any advice on metal purchasing

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Trying to go independent, any advice on how/where to purchase small amounts of sheetmetal and other materials? I am familiar with the big distributors, but orders are too small, and the smaller suppliers want to rob me cost wise. (75.00/ sheet, 4x8, 16ga.)Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:Some retailers don't want to mess with small quantities, which is a shame. Join forces with other guys and buy in bulk is one way to get around it. Have you thought about salvage yards?
Reply:www.onlinemetals.com can be good for special small stuff. www.bencosteel.com and Carolina Metals here in Hickory sell small quantities. Conover Metals too.A friend had a good experience with these guys in Winston. They have a CLT location.http://www.atlanticscrap.com/affiliate.phpFind a buddy at a big shop or plant maintenance to look for good castoffs and start a stockpile? My plant charges employees $.06/lb for scrap metal but the property pass process can be a PITA.Lincoln SA200, HH135, Lencospot, HF80 Inverter, Rockwell 11x35 lathe, HF drill mill, Kama 554 tractor w/ FEL & BH, Belarus 250AS, lot's of Chinese tools
Reply:I just had to buy 5 sheets of 4 x 8 diamond plate for a job it was 1/8 cost $1059.00metal prices is going crazy
Reply:That doesn't seem like a bad price for 16ga given the current market. Go get some 1/4" plate and you will think that is cheap. Twelve 4X8's priced at  a little over $3400.00 with sales tax two weeks ago.Last edited by Jolly Roger; 07-19-2008 at 08:59 PM.Reason: changedThe difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:My advise is to buy as much as you can at that price. I buy 500 ton a month so I guess I am a big guy and my price is $0.80/LB. Yours is a little over a dollar/LB. Keep your eye on the metals market for pricing because we are on our 3rd increase this year just for the raw material cost. Shipping is a whole 'nuther story.
Reply:This makes me wonder if selling off my excess metal as my WIFE wants is such a good idea even though it's bringing such a good price right now. I am just a small "Job Shop" machine shop who also does fab, welding, and cutting work. What do you guys think?Chuck in South Carolina
Reply:Originally Posted by sc6chuck9This makes me wonder if selling off my excess metal as my WIFE wants is such a good idea even though it's bringing such a good price right now. I am just a small "Job Shop" machine shop who also does fab, welding, and cutting work. What do you guys think?Chuck in South Carolina