Question about Metal Supply

[A_Ninja_Racer]

Hey Guys, I'm Trying to get into some Metal Fabrication as a hobby. I recently bought myself a welder and have been practicing on whatever scraps I can find & having a blast doing it. I'm getting to a point where I have some project in my mind for some Furniture and other things that I would like to make. Most of my ideas have me leaning towards they Idea that I'm going to need to purchase the metal (mostly mild steel) if I ever want to get the project off the ground, otherwise it would take me years to find enough of the right sized scrap to complete my project. I will admit that I have some anxiety about walking into a metal supply ware house and looking like an idiot.

I Live in the Tampa/Brandon area of Florida and am wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a location doesn't mind working work with a hobbyist who would only be looking to purchase 1 or 2 lengths of square tubing and likely need it cut in half.

I'm trying to look up places on the internet but once you get on a companies website everything is geared towards the commercial side of the business which doesn't really help a guy like me out. I would really appreciate any advise you guys might have to offer.

 

[shoot summ]

I've been using Metal Supermarket recently that is close to me. The big suppliers are cheaper, but if you work the system you can get better pricing. I try to buy full sticks when possible and the price is much better than short pieces. They also have a scrap section where I can get short pieces when I want them. Just watch what they are charging you for the shorts relative to the cost of a stick.

 

[rooster59]

Buy full sticks, carry a good hacksaw / battery sawzall in the truck. If your project needs x-ft long, cut accordingly

 

[PCustoms]

Buy full sticks, carry a good hacksaw / battery sawzall in the truck.

This

@A_Ninja_Racer Google metal suppliers, look at their websites and familiarize yourself with the products and terminology before you call. Getting someone on the phone and not having a clue what you want likely won't work out, but calling up and asking for a price on a stick of G16800 or TS 3 SQ X 3/16 WALL should get you a better response.

 

[A_Ninja_Racer]

I've been using Metal Supermarket recently that is close to me. The big suppliers are cheaper, but if you work the system you can get better pricing. I try to buy full sticks when possible and the price is much better than short pieces. They also have a scrap section where I can get short pieces when I want them. Just watch what they are charging you for the shorts relative to the cost of a stick.

Oh Wow thanks this is what I was looking for. There sight even lets me do my own quoting without having to proved my personal info and then wait for a sales person to respond. so I can have an idea of the price before I even walk in. Thank you so much!

 

[A_Ninja_Racer]

Buy full sticks, carry a good hacksaw / battery sawzall in the truck. If your project needs x-ft long, cut accordingly

Not a Bad Idea. Thanks for the tip.

 

[A_Ninja_Racer]

This

@A_Ninja_Racer Google metal suppliers, look at their websites and familiarize yourself with the products and terminology before you call. Getting someone on the phone and not having a clue what you want likely won't work out, but calling up and asking for a price on a stick of G16800 or TS 3 SQ X 3/16 WALL should get you a better response.

That's why I was asking for help I don't want to waste any ones time calling in or showing up not knowing what I'm looking for or how to properly articulate what I'm looking for. And again I was already googling metal suppliers but the majority of what I was finding ended up being more like metal roofing supply or again so few information provided on their website that I would force me to call in and likely waste mine and the person on the other ends time.

 

[shoot summ]

Oh Wow thanks this is what I was looking for. There sight even lets me do my own quoting without having to proved my personal info and then wait for a sales person to respond. so I can have an idea of the price before I even walk in. Thank you so much!

Don't order online though, the store prices here are better than online, they told me it is better to call the store when you want to order.

 

[A_Ninja_Racer]

Don't order online though, the store prices here are better than online, they told me it is better to call the store when you want to order.

Thanks for the heads up. At least the website will give me a general idea of what its going to cost. That was also one of anxieties. Walking in and then finding out that the price was too cost prohibitive.

 

[shoot summ]

Not a Bad Idea. Thanks for the tip.

The cut charge at Metal Supermarket is minimal. I just bought a 20' stick of 2x2x1/8 aluminum, had them cut it into an 8' and 12' section. The total cost before tax was $68.87. If I price an 8' piece online it alone is $49.

 

[A_Ninja_Racer]

Yeah looking at the website if you buy a 20 ft length of 2x2x.120 mild steel it's like 121.**. if you buy 2x 10ft sections it's 122.**. they are only charging a little over a dollar for the cut.

It seems that they only start raising the cut price when you aren't buying the full 20 ft length.

I would of course prefer to buy the full length so that I can have leftovers for other projects down the line.

 

[shoot summ]

Yeah looking at the website if you buy a 20 ft length of 2x2x.120 mild steel it's like 121.**. if you buy 2x 10ft sections it's 122.**. they are only charging a little over a dollar for the cut.

It seems that they only start raising the cut price when you aren't buying the full 20 ft length.

I would of course prefer to buy the full length so that I can have leftovers for other projects down the line.

Interesting, I can't price .120 online, but .125 is $75 for 20'.

 

[shoot summ]

Look what 72 inches costs...

 

[PCustoms]

That's why I was asking for help I don't want to waste any ones time calling in or showing up not knowing what I'm looking for or how to properly articulate what I'm looking for. And again I was already googling metal suppliers but the majority of what I was finding ended up being more like metal roofing supply or again so few information provided on their website that I would force me to call in and likely waste mine and the person on the other ends time.

I searched "metal tube supplier tampa Florida", tons of results and some even have online prices for materials:

Tampa Steel & Supply | Metal Suppliers & Steel Suppliers Tampa Bay

Serving the Tampa Bay area for more than 30 years, Tampa Steel & Supply is your one-stop shop for steel supplies. Contact us today to request a quote.

tampasteel.com

 

[PCustoms]

Also not worth buying less then full stick IMHO.

Have it cut, cut it yourself, but buy the full length (unless they have already have a short they're selling).

 

[A_Ninja_Racer]

Look what 72 inches costs...

Ok you were looking at angle and I was looking at square tubing

 

[rooster59]

forgot to include earlier- there’s a place around here that’s metal supply with a welding supply next door. They sell 20 footers out of the metal supply, but sometimes there are oddball cutoffs in a separate rack some times cheaper / way cheaper by the foot. Customer asks for cuts then never picks up, et cetera. May have holes drilled, angle cuts …

 

[MovingAlong]

I will admit that I have some anxiety about walking into a metal supply ware house and looking like an idiot.

These aren't fraternities, there are no major hazing rituals. But right now - you are an idiot when it comes to steel.

Learn from the supplier.

Walk in, talk to the person at the counter, ask for information, "I'm looking to build some household furniture for fun, was thinking 2"x2"x.120" would weld up ok. But what would you recommend?" Show the counter folks respect for their knowledge, show them you appreciate their advice, and most of all - never ask the price. Nobody is going to haggle over a few sticks. The price will always be market rate (for a small hobbyist), will always be cheaper than a big box store, will always be of better quality and will always be available when you need it. Steel costs money, pay it.

Showing up 8am Monday is a bad idea (they're busy), showing up 5 min to quitting time is a bad idea too (they're cleaning up). But Wednesday around 2pm, they'll probably be looking for someone new to talk with. If you do need to show up first thing in the morning one day, I've found that bringing a dozen doughnuts never hurt anything..

There's a Metal Supermarkets in St. Pete, along with about 10 other suppliers in the Tampa area too. You'll find one you like.

 

[jack stand]

Find a local welding/fabrication shop and see how receptive they are about buying their "scrap".
I had one source that would let me hop in their 30yd dumpster. What a goldmine that was. Buddy up with the guys in the back showing you enthusiasm for their craft and you might find your own "goldmine"!

 

[PCustoms]

There's a lot of odd advice here, I was going to comment on a few things but I'll refrain.

Metal supermarkets is typically a "consumer" level store. Better then buying at home depot, but still a consumer oriented store with relatively fixed pricing. Handing over a cut list and asking for a quote should be fine.

Industrial/commercial suppliers: know what size/grade/alloy you want and get a quote. The more you buy the better discount you get. Prices fluctuate daily.

I buy from a commercial supplier. Depending what I order and when I need it, I have had them deliver to the house (via straight truck, pickup/flatbed, or tractor trailer) or I meet them along their route in town. The only issue I had was when sales forgot to add "no TT" to my new address, I'll give the driver credit he made the 90+ degree corner and crossed the 1 lane bridge and had good spirits as we off-loaded.

 

[A_Ninja_Racer]

Thanks guys I appreciate the help.

 

[dcg9381]

Facebook marketplace often has a lot of "scrap" (including structural steel) that you can pickup at big discounts.
Metal mart will do whatever you want, even small quantities. They'll cut it for you (may charge you).

I tend to buy 20' sections of steel, I strap them to my 8x10' trailer and rack them at home...

 

[Sinatra]

I use Alro Metals here in Cincinnati. They have a great showroom where you can look through and pick out what you need. Their “drops” prices are better than cut lengths and there’s always some specials that vary each visit. There are stores in Tampa and Clearwater.

 

[RoninB4]

I'm going to throw something else out there. I'm a retired toolmaker that still has machinery and am doing projects in metal on a fairly regular basis. New metal is nice but it's expensive and not always required. For those metal components that will likely need to be cleaned up before painting/finishing you can get a much better price at some of the scrap yards and metal recycling places. There seems to be several in the Tampa area and they usually sell less than a full 12-20 foot stick. I have one near me and they only charge 50 cents per cut. A good yard will have steel, aluminum, SS, and some even keep stock indoors so it doesn't rust up. I do odd projects like needing a 8" x 2" piece of round aluminum stock that would cost far more from the consumer type places (Metal Market, Speedy Metals, etc.) than the scrap yard that sells by weight. I'd really suggest you visit the scrap/recycling yards. Large businesses regularly toss thing like heavy duty casters, I-beams, welded box enclosures, perforated plate, and obsolete tooling. You can even have a standing order for things that may come in and they'll call you. You'll never know until you look. Good luck.

 

[tarmy]

Most urban areas have smaller metal supply shops as well. I used to buy from Metal Supermarkets or other larger type places…but found a one man shop that I have bought from for nearly 20 years. He lets me pay cash so it is way cheaper than the commercial places.

Most places have “drops” areas that are a good bargain too. Most (around here) charge by the pound for the drops. If you have projects in mind that don’t require long pieces the drops can save big money…ask if they have an areas for you to scrounge around.

 

[danielbuck]

I've never been to a metal supply place that wouldn't sell small quantities to an individual. I'd try to find a metal supply place near you, and if you know you'll be using alot of the same size tubing, get a bunch of sticks of it if you can afford to do so. It's so great having your own supply of material and don't have to go buy material every time you build something. I keep 1x1" .065 wall, 1x2" .120 wall and 1.75" .120 DOM on hand since those are the sizes I use the most often. As well as a bunch of 3/16" and 3/8" round rod.

Just talk to whoever is there at the shop and tell them honestly, you've never purchased tubing before and you have some questions.

If you can, get full length sticks of the tubing. If you can't transport/store 18' or longer, you can have them cut it in 1/2 for you (or whatever length you want). Don't count on their cuts to be your final cuts though, they usually air on the side of being a bit longer (from what I've experienced), do the final cuts yourself so that you are in control of the actual measured cuts.

I used to buy only scraps/drops, I still do fairly often but it's nice having clean long lengths of metal, depends on what you're building though. I save my own drops down to a size of about 4-6" or so, anything shorter generally gets tossed to recycle (unless it's thick wall), or given to friends who are learning to weld so that they can have some practice material.

Also, pay with cash, several places I've purchased from would give me a bit of a price cut for paying cash. Not always though. And don't ever buy metal from home depot or something like that, it's quite literally 4x the price, if not more.

 

[MushCreek]

I used to buy at Tampa Steel & Supply in Ybor City (Tampa), and Alro on 49th St. in Clearwater. TSS was cheaper for full sticks, Alro was better for small pieces.

 

[mike93lx]

I've bought drops at metals supermarket a couple times. It's sold by the pound based on the material. By all means, buy full sticks when you have a use for it, but if you need shorter pieces, I'd check the rack before ordering. I paid $13 for a 5 ft piece of 2x2x.120 square tubing a few months ago.

 

[cpttuna]

if you are diy small time fab/welder person like me, you can beat a local metal recycling place for your metal. I used to go 5or 6 times a year looking for scrap stainless. I have purchased it from $.05 to $1.10 over the years. When I go, I just look. I am always tempted by pieces that are curved, have holes dilled in them, different lengths of angle and flat pieces. I spend $50 or so and put it away. I may not use it for 5 years and i do not care. Probably the best buy I ever made was a 12 foot piece of 1" round ss stock for $7.00.

 

[Riverrat]

The Jorgensen Steel Catalog might help you. I have hard copies they used to give out for free when I was working in the aerospace industry. Great reference material on sizes, weights, and manufacturing characteristics.
Here is a link to an electronic copy.

Blue Book | EMJ

www.emjmetals.com

 

[mikegt4]

I use Alro Metals here in Cincinnati. They have a great showroom where you can look through and pick out what you need. Their “drops” prices are better than cut lengths and there’s always some specials that vary each visit. There are stores in Tampa and Clearwater.

I use Alro Metals in Cincinnati too, it's an "Alro Metals Express" that sells the drops from regular Alro Metals stores although they do have full sticks of the types of material that a hobbyist or small business would be looking for. It's the cleanest and most organized metal supply place that I have ever been to. The Metal Supermarket, literally across the street, has pricing that is beyond insane and it's like stumbling through an old scrap yard, I stopped going there a decade ago. MS stores are franchises so others may be different.

 

[MT800]

My hometown of Kansas City has a place called “metal by the foot “””.
I usually don’t need a 20’ stick.
Here in Bakken, the steel houses will let me check their drops. I have had good luck with them. Found a flat piece behind their shear that was exactly what I needed. No charge to me. Was about 11”x15”.

 

[cpttuna]

Hey Guys, I'm Trying to get into some Metal Fabrication as a hobby. I recently bought myself a welder and have been practicing on whatever scraps I can find & having a blast doing it. I'm getting to a point where I have some project in my mind for some Furniture and other things that I would like to make. Most of my ideas have me leaning towards they Idea that I'm going to need to purchase the metal (mostly mild steel) if I ever want to get the project off the ground, otherwise it would take me years to find enough of the right sized scrap to complete my project. I will admit that I have some anxiety about walking into a metal supply ware house and looking like an idiot.

I Live in the Tampa/Brandon area of Florida and am wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a location doesn't mind working work with a hobbyist who would only be looking to purchase 1 or 2 lengths of square tubing and likely need it cut in half.

I'm trying to look up places on the internet but once you get on a companies website everything is geared towards the commercial side of the business which doesn't really help a guy like me out. I would really appreciate any advise you guys might have to offer.

try a recycling center for scrap metal. For 40 years, i have gotten all my metal for my projects used at scrap yards

 

[dcg9381]

I Live in the Tampa/Brandon area of Florida and am wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a location doesn't mind working work with a hobbyist who would only be looking to purchase 1 or 2 lengths of square tubing and likely need it cut in half.

Metal is expensive. Have you looked on FB market place for "steel angle" "steel tube" "square steel"? Buying 2nd hand scrap is definitely where it's at if you're messing around.

You can just cut it with a 4.5" cordless grinder with a cutting disk.

Other people have mentioned the typical commercial places to buy steel. Here they will cut if for a small fee.

 

[mike93lx]

try a recycling center for scrap metal. For 40 years, i have gotten all my metal for my projects used at scrap yards

Could just be my local recycler, but they won't sell material, at least not to me

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

Could just be my local recycler, but they won't sell material, at least not to me

Scrap yard local to me won't sell scrap as well. Luckily for me, there's a large metal distributor about 80 miles from me that sells their scrap at slightly above scrap prices. Inventory constantly changes. Sometimes they have what I want, other times not. Usually if I wait, what I want will show up in a short amount of time.

 

[mike93lx]

Scrap yard local to me won't sell scrap as well. Luckily for me, there's a large metal distributor about 80 miles from me that sells their scrap at slightly above scrap prices. Inventory constantly changes. Sometimes they have what I want, other times not. Usually if I wait, what I want will show up in a short amount of time.

80 miles. Wow, that's rough, especially to get there and find out they don't have what you need

 

[whateg01]

Buy full sticks, carry a good hacksaw / battery sawzall in the truck. If your project needs x-ft long, cut accordingly

One of our local places for metal, not the cheapest, but one of the more accessible places, especially on the weekend, will not allow battery operated bandsaws in their lot.

 

[cannuck]

I do pretty much all of what is in this thread. Once in a while a visit to scrapyard can yield workable material for really good prices. I usually get my thick chunks of steel and aluminum plate as drops from laser/plasma cutting shops. If I only need a couple feet I will gladly pay local MS for the convenience. Anything from a single 20 and on up I have an account with large metal wholesaler. But: everything works better if you can walk out of the door with a full length. The advice to bring your own saw is viable, but if you have a trailer it sure pays for itself in a hurry by allowing 20 and 24s to come home with you. When I was in production (35 years ago) the need for immediate grab of a couple lengths I solved by setting up my 1 ton CC deck truck with a set of removable racks that could carry full lengths of stock on passenger's side (truck was 25' long, so a bit of PITA to haul 24s - fixed by making a "tray" for deck side racks to 20 and 24s ended inside tray).

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

80 miles. Wow, that's rough, especially to get there and find out they don't have what you need

Not a wasted trip. I usually come home with a couple hundred pounds. Ahlman's Gun Shop is on the way, so I stop there as well.