campbellmc73
New member
Where does everyone get their metal when they make their projects? angle iron and such. Just curious.
Metal projects
- Thread starter campbellmc73
- Start date
jomobco
Well-known member
It depends how much I need. I like places out here in Denver like DenCol for bulk. I'll hit up Murdochs when I've got something small for angle iron, etc.
A**holes Garage
Banned
Steel supplier about 5 miles away. Everything I need.
csargents1546
Well-known member
Use to get my small steel pieces from a surplus yard Denver called K and K surplus. Awesome place. Had alot of misc items. Never knew what you would find there. Most home improvement stores do stock a little steel. Pricey compared to a steel supply house.
38Chevy454
Well-known member
When you go to the steel supply place, if you need or can use shorter lengths; ask if they have a scrap barrel or area that you can look for small cutoff pieces to buy. You will still have to pay, but you can sometimes get a better deal since they are selling what otherwise would be just scrap for them. Problem is you never know what might be there. I have had some luck getting pieces this way. Otherwise just buy what you need. Std lengths are 20 ft, so bring a trailer. Some places will cut to 10 ft for free, others will charge, so bring a sawzall if you only need a few pieces and cut them yourself to save cutting charge if it is too much.
I have a steel supply house in town if I need quantities but the pieces are all 20 ft long and there is a minimum amount you have to buy, usually around 200 lineal ft.
For smaller projects I used to buy at Lowes but the prices are way high. I've since found a place called Surplus City just outside of town that has a good selection of smaller pieces of angle, bar, flat and sheet steel with prices much less than the box stores.
For smaller projects I used to buy at Lowes but the prices are way high. I've since found a place called Surplus City just outside of town that has a good selection of smaller pieces of angle, bar, flat and sheet steel with prices much less than the box stores.
bhalv
Well-known member
local steel supply yard and usually from their drop piles, the stuff that gets cut off ad left from other orders, usually at 50-60% of retail
Dawn dishwashing detergent, hot water and Scotchbrite works pretty good.
stokessd
Member
I use metal supermarkets, they aren't the cheapest, but they are super friendly and accommodating (in my area at least). And they can cut to surprisingly tight tolerances. I used to leave like 1/4" on my cut lengths to clean up on the mill, but after a few experiences with their cutting, I have shrunk that up to 1/32" or so.
I now stock very little at home (mostly jsut scraps from previous projects), and let them be my warehouse.
http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/msc-storefinder.aspx?map=US
Sheldon
I now stock very little at home (mostly jsut scraps from previous projects), and let them be my warehouse.
http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/msc-storefinder.aspx?map=US
Sheldon
Kirkvkid
Well-known member
Depends what I am doing. If I was going to build a trailer then yes to all of the above. But for random projects around the shop I usually use metal bed frame rails. My buddy and I used to grab them whenever we saw them at the curb. Just look around on trash day and grab them. It's getting harder now that scrap is so high, so we hit up a few garage sales or estate auctions. 12 foot worth of angle iron that has paint on it isnt bad for $5, plus you might get a headboard for the burn pile as well.
I know it's kinda cheap, but again this isn't for some high dollar product I am selling to make a living from. I just ocassionaly need some metal.
I know it's kinda cheap, but again this isn't for some high dollar product I am selling to make a living from. I just ocassionaly need some metal.
Here's a couple of online suppliers I use for small projects that my local supplier doesn't have on hand, but it's usually cheaper to get materials locally.
http://www.onlinemetals.com/
http://www.metalsdepot.com/index.phtml
http://www.onlinemetals.com/
http://www.metalsdepot.com/index.phtml
Zeke
Well-known member
Is he talking about mill scale? I don't know what is black and can be washed off.
csp
Well-known member
x2^^ C&M Iron Works is another good supplier that has salvage you can go through like K&K does.
I assumed he was talking about mill scale also. No combo of Dawn and a scotch brite is going to remove mill scale effectively.
A**holes Garage
Banned
I'm guessing he's talking about the oil that is left on some tubing.
If so, I use Acetone, Mineral Spirits, to clean before welding or painting.
If so, I use Acetone, Mineral Spirits, to clean before welding or painting.
crewchief888
Well-known member
most of what i use is scrap.
bedframes,
i get some steel from work, always small quantities, to fab brackets and "one off" mounts.
big box stores if i need something quick.
couple of local steel supply houses.
i can usually get what i need from the "drop off" pile.
bedframes,
i get some steel from work, always small quantities, to fab brackets and "one off" mounts.
big box stores if i need something quick.
couple of local steel supply houses.
i can usually get what i need from the "drop off" pile.
Tubing, square or round, does not usually have mill scale. Mill scale is found on hot rolled angle iron, bar stock, and plate. The black oily coating is actually lubrication used in the forming process. I bring gloves with me to the steel supplier. When I get the steel home, I wipe it down with rags soaked with wax and grease remover (from the autobody supplier).
I always buy from the scrap yards around here. They have new stock that I can buy in 10' lengths for cheap, or salvage metal/cut offs I can buy by the pound.
I needed some 5"x5"x0.25" square tube for a project. The metal supermarket wanted nearly $150 for 4 ft of it. Found some scrap in the yard and bought 8 ft for $25 instead. I always goto the scrap yard first now.
I needed some 5"x5"x0.25" square tube for a project. The metal supermarket wanted nearly $150 for 4 ft of it. Found some scrap in the yard and bought 8 ft for $25 instead. I always goto the scrap yard first now.