Outdoor steel storage

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Hey all,My medium term project is to build a pergola which will take about 2000lbs of steel. In the interim while I practice and work on smaller things I need material. The material I'm going to order for the big project will be pretty expensive but still cheaper online and delivered. I'm contemplating buying it now in addition to a lot of other material for other projects in order to combine the shipping and save a little money over sourcing the smaller project material locally(steel is ridiculously expensive here). Is there a way to store a bunch of steel (mostly tubing) outdoors such that the rust is minimized? It's just too much material to fit in my garage. Any advice appreciatedThanks,Sean
Reply:Just so this thread has a pic here's a pic of my very first project I completed this week, not counting the table I guess:
Reply:Originally Posted by seantIs there a way to store a bunch of steel (mostly tubing) outdoors such that the rust is minimized? It's just too much material to fit in my garage. Any advice appreciatedThanks,Sean
Reply:Steel will rust indoors unless you have heat in the building.Sudden temperature changes will produce standing water on the steel.
Reply:What size is the material and length ? Maybe look for some PVC pipe to store it in depending on size. Order enough and build a rack to store it on and add roof . Ask supplier to crate it IF you can unload.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1What size is the material and length ? Maybe look for some PVC pipe to store it in depending on size. Order enough and build a rack to store it on and add roof . Ask supplier to crate it IF you can unload.
Reply:Originally Posted by seantIt's pretty big. Some 6x6x3/16 tube in 24ft lengths plus other similar dimensions/lengths. A couple 4x8 plates. The stuff is just so much cheaper online and in bulk I'd hate to have to buy retail locally I haven't found a great place in the area yet for scraps.
Reply:Originally Posted by seantJust so this thread has a pic here's a pic of my very first project I completed this week, not counting the table I guess:
Reply:Well your in CA, it's summer, so if you truly think you can get it done before rain, I would just keep it off the ground.
Reply:Yeah, this was almost 2 weeks ago now and I've learned a lot since then Plus picked up some 7018 instead of the 6013 used above and it welds SOOOO much better. When I get a chance I'll grind off the paint and put some more passes all over the base and the hook. I'm probably just going to wait until I'm much closer to starting the project to buy. I don't want to add a ton of rust removal to the project Originally Posted by tbone550Hey seant, you could stand a couple more stringers on each side of that hook.  I'd bet that one good whack with a 4-lb hammer would break those welds.  For light use, it might hold up as is depending on what you do with it, but you generally want your welds to be about as wide as what you're welding to.  In your case, maybe 3 passes on each side instead of one.  As far as outdoor steel storage, good luck.  Anything stored outside here, even for a day or two, starts to rust.  For scraps, have you called around to local welding shops?  Most of them have a scrap dumpster and I'd think some of them would be glad to sell stuff out of the dumpster to you.  It'd beat the nickel a pound or whatever they're getting paid for scrap.  Offer a dime a pound and you could probably buy all you want.
Reply:Originally Posted by seantI'm probably just going to wait until I'm much closer to starting the project to buy. I don't want to add a ton of rust removal to the project
Reply:Just get some mineral oil and a paint sprayer or yard sprayer. Paint sprayer spreads it out much better. It will last at least a few weeks but will have to reapply.
Reply:Originally Posted by Country MetalsJust get some mineral oil and a paint sprayer or yard sprayer. It will last at least a few weeks but will have to reapply.