metal supplier

[jeffyr]

Where do you guys buy your sheet metal/angle iron/flat stock,square and round stock/extruded mesh, etc.
I have not found a cheap enough place near me (NJ) and it seems that the prices of metal are too high. What is the going price for some small stock?

Thanks

jeffyr

[racerdave]

I generally get small stock from a surplus yard. larger orders I then get them from a local supplier. Usually with steel suppliers there is a minimum order ( last time it was $650)

[jeffyr]

could you explain racerdave---surplus yard ?
Is that like a junkyard ?

jeffyr

[CT18fireman]

Get to know the local ironworker. Mine is right next to my shop. He has a cut bin that he lets me go through and if I need larger pieces he will include it as part of his order. Most of the small stuff he has no use for anyway.

[racerdave]

The surplus guys buy alot of the discarded stock from manufacturers and resell it. It's cheaper most of the time but you should always watch the prices. They will also buy Quantities from suppliers and resell them by the pound or foot depending on what the material is. Take a look in the yellow pages under surplus and let me know what u find
David

[jeffyr]

Thanks Dave---I'll look

[Catcher]

Jeff,
check with your local steel supplier. Many times factories will order 2foot of angle iron, they cut 2feet off and have an 18 foot bar left over which is now a 'drop'. I've been able to buy all new steel from drops for my projects; usually paying around 15cents to 25 cents a pound. Depending on the size of supplier you'll find tube, flat, structural, aluminum and stainless there.

[cos]

I found that there alot of distributors of steel around, but there is no need to advertise for them because they sell in quantity. If like most have said here, ask nicely, they may have stuff that has been slightly damaged or not sellable for them and they may just want to get rid of it.

[AltaLawnCare]

Check in your local yellow pages under steel or recycling. Try to find steel salvage yards who sell "used" stock. You may have to hunt a little through a yard, but the prices will be much, much lower than new stock.

[Chuck Smith]

Jeff, I guess it depends on what I need the stock for. You are right, it is expensive here in NJ. There are many places in Newark. I get box steel from Newark, but it is expensive. I have resorted to grabbing steel anywhere I can. It might sound dumb, but I grab any piece I can, that has any usable part to it. I grab any bed frames from the trash I see. It's free angle iron. Twin beds, King size, any size. I have a friend that is a mason, and when I go to his job sites on ocassion, I take what I can from the site dumpster. Often the steel workers will just leave their scraps on the ground, so I pick up what I can. Sheet metal (galvanized steel), I have gotten from Eastwood Co. out in PA, they ship it to NJ in a few days. I am talking pieces 2' X 3', 18ga.

I used to work at a school, and I would take steel that was headed for the dumpster from there as well. Old weight lifting benches, shelves, racks, pipes, etc. I even got a few sheets of stainless, that were the back of the old cafeteria serving line. Have you ever priced a sheet of 16 ga. 304 stainless 3' X 8'??

The best time to come across steel, is when towns have "bulk" trash pick up day. Here, it's the second pick up day of the week, twice a month. I find steel curbside all over the place.

You'd be amazed at what some people have thrown out.

But like I said, it depends on what you need the steel for. Some times, you have to buy new. Even Home Cheapo has high prices on angle iron. Most of my projects, and modifications to equipment, have been done with "free" materials, from someone else's trash.

~Chuck
(aka garbagepicker, packrat)

[eskals]

I've found that Home Depot is fairly expensive on metal. Not to mention that they don;t carry a huge inventory. They don't have more than a few lenghts of each on the floor.

I don't buy much steel and such, so I usually go to a place called metal express (can't recall the exact name). Small orders, no minimum, cut to order, etc. Cheaper than the Depot. It would be nice to scrounge some free stuff, but like I said I don't use much so it is just easier to order what I need and be ready to go. They also sell cut-offs inexpensively.

Eric

[jeffyr]

2 weeks ago I passed by a custom made truck rack that was being thrown away ! Unfortunatelly I didn't have my truck . When I went back.....gone. There was alot of scrap to be had there.

Good ideas looking at weight benches, fish tank stands, bed frames, etc. being discarded.


jeffyr

[Chuck Smith]

Jeff, I also forgot to mention that many towns have recycling centers. Where I used to live, they took brush, grass, and leaves. They also had a seperate dumpster (30 yard) for scrap metal. They had no problem at all with me rumaging through it. They paid for disposal by weight, so anything I took saved them money. I once missed a Walker mower by a day. I know the guy who grabbed it. All it needed was a new wheel motor. You never know what you'll find in one of those dumpsters!

~Chuck

[Mike Nelson]

Chuck,

Your responses make me chuckle.

My sweeper driver collects everything for us.Washer machines,fans,metal,wood,etc... :)

Mike Nelson

[TFL]

if there are any trailer manufactuers in your area try there that is were i find lots of surplus. also if there are any industies that us elots of metal try there. if thats the case there will also be suppliers near.

[jeffyr]

The main town that I cut in has a dump for grass that landscapers can use. I took a look and the metal is also there....so every Friday I can get a look at what has been collected. lots to be found there.

Good suggestion !

jeffyr