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I had alittle project i did in my mig class at college. The instructor let me bring in some angel iron and weld up a  portable stand for my deer target. Took alot longer then i thought to. I have a few more projects in mind one a small  flat top square charcoal/wood grill. Nothing to big just a large cooking area properly 2 foot by 3 foot maybe. Planning on making it out of angel iron and some flat steel sheets properly 1/8 inch mayb e 1/4 inch not sure yet. Where is normaly the best place to buy angle iron and general steel and metal. I got my angle iron at lowes for about 20 bucks for two 1''x4' pieces and one 4 foot 1/2 piece for support a few class mates said that was way high. I asked the local scrap yard they thought they might have some  but when i told them lowes price she said well i ant going to sell it to you cheap cheap. Kind in a rude manner seems  cheap would be enough for me i understand she needs to make money but i also know shes paying like 10 cents a pound for it and  i am the one digging it out and cutting it up
Reply:The big box stores is not where you want to buy steel is cost is important to you. Look in the yellow pages for "steel supplier" and get yourself a 20 foot stick of your favorite angle. They'll likely cut in half for nothing.  Compare that 20 foot stick with what you paid for a shorty at Lowes.
Reply:The metal wholesalers are the way to go however up my way there is a 500.00 minimum order.So if you dont need a lot of metal make friends with a welder,when he gets an order ask him to include a small order for yourself.You may pay a small premium if hes not too friendly  but you will be much happier with your overall bill.FelonCaution lurker lives here" hmmm That is serious,pass the ganja and pick up a  24 of MGD"
Reply:You do NOT want to buy metal from a hardware store, unless you have lots of money to burn.  Post your location and maybe someone will have some suggestions for you.  In the Dallas, TX area I refer people to King Architectural (no, I don't work for them).  They have a large selection of material, the people are good to deal with mostly, and the prices are average.  Like was said above, some places have a minimum order, call around your area.
Reply:BigTim - I ditto what the others have said about not buying your steel at the big box stores. In Atlanta, I get mine from this place, but most large cities have steel wholesalers that will sell to the public. Mine has no minimum order and is hobbiest friendly. The last time I bought steel about 3 months ago, I paid about 50 cents a pound for it. http://www.imsgasteel.com/I also found a small fabrication shop that will sell me steel, but they are about 30% more pricey than the wholesaler.Lincoln 175HD Miller AC/DC ThunderboltSmith AW1, Dillion (Henrob) Mark III, & Smith LittleTorch
Reply:12 bucks will get you a stick of 1" x 1" x 1/8" angle in my neck of the woods... And plate around here is around 45 a hundred weight. Yeah.. Buying from the hardware store is not a good idea unless it's a last resort.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:I've been having problems finding a metal source also,  I'm in the York, PA area.  The distributiors i've talked to wouldn't sell to me.  The guy from PA steel was just downright rude about it. I'm trying to get a couple of sticks of square tube and 2 sheets.  If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear it. I just picked up my new (to me) mig last night, now i need some material to weld
Reply:sreachard, I don't know how far east you go on a regular basis. I've dealt with Hoover Steel in the past at my old job and they will deal with small guys.  Roughly between the Morgantown exit of the PA TPK and King of Prussia exits.http://www.hooversteel.com/I know a bunch more places that are farther east along the Delaware River in PA and Jersey but they are probably too far most likely for you..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:Thanks, I'll give them a try, i was just out that way yesterday to pick up my mig.