Metal for Fabrication

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New to Metal Working - like really new.I need to learn how metal is procured and the types, uses etc...I am looking to fabricate some stuff and want to get a much knowledge as possible.Where are good places to find scrap. what to look for in scrape, common sizes of tubing, square tubing etc...Thanks!
Reply:To see what is available, you could stop by the Home Deep. They'll have angle iron in steel and aluminum, rod, and sheet. Then, RUN don't walk away: never buy from HD, because their retail prices are insane. Metals are sold on the commodities market, and prices fluctuate daily. For new materials, best to visit the steel suppliers in your area (they may be in the yellow pages under "ironworks" or some similar name) and learn their specific sales policies, because it differs from yard to yard. The place near me charges a fee per cut, for instance, and has a rule that you can't take up space in their yard cutting it yourself. This changes from yard to yard. You can expect some sticker shock if you go to buy new materials.Scrap is where you find it. Sometimes you can go to a scrap yard and buy from them. This varies from place to place too- some places don't want "civilians" stumbling around heaps of scrapped steel with heavy equipment moving around, other places don't care. Other times you may have scrap in your house and not realize it: you or your neighbors may have old bedframes laying around waiting to be repurposed.
Reply:Good info thanks!
Reply:You can get bedframes on Craig's List ( http://www.craigslist.org/ ) and Freecycle ( http://www.freecycle.org ).  Check to see if either is active in your area.I posted a request for bedframes on the local Freecycle list and now have 4 or 5, plus some rod and some heavy wire fencing.  Not the best structural steel, but the price is certainly good for material used in the learning process.
Reply:Curtix,Plenty of answers and guidance here. It would benefit you to fill in your location in your profile. Many times, other locals can steer you to the "right" merchant or warn you of deceptive practices at other enterprises.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:http://www.metalreference.com/index1.htmlGood quick reference guideEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Great Stuff. Thanks Esp to Broccoli.Will fill in more location information.Thanks.
Reply:Once in the groove, you will learn what the going price is per pound for common steel shapes.  You can look up what a particular angle or channel or beam shape weighs and estimate what it should cost.  I haven't bought new in awhile so I can't advise you on that.  There is a fab shop near me that will sell scrap plate and odds and ends for 30 cents a pound."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:For scraps for "just learning" on you want the cheapest source that you can find, because most of your beginning efforts will be just something in different shapes to run a some beads on.Home Depot is likely the most expensive place to buy your metal.  Look in the Yellow Pages for "metal salvage" and "metal fabrication". Most salvage yards re-sell used metal plates, bar, and angle. Some also sell new. In either case it will be way cheaper than buying the same from Home Depot or Lowes. A 20' length new will likely cost what 3-4' of the same will cost you at Home Depot. Local machine/fabrication shops may also be a good source. Some will let you pick from their scrap and charge you by the pound for whatever you take. The charge is usually about what they would get from the salvage yard for it. Be polite and make friends with them. It will pay off when they get to know you better. If you just want practice metal they may even "loan" you some scrap that you then "return" after you have practiced on it.. They will come out ahead because it will weigh more when you return it.  When I was a teen I made friends at two fabrication shops near where I lived and they started setting aside pieces that they thought I might want. They knew what I could carry on my bicycle and set the pieces alongside the dumpster for me to take whenever I came by. After a short time they just gave me these scraps and I returned anything that I didn't make into something useful. I can remember one night that it took me 8 trips to get it all home on my bike. Sometimes they would even let me into the weld booths to watch and talk to their weldors. I learned a lot from them. When I got older and had a car they saved me larger pieces.CharleyMiller MM252Miller Bobcat 225NTMiller DialArc HF / DIY Cooler2 Victor O/A TorchsetsMilwaukee 8" Metal SawMilwaukee Dry Cut "Chop" Saw 5 Ton Wallace Gantry Various Grinders, Benders, etc.
Reply:Thanks all.
Reply:Found these guys http://www.speedymetals.com Anyone care to take a look and check online prices and see if fair.Thanks!
Reply:Try this, they have a yard in Ashland, VA and prices are good. If you buy a minimum of $100 they will deliver to you free.http://www.steelservicesinc.com/ss_c...re_summary.cfm
Reply:great thanks
Reply:You might try the following.  I don't know anything about them.Integrity Steel, Inc 1285 Carl D Silver ParkwayFredericksburgOwen Steel Co Of Va9434 Crossroads ParkwayFredericksburgThe $.30/lb stuff:Oilfield Pipe & Supply, Inc.Glen Allen, VAChase: 804-382-2858I have dealt with BMG Metals and Richmond Steel locally."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder