Newbie in Tampa

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Hello all, great site! I am new to this site and welding in general, but am looking forward to learning. I am located in the Tampa area and this question is aimed at other forum members around my locale. Does anyone have any suggestions on retail metal sources in the area, scrap and drops in particular, I have looked online and checked out the big ones like tampabay steel and tampa steel & supply. I am looking for Plate, tubing, and expanded metal in particular. I live in the southshore area of east bay. I plan on building a welding cart and welding table as my first projects so looking to find material for those first. Just bought a Tweco\Thermal Arc 211i and am eager to start using it.Thanks Much
Reply:Did you look at the metals outlet at tampa bay steel, they steel drops and will cut to order. There is also pipe and steel supply on 7th ave in Ybor.Mike
Reply:Great question, tyler.  i'm also interested in sources in the area.  Thanks Mike for those leads.I tried a friend for some scraps from her shop, but she only uses aluminum. I'm not ready to try that yet.i just picked up my C25 tank today at Praxair down on 50th. So, I'm ready to get started learning...
Reply:Well there's that tall old rusty looking water tower that doesn't seem to be in use....It's up there on the north side of town, maybe off of 41....Millermatic 185, Lincoln AC/DC 225, Victor torch set, Hypertherm Powermax30 XP, Chicago Electric 90 amp flux core welder, Milwaukee Chopsaw, Wilton Drillpress, lots of hand tools and a nice small shop with a 4' X 8' welding table.
Reply:Welcome Tampa.Arcon Workhorse 300MSPowcon 400SMTPowcon SM400 x 2Powcon SM3001968 SA200 Redface1978 SA250 DieselMiller Super 32P FeederPre 1927 American 14" High Duty LatheK&T Milwaukee 2H Horizontal MillBryan
Reply:sometimes drops and scraps are no better deal then buying a full length stick of material and cutting it yourself.  The tru trick is to get it at a jobber price instead of just walking in the door and pay the "joe nobody" price.  Remember that the idea on the retail yard is to sell the stick, then the drops as well as a cutting fee.  Buy the stick and walk out the door.
Reply:WelcomeWe purchase from TBS at our shop and I recently went on a tour of their facility and they have a top notch operation. Chances are they will have anything you need. Take a look around their drops yard and you will find many things you'll want to pick up for future projects.Sent from my SPH-L710 using TapatalkTOO MANY TOOLS & NO MORE SPACE