Where to get metal
- Thread starter Zaylor
- Start date
RivennHewn
Well-known member
StumpXJ
Well-known member
Find the BIGGEST wholesaler/distributor you can near you, and go from there. I use a HUGE place in Atlanta, and they often supply the smaller metal shops. They will sell to the public, without an account too. Cut out as many middle men as possible.
sharkytm
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I've found that local metal suppliers and the scrap yard are the only options. When you factor in shipping, online places usually cost more. Occasionally, I get stock from Amazon, but only when it is on sale. Check the Hot Deals section for those.
Case in point, I just bought a 16' stick of 2x2x1/8" square steel tubing and a 12' stick of 2.5x2.5x3/16" square tubing for $92 yesterday. A full sheet (4x8) of 1/8 plate would have cost me $96 (I passed on that), but got a 30x30" piece of used 3/8" plate in the scrap yard for $24. Used steel runs $0.25/lb, new steel is close to $0.90/lb.
Up in AK, you are going to be limited, and online might actually work for you (if you can get flat-rate shipping or use Amazon Prime.
Case in point, I just bought a 16' stick of 2x2x1/8" square steel tubing and a 12' stick of 2.5x2.5x3/16" square tubing for $92 yesterday. A full sheet (4x8) of 1/8 plate would have cost me $96 (I passed on that), but got a 30x30" piece of used 3/8" plate in the scrap yard for $24. Used steel runs $0.25/lb, new steel is close to $0.90/lb.
Up in AK, you are going to be limited, and online might actually work for you (if you can get flat-rate shipping or use Amazon Prime.
Smiliesafari
Well-known member
Try your local welding shops. They usually have lots of odds and ends.
pmason0
Well-known member
I get mine local, it may be a little more but still better than the shipping rates.
buening
Well-known member
+1. My local welding shop steel prices vary greatly, so it helps to call around. They sell new and scraps, at least my local places do.
ilovevocs
Well-known member
I use them for odd ball stuff or small qty. mostly for material that I will be machining. Steel comes from a local boy that sells it out of a building that looks like its going to collapse.
He stands in the shop with his torch, you tell him what you need, he cuts it and loads it on your truck. No min, no bull. I struggled buying steel in smaller qtys for some projects before finding this place.
caper150
Well-known member
http://www.mcneilus.com/
I'm lucky only 10 mins from home. they have a retail part that sells drop too or if their fab shop messes something up they sell it at discount. I was looking for some 20GA sheet and they had a bunch that was miss cut so I got a smoking deal on it
I'm lucky only 10 mins from home. they have a retail part that sells drop too or if their fab shop messes something up they sell it at discount. I was looking for some 20GA sheet and they had a bunch that was miss cut so I got a smoking deal on it
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
I always buy from the scrap yard. The General Scrap yards around here sell new steel in 10' lengths and scrap cutoffs by weight.
In my experience, they are quite literally less then 25% the cost of the metal dealers around here (Metal Supermarket). I buy steel and aluminum for work through the Metal Supermarket but I never buy my own steel there.
We also have a scrap bin at work that I get metal from once in a while, but it's always free from there
In my experience, they are quite literally less then 25% the cost of the metal dealers around here (Metal Supermarket). I buy steel and aluminum for work through the Metal Supermarket but I never buy my own steel there.
We also have a scrap bin at work that I get metal from once in a while, but it's always free from there
ryan t
Well-known member
I get my steel from a local place that makes steel doors, metal studs, tracks, structural steel beams etc. They don't specialize in square tubing and flat steel sheets but they buy so much material that they will order for the public for pretty cheap. I can usually buy 20' of 2"x2" square stock for $59 and they normally have it the day after I order.
PETE14
Well-known member
There used to be a recycling business on the other side of town where you could drop off scrap metel and they paid you for it by the pound. At the time, they would also let you pick from what ever they had, and buy it by the pound. I bought several smaller peices of aluminum there for a good price. It's been a few years since I've been there, so I'm not sure if they still sell or not. It might be worth it to call or drop by if you have any similar recycle outfits near you.
Bondo
Well-known member
Ayuh,.... 99% of my base stocks come from Dumpster Divin' at jobsites...
justanengineer
Well-known member
The "drops" bin/room at the local metal supplier/weld shop/machine shop/industrial plant/jobsite etc, auctions for previously mentioned facilities and also farmers and hobbiests who keep a collection, fleas, the roadside ditch (stuff falls off trucks, esp scrap trucks), dumpsters, on the curb the night before trash night....there are quite literally dozens of possible places to get it, the trick is in recognizing these places and remaining legal without ******* anyone off/making friends.
Vinnie11
New member
I get most of mine from the local scrap yard.
When I ask the guy at my local fab shop about scrap, he just tells me, "I don't have any scrap, just small pieces I haven't used yet." Have to pay full "by the foot" price for anything he has.
When I ask the guy at my local fab shop about scrap, he just tells me, "I don't have any scrap, just small pieces I haven't used yet." Have to pay full "by the foot" price for anything he has.
paints an awesome picture
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
Dillion Supply, they deliver to me local the next day for about $12. I can order a small or large section of metal, it comes on a tractor/trailer.
BD1
Well-known member
There's Waukegan steel that used to sell cutoffs and scrap. Not sure if they still do.
http://www.dexknows.com/business_profiles/waukegan_steel_sales__inc_-b166568
If you want to take a road trip, here's where the farmers by me go. Amazing
stock of everything.
http://local.yahoo.com/info-16713328-pal-steel-company-palmyra
alan camby
Well-known member
I have ordered from http://www.onlinemetals.com/ , http://www.metalsdepot.com/ , and for the first time tonight, http://www.discountsteel.com/
most of the time i only need a few feet of a odd ball size, so I order online.
If i need more then 6 foot i go to a steel yard. I uses Kroot and Southside steel here in central IN.
discount codes for Onlinemetals.com can be found buy googling.
Discountsteel.com has a good selection of DOM
metaldepot.com has the best web site IMO, but has been the most expensive.
most of the time i only need a few feet of a odd ball size, so I order online.
If i need more then 6 foot i go to a steel yard. I uses Kroot and Southside steel here in central IN.
discount codes for Onlinemetals.com can be found buy googling.
Discountsteel.com has a good selection of DOM
metaldepot.com has the best web site IMO, but has been the most expensive.
jamesemery728
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 2, 2009
- Messages
- 961
I use a HUGE place in Atlanta, and they often supply the smaller metal shops. They will sell to the public, without an account too.[/QUOTE]
My son lives in Atlanta, I go to see him and would you mind telling me the name of this place.
My son lives in Atlanta, I go to see him and would you mind telling me the name of this place.