If you couldn't find a place that sold scrap steel...

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'round here I just can't seem to find a place that will sell scrap steel.I see lots of guys on here talking about their latest 'snag'A 3 foot section of 4" i-beam...A 2' x 4' 3/8" plate...Stuff like that...No scrap yard here will sell me steel, and they won't tell me where to find it. ("Well gee, I don't know.")I'm starting to think that I am going to have to pay out the wazoo for steel. Example, 20' of 1/8" x 1" angle for $28 at the local supplier. They also quoted me $22 for 12' of 3/16" 304 stainless round bar. It has come to my attention that these prices are pretty high, especially the round bar. On top of that, if I want a small section, they will only sell me the whole piece. So that means, no 2' x 4' welding table surfaces for me. Only 4' x 8'!Anyway... I'll end the rant and get to the question.If you just moved to a new place and was having a hard time finding place to buy steel by the pound... how would you go about finding it?
Reply:Call some local welding shops. I keep short crap around. I also always have people dropping in for the scrap bin out back. If they dont have any ask them where to start, they would be the ones to know. The steel salesman are not going to tell you so you will buy a whole piece. And those prices are HIGH!You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else. Albert Einstein
Reply:Ive moved to the middle of nowhere, but that was 5 years ago. Anyways, its really hard to find steel around here. A google search brings up two places that sell to the public, and actually sell steel (the rest shouldn't have been brought up in the search). One place closes at 3 on weekdays and isnt open on weekends, and the other is a nice little mom and pop place. Pops the only one left, and its located in what has the be the roughest neighborhood in miles of here. They will sell by the foot, and for $1 a cut, the little old overweight man will skip the safety glasses and ear protection, and gnaw through a chunk of steel with an old harbor freight chop saw, that sounds like its about to explode. They are somewhat affordable. But thats beside the point....Have you considered buying stuff online?? Ive started making a cartfull of stuff at metalsdepot.com to see about what something would cost to build, and then buying it locally. If the local place closes or that saw dies, then ill start ordering offline. Good luck man...[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseHave you considered buying stuff online?? Ive started making a cartfull of stuff at metalsdepot.com to see about what something would cost to build, and then buying it locally. If the local place closes or that saw dies, then ill start ordering offline. Good luck man...
Reply:Hey Lanse, check out onlinemetals.com. they want $1.72 for 4' of 304 3/16 round barmetalsdepot wants $4.48
Reply:No offense, but most times it's about how you act when you go places and inquire. If you go to these places and act at all like you've done here in several threads, it's no surprise no one is helping you. In numerous threads you been given answers, yet just don't listen to the replys and keep on hammering on the way you were before as if that will change the answer. You come across as a cocky kid who knows everything at times. Not the best way to get someone to help you with an issue. You need to be respectful, ask intelegent questions and come across as confident, but not cocky with an attitude. The kind of person who knows what he wants and is looking for a solution for a problem, not some cheap azz'd SOB who's looking for away to save a penny even if it costs them a dollar to do so. ( Not saying that's you).The other day while killing time waiting for the help to show up at the job, I noticed there was a company that did well drilling about a block from the job and they had a stack of pipe shorts from well casings laying out front. Figured WTF, I'd go see what they might want for a couple of chunks. I've got a need for a few odd pieces or so for a project and though I'd see what I could find. I stroll into the office and wait for the guy to finish his call and introduce myself. I mention I'm taking classes at the local tech school for welding and noticed they had some shorts and wondered what kind of numbers they might want for a few pieces to practice on...  He offers me about 4 or 5 1' long 6"OD shorts at NC, I offered to pay but he refused.  I ask a few questions since he's willing to chat and doesn't seem in a rush. What machines do they have, rods do they usually use, settings, etc. He commented on my work truck while we were loading the pipe. I doubt I'd have gotten any where if I'd stormed in and interupted his call, stood around lookin impatient while he dealt with a client, interupted his lunch, asked a bunch of stupid questions or wanted "free" stuff.There's steel all over the place IF you know where to look and how to ask. Machine shops, welding shops, scrap metal recyclers, auto salvage yards, small hardware stores even have it in some places ( one of my best locations is a small old time hardware store in Jersey), farm supply stores, buildings under construction or being demo'd... You should see the load of scrap steel the guy up the street collects on trash nights that people are tossing out. Often a couple cups of coffee, the offer of a few bucks to the guy in the shop, and you are on your way. In some ways you've got a strike against you if you look like a kid, in other ways you can use it to your advantage if you tell them you are learning and are looking for practice material... Get past the office staff if it's a mid sized location and deal with the guys at the shop level if possible. The one auto yard I deal with if I ask the office I can't get in with out an escort for insurance reasons..., but stop at the shop and ask the shop guys if they've got this or that and they usually just wave me thru the shop and tell me what section to go look in, or they just want a good excuse to get out of the shop for a smoke break so they'll take me down and drop me off and head back..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:On the internet, the line between complete a-hole and confident person who speaks their piece is extremely fine.My general course of action is to walk up, if they aren't busy, maintaining eye contact and a smile, introduce myself and give a firm handshake. "Do you a moment to spare? I have a quick question and I don't want to be a bother."If yes, I continue with, "I'm a student welder and I'm looking for some odd shaped steel. I cannot afford to pay American Steel for large lengths, so I'm hoping to find someone who wouldn't mind selling me a handful of scrap steel."Then I get the "Sorry, we do not sell retail. We only sell truckloads of crushed steel."So I say, "That's fine. I appreciate the help. Do you know where I might be able to find scrap steel?"They say "Well gee, I don't know."I reply with a "Alright, well thank you very much for your time, I appreciate it. Take it easy now" and I excuse myself.I make a point of not judging peoples characters based on how they post on the internet. It's not fair to anyone.
Reply:Some online places seem to have a good price UNTILL you add the shipping in. Luckly i got a few suppliers around here. The place i buy from, you have to buy the full 20' piece but he cuts it for free for me. Usually around 6-8ft lengths, and the prices are well below what i find at other suppliers, but the catch is he dosent stock any material he orders it and usually i have to wait around a few days to a week but for the price its worth it. Check ebay for smaller lengths. I just ordered some 3/8'' 304 stainless rod for a project i have comming up and the cost was $1.48 for 1ft. pieces, i only need short pieces so it was worth itYa gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Originally Posted by welderShaneSome online places seem to have a good price UNTILL you add the shipping in. Luckly i got a few suppliers around here. The place i buy from, you have to buy the full 20' piece but he cuts it for free for me. Usually around 6-8ft lengths, and the prices are well below what i find at other suppliers, but the catch is he dosent stock any material he orders it and usually i have to wait around a few days to a week but for the price its worth it. Check ebay for smaller lengths. I just ordered some 3/8'' 304 stainless rod for a project i have comming up and the cost was $1.48 for 1ft. pieces, i only need short pieces so it was worth it
Reply:I have a local place that I go into that sells to everyone.  They have a huge rem section that they sell for $.50-.60 a pound.  They even even had some 1/4" plate that was was cut to 45 degrees and about 8" long on each leg for $.30 lb the other day.  I usually just cruise through every so often and buy stuff that looks useful.  I rarely buy anything specific unless I have to have it for something.
Reply:Originally Posted by kazlxI have a local place that I go into that sells to everyone.  They have a huge rem section that they sell for $.50-.60 a pound.  They even even had some 1/4" plate that was was cut to 45 degrees and about 8" long on each leg for $.30 lb the other day.  I usually just cruise through every so often and buy stuff that looks useful.  I rarely buy anything specific unless I have to have it for something.
Reply:"Remnant" or "drops" leftover from larger orders.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Locally there is Industrial Metal Supply, IMS, who sells scrap metal for about $0.50 a pound. You might want to see if there is a similar business by you. How about running a wanted ad on craigslist?BillMillermatic 2111960 Ford Ranchero1975 Dodge B200
Reply:I ran an ad on craigslist and someone suggested a guy who sells rusty steel at American Steel prices. I think my current plan of action is to just take a day to drive to all the local metal fab shops and asking them what they would do if they were in my shoes.
Reply:Taiden,I agree with DSW.  You say your "in person" attitude is different from your forum attitude.  I find that hard to believe. The first thing you need to get thru your young head is "NOBODY OWES YOU A DANG THING".Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Hmm This is why i keep all the left over steel from a job. It cut the cost down if i only need a short section of sumthing plus i got everything from expanded metal to floor plate from 1/8th of an inch to 1 inch thick. Pipes square tubing angle iron even a i beams, I ask them to take the hassel of cleanin up the scrap meatls and i just take waht i need.  oh yea did i menton that the scrap yard is like 5 acers big?????Of course I don't look busy.....I did it right the first time!
Reply:Originally Posted by TaidenI ran an ad on craigslist and someone suggested a guy who sells rusty steel at American Steel prices. I think my current plan of action is to just take a day to drive to all the local metal fab shops and asking them what they would do if they were in my shoes.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIITaiden,I agree with DSW.  You say your "in person" attitude is different from your forum attitude.  I find that hard to believe. The first thing you need to get thru your young head is "NOBODY OWES YOU A DANG THING".
Reply:Like DSW said, it does take some wisdom to get the deals.That $28 price for 1" angle, while high, isn't outrageous.  But you should be able to find better.  Was that price quoted over the phone?...I recently needed some 1.5" square tubing.  I called a few places and the best price was $48 for a 24' stick.  I needed it so I decided to go get it (I didn't order it over the phone).  I showed up on a Friday afternoon, was nice to the woman who took care of the orders, and somehow the price turned into $36 for the stick.  Excellent!  I waited patiently at the warehouse and the guy offered to cut it into 8' lengths to fit into my Golf, for free.I'm not sure how old you (Taiden) are, but to be honest the patience needed doesn't usually develop until you're over 30.  When we're young we all have a nervous energy that shows we just want to get in and out as quickly as possible.
Reply:Cool, thanks upand_at_them. I'll try to slow it down next time and give it another go.
Reply:Who are you and what have you done with the person with the same name here who was posting a few days ago? Seriously, your last couple of posts in a few threads today shows a whole different personality than the one you had a few days ago in the poll. I'm not sure if it's that you are beginning to see the light on some things (it usually called wisdom or aging in some cases) or if you aren't all hopped up on soda right now. A couple of your comments on your learning experiences of late shows you've had one of those "AH HA !!" moments (whether you realize it on not )... Attitude like this will get you ahead. Good job, Grasshopper.As an aside, I usually find the attitude of most on line is similar to their day to day one. If you are a straight shooter, respectful, courteous and helpful in day to day life, that attitude by reflex usually shows up in how you act on line. Everyone has buttons that when pushed sets them off. How they react when set off usually is a strong indicator of how they deal with things day to day. Those that immediately reply with insults and name calling usually do it in real life....No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Taiden,I used to go to a scrap yard which was the largest in the area when I needed a specific piece of steel but didn't want to buy new.  They got all the demo iron locally.  The first time I bought some steel there the old guy didn't say very much and charged me what I thought was a high price.  I didn't complain, just paid the man and was on my way.  By the third time I was in there buying some stuff the old guy recognized me, talked to me like we were old friends and gave me a good price.  I guess he figured I was going to be a regular customer and sooner or later I would figure out what it was really worth.Most of the new steel suppliers sell to customers on account and don't like to bother with small cash sales.  Somebody will be willing to take your money.  If no supplier will, find a small welding shop and buy through them.  It will cost a little more but they can cut it up for you and the more steel the shop buys the better the discount will be on their own orders.Good luck"The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:Taiden, another place to look is at a commercial sheetmetal shop, sign shops, muffler shops, and gate/ fence companies. These guys all weld, in some degree or another. Many will have scraps you can hit them up for. Also, the guys working in the bays might know where a small shop is for project size steel. Any leads they give you, call and ask if they sell rems or drops. If not, then you will have to really plan your projects, and figure out the lengths and sizes you will need. You might have to road trip to some steel in a bigger city, or industrial center far from you. IF SO.... take a cordless sawzall with you and some good blades. Many shops will not bother to cut for you, so you might have to cut a 20ft piece of angle or tube down to a shorter piece so you can haul it home. I did a project in Watsonville on the race boat mods I worked on..... we had to ship metals in from 150 miles away to get a doable price.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Also, almost forgot!! Get a good idea what you are looking for, by size and thickness. When you ask for 2x3 rectangular tube... they are going to say What gauge???? Be prepared to know an acceptable series of metals; say instead of 2x3x .090 steel, you could use a 2x3x1/8 angle, or 2x2x1/8 square tube. Many smaller shops are limited in what they carry, and as such, the best deal is on what they stock, not what they can get you.......And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Thanks all for the excellent ideas. I'm going to do more research and 'meet and greet' in our local metal fab community. I had another thought... maybe I can order steel through my school?  Originally Posted by DSWWho are you and what have you done with the person with the same name here who was posting a few days ago?Originally Posted by TaidenThanks all for the excellent ideas. I'm going to do more research and 'meet and greet' in our local metal fab community. I had another thought... maybe I can order steel through my school?
Reply:One of the major steel suppliers here also runs a huge fab shop. Anything they think might be of interest to the walk in guys they throw into bins where it sets for awhile. Now keep in mind these pieces don't sell at scrap prices. They sell at regular prices but it is a way of getting small chunks without paying for the cut. They figure if they are going to get scrap prices they aren't going to tie up the time it takes to inventory, organize and/or screw with it. If it doesn't move they chuck it in the dumpster headed for the scrap yard. I think a lot of places may look at small pieces that way. If I get 80 cents a pound for a 20 foot stick how many times can I afford to handle a tiny 1 pound piece and still make a profit on it? I think we walk into a supplier and look at a small piece like it's scrap and should go for scrap prices. They do too. A one time 20 foot chuck at the dumpster and they'll get scrap prices. In fact the scrap yard comes and picks it up and leaves a new dumpster. After they've handled a little piece about so many times just for us guys that don't want to buy a full section they are gonna want paid for it.The guy at the counter spends ten minutes with one guy and sells $300.00 worth. Spends ten minutes hunting up some 1 foot piece and he's supposed to make $1.29 ?? Nah. Best bet is to buy a full stick whether you need it all or not. After a few projects you'll have your own scrap pile. A lot of scrap yards don't want the liability of some guy pulling a two footer out of the bottom of a twenty foot high pyramid or wandering around with his head down while the magnet is flinging scraps from the pile to the RR car.Last edited by Sandy; 12-05-2010 at 04:59 PM."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyBest bet is to buy a full stick whether you need it all or not. After a few projects you'll have your own scrap pile. A lot of scrap yards don't want the liability of some guy pulling a two footer out of the bottom of a twenty foot high pyramid or wandering around with his head down while the magnet is flinging scraps from the pile to the RR car.
Reply:Originally Posted by billyonsLocally there is Industrial Metal Supply, IMS, who sells scrap metal for about $0.50 a pound. You might want to see if there is a similar business by you. How about running a wanted ad on craigslist?
Reply:When I started my shop I bought from another local machine shop. Intitally there price was high, but after I became a regular customer I started getting a discount. Most times I might buy anywhere from $20 to $100 worth of steel. These places are out there. Check with the local mobile welder and find out where they get there steel from. Most of the mobile welders around here only buy what they need for a job. That means short or precut lengths. I now buy mostly from larger suppliers that ship orders to me, but in a pinch I can always go back to the local machine shop for that odd piece.   The main thing to remember is to cultivate relationships in the industry. I started when I was young. Just be gracious and thank them for what ever you do or do not get, eventually you'll find a person or company that will help you.
Reply:Originally Posted by joedirt1966X2.I almost always buy several full sticks when I go to the local steel yard.  The left overs hang around until the next project comes along.
Reply:My cousin scraps for a living and works at 2 junkyards here in NJ.If I need anything I just ask him, he'll drop it off in my yard for Free.He's got SO much **** in his barn, he's starting to unload stuff in my garage.I came home a couple weeks ago, walk into my garage, and found a massive wood stove(custom made), motorcycle saddle bags, fairings, a vise-press, and a 1940 bicycle frame, and all kinds of other scrap metal.I walk in, and almost tripped over all this stuff,.I'm like "dude, give me a heads up next time you just drop off all this stuff! I almost tripped and killed myself! "All I did was give him an old pair of mufflers I had laying around, and I got like 10 things in return,Lincoln 125HD, yep I'm a big spender.