Procuring steel

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How well received is someone at a steel yard that just wants a small amount of material. Do the large yards cater to that, or do I need to find a small operation?Dumb question, but I don't want to look dumb as well.Lee TiltonSCCA F500 Pilot
Reply:Lots of steel yards have a "drop" or "short" rack, and are glad to sell what would otherwise be scrapped. They might not have exactly what you want, but most of the time you find more than you came for.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Don't ignore the scrap metal yards either. Although they are disappearing in my area since we have outsourced most of the manufacturing either overseas or to lower labor cost areas, I still can buy most of my needs at $0.30 per lb vs $1.50 to $2.00 per lb new. You can burn off that cheesburger you had for lunch cleaning off the surface rust.JimCut an MGB and widened 11" C4 Corvette suspension and LT1 Chevrolet power & 6 spd. Pictures here:Part 1http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,7581Part 2http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,22422
Reply:I go to a couple of local Steel Fab shops regularly for small ($10-$50) purchases.They are always very accommodating to me, even willing to cut sheet and rod pieces to length for me. I never get any "too small to bother" attitude. These are down to earth, blue collar folks!  I normally pay cash, which makes for easy transactions.  Also, as TozzieWelding pointed out, "drops" are usually available in miscellaneous sizes and make a great source of metal for small projects.  They usually sell this to me at a fraction of regular prices....I buy some every time I'm there and maintain a home inventory of ready stock.
Reply:If there is a machine shop in the area..There's usually all sorts of stuff in the cut off pile..And some shops have piles..We do.. And they would be more than happy to get you what you need......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:My local steel suppliers sell drops for the same price as the new stuff.  They will sell me anything I want for a Price.Look for a metal supermket.  They have specialty steel and will sell any size.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I've found the scrap yards a great source for small jobs. Almost any metal you need, SS, AL , or whatever your looking for. One really good local steel yard locally, will sell one length at a time, even if it's just 1/4 square stock.Last edited by WolfmanJack13; 05-16-2007 at 11:20 PM.
Reply:look for a "metal managment" close to you, they buy & sell..... just picked up 6 shiney new 24' sticks of 2x2x3/16" square tubing for $60..... the local steel retailer wanted a hundred bucks a stick
Reply:I've never had a problem.  I always check at the scrapyard first but I've also got a handy fabrication shop nearby.  If I just need a couple of short lengths, I can normally just give some loose change and walk away with them.  I'm sure it just goes in his pocket but who cares.  It's win-win really.www.abou27.com
Reply:I use the local businesses that are larger than me but still use steel and other metals. This way, they buy it at a volume discount and pass the savings on to me. John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:I use a metal scrapyard near the office and they carry drops/shorts, new stuff and just about everything, Mild Steel, AL, SS etc.  They never give me grief on any pieces I buy. I even went there one time and sheepishly bought a 2 ft. piece of 3 inch 3/8 wall square tube thinking they surely had a short that I could pickup.  The guy grabbed a full 20 footer (looked like 20 feet) and lopped the end off with no questions asked.  I think you'll find the scrapyard guys are generally pretty good ole boys and are willing to help.  Now go to the counter at a place that sells new and they might make you buy the whole piece but they'll still treat you right...generally.You never know until you walk up and ask.  Whatever you do don't be afraid to ask about what your buying and if you're not sure about the difference in grade of material....ASK ASK ASK they'll tell you.Michael
Reply:Yep, gotta shop around.Various GrindersVictor Journeyman torch200cf Acet. 250cf oxygenLincoln 175 plus/alpha2 gunLincoln v205t tigLincoln 350mpEsab 650 plasmaWhen you can get up in the morning, Its a good day.Live each day like its your last.