Drop prices?

[Orionrising]

Went to a local steel yard today.... $1 a pound for drops. I feel that's high with scrap prices right now should I be looking for another one?

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[mike13u]

Drops aren't scrap. That is a common misconception. Its still prime metal it is just shorter and not as sale-able in the shorter lengths so its often discounted. Some drops aren't discounted at all and are just displayed at metal retailers for the convenience of buyers looking for smaller quantities.

 

[iajonesy]

Drops are more of a pain for metal sellers to handle than full lengths and therefor they are rarely discounted. They are great for the home fab guys and are still a good value at a dollar a pound and are easier for the home shop guys to handle and store.

Mike

 

[kf4zht]

At least they are discounted. One of our local places charges full price for the measurements even though you found it on the scrap rack and they didnt have to cut it (they don't charge a cut fee though)

 

[Orionrising]

Oh I agree it has value I was just expecting more like .25 or .50. happen to have a piece the Iength I needed so I did not inquire into full length prices.

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[readhead]

Drops are not scrap. They paid wholesale pricing for that material and need to get their markup to stay in business. Just because someone bought 2' of the 20' stick the other 18' is not scrap it is still new material.

 

[Strouty]

Drops are the metal that customers don't want after a cut was made, the drop was paid for in full, now the yard gets to sell it again. My local place won't sell drops anymore unless you buy a ton or more in a random bundle.

 

[Orionrising]

Drops are not scrap. They paid wholesale pricing for that material and need to get their markup to stay in business. Just because someone bought 2' of the 20' stick the other 18' is not scrap it is still new material.

Oh yeah definitely. They didn't have any of that though. All less than 4 ft most less than 2. More useful stuff probably goes fast I guess. Can't see there being much demand or value in foot long sections of heavy channel etc

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[Strouty]

So who was the supplier, didn't look to see it was another Mainer before I posted.

 

[-Brent-]

Drops are not scrap. They paid wholesale pricing for that material and need to get their markup to stay in business. Just because someone bought 2' of the 20' stick the other 18' is not scrap it is still new material.

There are two outfits I know of, locally, that will only sell you that 2' if you pay for the whole 20' and I'm now under the assumption that quite a few folks do it.

Just recently I needed a certain size bar stock that only one of those shops had vs my regular place where I can buy whatever I need and I had to buy all 20'. They offered to keep the 13.5' left over (how nice of them ) but I took it out of principle. When loading it in my truck the guy helping me looks at the cut slip and says, "you only need this six and a half footer, right? Can I keep the leftovers?" Surprised, I responded, "Do a lot of folks take you up on that?" He said, "a lot of the time, yes."

 

[Thedevilsequal]

I buy W sections, flat bar, and channel all day. Just bought a batch at around 15 ton total weight. 16W67 40' rough length (2680lbs) $1285.00. So $.479/lb. Not buying at wholesale 1$/lb is not bad at all. One company I use if you don't tell them you want the drops they go straight to a scrap bin. To high volume a shop to even bother with drops doesn't matter the length of the drop unless they can restock it as a full length. So buy a 50', need 30', they restock the drop as a 20' and I only pay for a 30'. Typically only happens when a length isn't in stock.

 

[kkroger]

I pretty much only buy from a wholesaler, I do have material sheared from time to time, I have to buy the entire sheet or plate, but I get all of it, they don't stock drops. Another supplier in the area buys all sorts of odd lengths of BIG materials just in case someone needs 2' of 20" Solid Round, or 10' of 30" I Beam... Does a good business on Odd Lots, but has full size Sheet goods and plate, as well as some full length bar stock. I do some work for him from time to time and he reciprocates with minimal charges for some odd materials. or just trade. I have a few capabilities that his shop does not. We also have the high dollar shop that charges "By the Foot" Minimum 1'... They have a drop bin inside the place that you can dig through separated by Hot Roll, Bar, Plate, SS, Aluminum... They do a brisk business on Saturday mornings!
I think they charge $.95/# for steel Drops... SS is obviously more and aluminum in between.

 

[MJD1]

Just got a 3,000 pound order. 54 cent a pound for square tube. About 39 cent a pound for angle and channel, delivered.

 

[sberry]

I use 2 steel places and really down to 1 now as the other has short memory and doesn't much care for walk in. The second does sell drops, all at 20 ft pricing, no discount but not much mark up either. They have a wall and some racks dedicated just to that market, it is kind of handy for special shapes, tube or pipe.
I don't stock everything but keep a little angle and some hot roll rounds, misc stuff especially for smaller piece fab where lots of welding is going to it to reduce cleaning. I really don't and havnt bought much last several years, I "collect" it and cut it to stock for more convenient storage.
I buy a couple 5 gallons buckets of welding coupons they sheared up from scrap a couple times, they are super handy.

 

[Nor'Easter]

So who was the supplier, didn't look to see it was another Mainer before I posted.

Also interested. Bath Industrial in West Bath will sell you any length you want, and you only pay for that length. First cut free. 20% off if you buy the whole stick.

 

[jamscal]

Heard this before and I like it:

"It's not scrap if you can use it"

 

[Provincial]

Buyer: "I don't need the whole standard-length piece."
Seller: "If you don't need the whole standard-lenght piece, I'll price the drop a little less than the full length, so you will save some money." "That way I get paid for storing it until it sells."

 

[BD1]

My current supplier sells full lengths normally 20' and will cut it for me. This price is less money than buying shorter lengths or drops.
Buy full lengths and start building up stock. Shop around and check on prices.