Buying Material? Stay away from the chain stores

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I am a newbie and this is for the newbies as I am sure the veterans know this.I went to Home Depot today for a small project and figured I'd pick up the small amount of steel I needed while I got everything else. What I needed and the cost is as follows;1 1/4  x 1 1/4  x 1/8" angle - 6' was the longest they had and it was $17.971/8" x 2" x 3' - $11Looking at these prices I knew the steel yard up the street would be cheaper so I ran over there to buy the steel and see just how much cheaper. WOW!!!The angle was $15.75 FOR 20 FEETThe flat bar was $11.00 FOR 20 FEET
Reply:I went to Home Despot to get a bit of sheet metal, an 1/8 sheet of 20 gauge was about the same price as half a sheet of 16 gauge at the metal place!
Reply:They rape you on many things. Look at what they price 1/2 and 1/4 sheets of plywood and drywall at, or 5 foot or shorter pieces of pipe. Often you can buy a full piece for just a tiny bit more than what they want for the small ones.At least you knew to go down the street to the metal supplier. Unless I'm really stuck late in the evening or on Sunday for an emergency, HD is the last place I'd go for steel..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:I agree! Its rediculous the prices of small quantitys of steel they charge.I bet it's imported from China!THE OLDER I GET! THE  SMARTER MY DAD WAS!Thermal Arc 185 inverter Tig welderABITIG 26  tig torchLotus foot pedalLincoln 225 stick welderClark 185SG Mig spoolgunwelderVictor torch/regulatorsHF36" shear,bender,roller.
Reply:2'x2' exspaned metal is $24.00 i canget a 4'x8' sheet for $50.00
Reply:Home Depot is one of my least favorite places.  They used to be OK about 10 years ago but have lowered the quality of everything they sell.  I have read that they have their own line of tools from most of the tool manufactureres that are of lessor quality so they can sell for less.  Like the dewalt angle grinders they sell are different than the "normal" dewalts you can buy elsewhee.  They know that most homeowners don't know about steel supply shops so they take advantage of you buy marking prices up.  With the short peices of pipe, a lot of home owners don't have trucks or only need a short amount so they will buy the shorter lengths and home depot knows this and takes advantage of them.And yes most of their stuff is from China.  They used to have quality materials but in the last 5 to 10 years they have cut corners where ever they can and have stopped selling quality materials when the can get cheap materials that they can make more proffit on. We have a Menards in town that is a little better but not by much.
Reply:Home depot is alright. I bought a 4 1/2" angle grinder with a lifetime warrant for 60 bucks at 830PM :lol:
Reply:Was it a Rigid?   Bought a Rigid 1/2 inch hammer drill and am really impressed with it... Originally Posted by pyroracing85Home depot is alright. I bought a 4 1/2" angle grinder with a lifetime warrant for 60 bucks at 830PM :lol:
Reply:when you need that expanded sheet, angle iron or 2x2" tubing at 9:30pm... i dont know of any steel suppliers thats open that late.Home depot/Lowes and stores like it are like Emergency Room.  If it's not an emergency @ 9:55pm, you dont need to go there for the material.
Reply:They are not screwing you,,,,,   in the quantities of metal they deal with, they still need to make a profit.   If one needs small quantities, after hours and on weekends, it is an alternative, they are not setting the price, they are simply making it available if one needs it.   Nobody is holding a gun to your head ....
Reply:Originally Posted by jsfabThey are not screwing you,,,,,   in the quantities of metal they deal with, they still need to make a profit.   If one needs small quantities, after hours and on weekends, it is an alternative, they are not setting the price, they are simply making it available if one needs it.   Nobody is holding a gun to your head ....
Reply:Originally Posted by RonG . . .Looking at these prices I knew the steel yard up the street would be cheaper so I ran over there to buy the steel and see just how much cheaper. WOW!!!The angle was $15.75 FOR 20 FEETThe flat bar was $11.00 FOR 20 FEET
Reply:Originally Posted by cmartman46Who is setting the price?
Reply:Joe's right.  If it's an emergency, and your supplier is closed on Sat afternoon, and Sunday, you gotta hit the other places.  Same with wire and electrodes.If you have storage try to buy at least a half stick of whatever you need at the moment from your steel supplier.  You might just need a few inches, but you'll have the material on hand next time you need it, and won't be forced to hunt for someone to sell it to you."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by dellwasWas it a Rigid?   Bought a Rigid 1/2 inch hammer drill and am really impressed with it...
Reply:and to be honest with you I don't even remember seeing home depot with steel supplied.