Cost of rising inputs. How are you coping?

admin

I was in Tractor supply this afternoon, and bought 225 lbs of hobart rods at $32/ 25lbs box which was a good bit less than I have been paying from my supplier, and it got me thinking.   I was curious and thought i would see what you guys are paying for filler metals. ie.... Stick electrodes, wire, tig rods, etc...  With the continued rising cost of fuel and steel I'm having to cut and save where possible.  As far as steel goes I'm not really stocking alot of steel anymore unless it is a commonly used piece.  I'm definitely doing alot more shopping around than I have in the past.  Just thought it might be interesting to compare.  so what are you guys paying on supplies, and what are you doing to keep competitive with these rising inputs?I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Been keeping an eye open for deals on all the shop supplies wire, welding rod, grinding wheels you name it. Tomorrow I think I will quit selling iron To walk ins just getting to be much to do free engineering for them and being out of a size when I need it. I have tried explaining the outrageous cost increases for iron and delivery but everyone thinks I'm screwing them so I guess they can go somewhere else to find out for themselves. Now some of the gas suppliers in this area have gone back to the low ball quotes to get thier foot in the door But I have played that game before and I'm not playing again.Been trolling Ebay pretty regular for consumables, wire ect. I have unusual priveliges at a local scrap yard that processes a lot of plate skeletons thinking of setting up the burning table and straight line torch there to make my own flats so to speak.Last edited by lars66; 07-13-2008 at 08:20 PM.
Reply:I gave 117 for a 50lb box of 5/32 ShieldArc-Hyp+ last week 109 for 50 of 5P+. I think the 1/8 Excalibur was 98 for 50. I'm pretty picky on the electrodes I use. Oxy fills run me 19 for a 240 cuft bottle and acetylene is 48 for the 90 and 78 for the 420. Gasoline and diesel are eating my lunch but not a lot I can do about that except drive as little as possible. I also raised my rates 10 bucks an hour. The only material I supply is what I have on hand and don't plan on purchasing any more. I do when I have to for a project but I try and get the customer to take care of that as well as handling and transport if the order is more than a small amount. If I have to do it they get charged for my time at regular hourly rate. If it is for material I can't use very often like the 1 1/2 round that I have to purchase 20 feet at a time They pay for the whole stick and can find something to do with whats left over. My main steel supplier told us last month he may shut the gate and call it quits.Last edited by Jolly Roger; 07-13-2008 at 09:38 PM.Reason: added moreThe difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:I shop around the surplus stores and bargain centers in my area. I guess they buy pallet lots of all sorts of things and you never know what they will have in from one week to the next.I got lucky about a month ago and they had about ten or fifteen, 50 pound  cans of 1/8" 6010 5P+, a little dented up but all were still sealed, bought four cans for 29.00 a can. About a week ago they had some Sait 4 1/2 grinding disks for .90 a piece, stocked up on those too.Trailblazer 302Hobart Stickmate AC/DCLincoln SP 135 TSmith torchSpoolmatic 30A