bound/******* so it could be a double too.

It is free. DM me if you are interested.

 

[metalhead212121]

I don't know where N Jersey is to you,but Fazzio in Farmingdale(Monmouth County) would help.
http://www.shopjfi.com/jfiwall

x2 on Fazzio's. I've made the trip there a couple times for steel. DO NOT go to Steel Fab in Paterson NJ. I've been there enough times to realize the guy(s) that work there are assholes. The only benefit to go there is its somewhat close to where you live and you can get steel cut to the exact size you want. If you go to Fazzio's I THINK (don't quote me) you can get it cut to the size you want for an extra charge. KTS Machine Shop in Elmwood Park MIGHT be able to cut steel down to the size you want if you change your mind AFTER you leave Fazzio's.

 

[Cr0ck1]

Denman and Davis Steel in Clifton, NJ... lost the contact info... I knew the owners.

Born and raised in clifton!


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[metalhead212121]

Denman & Davis use to only sell in very large amounts. I'm not sure about now. Check out https://www.metalsupermarkets.com . They are in Fairfield. They will even cut to size. Not the cheapest but convenient. Or Riverside Iron in Paterson. John used to have great prices.

Riverside Iron is in a questionable section of Paterson... Just a heads up. I went down to talk to the guy years ago about I-Beams. Overall he seems like a nice guy. I think he's lost his mind working with in that area and under the working conditions that he has.... Just my .02.

 

[marc3909]

Thanks for all the input guys! Next week I have a few days off and will post what I come up with. I looked at the Metal Supermarkets website and found some good info, so I will start my hunt there. I am really hoping that I find my "go-to" place since I have some other projects in mind.

monk302 thanks for the offer , but I am going to go with something a little beefier, most likely overkill.

 

[marc3909]

I think Denman and Davis Steel in Clifton might be closed. I googled them and it seems like they possibly sold the business, and the number was disconnected.

 

[skippydoo]

RS Phillips steel in Vernon. Not the cheapest, but they have it. Also a place in Great Meadows NJ

 

[jlipsky14]

I have gotten metal from metal supermarkets in Fairfield. They are nice guys and will let you go into the back and show you the different stell choices if your not sure what you want.
They wont be as cheap as some other places but their prices are good enough for when I need to pick up a few pieces for a project.

 

[Bansheeboy11]

+1 for metal supermarket, ive been buying through them for over a year now (im in NY 45 mins north of them) since my local steel yards are a bunch of goons, prices change depending on what they ate for lunch and they work whatever hours they feel like. I love ordering online in lengths/dimensions i need and picking up the next day, sometimes same day, they've even hung out in the office late for me one night. Their prices are cheap compared to rockland/westchester counties up in NY

 

[rlitman]

And ya, old bed frame angle is great, if "Free" specially, for your lighter tool bases, but for this, Id buy the 1/4" angle.

ONLY problem w the bed frame stock is it drills REALLY tough, kinda like it's somehow hardened or something, and I gone through many bedframes for carts and and smaller stationary tool mobile bases, all drilled difficult, but cut w abrasive chop saw easily.

Course, you don't always have to drill them- buy the casters w the 4 hole base plate, and weld on.

I guess, in my opinion, bed frame is great for mobile tool bases stuff, o i dunno, under 400 lb, and under 3' spans, but for more I'd buy the bigger beefier angle.

EXCELLENT welding learning project.

Marc

Bed frames (and non-weldable rebar, and door frames) are like the sausage of the steel world. All sorts of **** ends up in them.

They're usually pretty high in carbon, so they work harden like crazy. If you keep the drill turning slow, and push hard, you'll drill them fine. If you let the bit spin until it burnishes in the hole, you're in for some "fun".

The shipping weight of my Powermatic 66 (with the fence) is 614 lbs. I actually made the rolling base for mine out of wood, but I think a bed frame could be made to work.

 

[dadsEH]

Just open yer yellow pages dude....look under S.T.E.E.L..........

 

[tjfslaughter]

Weir Welding in Carlsdat is a good supplier as well.

 

[zippy99]

I'm in Bloomfield, NJ. I looked at their website site place seems huge, they are about a hour from me.

I'm not familiar with that part of NJ, I'm much further south, but Fazzios has several sites. It might be worth looking at their site for a closer one.
The ARE huge, and while not always the cheapest, I have never gone there and not gotten what I needed.

 

[JSGAuto]

Denman & Davis is out of business. I use to buy a lot from them (professionally)

Yarde metals has sold & shipped to me (for persional use). They deal primarily in aluminum, but common steels they do have.

 

[marc3909]

Last weekend I went to RS Phillips in Vernon NJ, I must say what a great bunch of guys. The yard is full of all types of metals and they encourage you to walk around the yard and take a look. Thanks for the recommendation. Hopefully in the next few weeks I can post what I build.

 

[6PTsocket]

There is a chain of retail metal stores for small quantities, called Metal Supermarkets. There is one in Fairfield at 1Just Rd. I asked for a quote and they seemed high but you can check them out.

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[Roju1985]

Little bit of a drive, but Rockland county iron works in Spring Valley NY is pretty good to deal with. Owner is a little grumpy but in that business I can't blame him.

 

[Bansheeboy11]

Little bit of a drive, but Rockland county iron works in Spring Valley NY is pretty good to deal with. Owner is a little grumpy but in that business I can't blame him.

I live a few miles away from him, and i drive 40 mins to Metal Supermarket, i understand hes a bit old school, and im old school, but they more or less make their own hours and prices, they fluctuate more than the stock market and it drives me nuts.