Steel Prices

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Hi there,Just wondering what I should expect to pay for 1/8 and 1/4 sheet metal...I got quoted 5.50 and 11.25 a sqaure foot (CAN$)...just want to make sure my newbie status isn't being exploited by the local outlet...  BTW: this is just basic steel, using to build a cart for my MIG...
Reply:Steel prices vary greatly depepnding on several things.  new steel I have priced anywhere from 35-80 cents depending on what it is and how much is bought.  I have never figured it by the square ft. only by the pound, which I usually pay around $.50/pound  plus or minus a few cents.  which would figure out to roughly $5.00 per square foot before taxes for 1/4inch.(US denomination)  I am not sure what the exchange rate is from Canada to US. Keep in mind that most suppliers charge a cut fee which will go up if you only buy partial sheets or joints, and also it has alot to do with how much steel you buy from them.  Its a volume thing.  I buy a  good bit from a couple of the local distributors here and I get alot better price than some of the farmers do just because of the quantity I buy per year.   As far as what is fair in Cananda I have no clue, but maybe some of that info will help ya.  ,Goodluck  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Shepdog - if you're in my neck of the woods (Edmonton) then a great resource would be Metal Supermarkets.  If I have a larger project I get reasonable prices on small volumes of stock (i.e. one piece of 4 x 8 sheet, for example) and if I have a smaller project I can always check the odds/cuts bin and get some solid deals.  I got some 1/4" plate for making misc. flanges on a gantry crane I just built at about $0.65 per pound, and it's normally around $1.10 or so if you're looking for small volumes.  I got 10lbs of 1/4" round bar odds (nothing under 4') for some window bars and only paid $3.50.  Walked out of there with some rusty old pipe for an anvil stand for FREE, just for getting rid of the old stock that had been there for 3 years or so (and it worked out GREAT).Also good to check in Canada are Maple Leaf Metals (scrap/recycling) and Castle Metals (some great deals on overstock items/odds).Cheers,Matt
Reply:Just bought 300 feet of .075 wall 2 inch square tube for $570including tax (71/2%) and delivery.I think it's about a dollar a pound.Carried it all from the truck to the back of the house in 100 degreeCalifornia sun.
Reply:Thanks guys...I'm in Burlington, outside of Toronto...right next to Hamilton aka "Steel Town", you'd figure it be cheaper there than anywhere...I think it's a volume thing mostly...I only ordered three pieces, all less than 24"x24" each, cut to spec...any good websites with price quotes out there just for reference?
Reply:Shepdog, thats is why your price is high.  They are hitting you for cutting it into pieces.  They have to take a full sheet and then cut out part of it which they may, or may not be able to sell at a leter time.  My suggestion would be if you can order a half sheet and cut the pieces yourself, You can always find a use for the stuff you have left over and can probably get it for about the same price considering what they might be charging for the cuts. Just a thought.  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Originally Posted by shepdogThanks guys...I'm in Burlington, outside of Toronto...right next to Hamilton aka "Steel Town", you'd figure it be cheaper there than anywhere...I think it's a volume thing mostly...I only ordered three pieces, all less than 24"x24" each, cut to spec...any good websites with price quotes out there just for reference?
Reply:Since it's for the shop and not your living room, don't forget about your local scrap dealer. On my last trip to Sims/LMC I picked up a 2x3x1/4 plate for around $18, along with 40ft of 1" square tubing, some misc. angle, and a few other odds and ends all priced out at around .30/lb.The downsides are that you can never be certain what they'll have on any given day and cuts are $5 each, but as a bonus you're entitled to unlimited free rust with every purchase.
Reply:Shepdog - http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/ - Metal Supermarkets (nothing in Burlington, unfortunately)===http://www.amcastle.com - Castle MetalsCastle Metals - Toronto2150 Argentia RoadMississauga, ONT L5N 2K7Tel. 905.858.3888Fax. 905.858.3883===http://www.toronto.servpro.ca/listco...rap-Metal.htmlListing of scrap brokers in and around TO.Cheers,MR
Reply:MR, awesome! Thanks heaps!  Awesome links...Mississauga and Hamilton are close enough...Anyway, my so called "cheap cart project" ended up being a bit more than the $70 mig cart I could have bought from Boss Tool Supply, but it was a good first project to practice on, the top serves as a table to weld on, bottle goes on the back, and the thing can double as a tank if need be...I'll post pics ASAP...
Reply:No probs, my friend - from one 'on a budget' welder to another!MR
Reply:Hi shepdog,I live in Hamilton and if you need steel in the future i would suggest beach road metals. They have all kinds of cut offs,secondary and new almost anything you need is there. I picked up some 3/8 plate brand new 4x3 for $40.00 so there is deals around. Open the phone book in Hamilton and look under steel and you will find at least 8 places. Good luck!!
Reply:Originally Posted by shepdogAnyway, my so called "cheap cart project" ended up being a bit more than the $70 mig cart I could have bought from Boss Tool Supply, but it was a good first project to practice on, the top serves as a table to weld on, bottle goes on the back, and the thing can double as a tank if need be...I'll post pics ASAP...
Reply:I just bought a 4x8 sheet of 1/8 inch plate for 68.10 and 4.09 in tax 72.19 total best price locally i could find Is that good or bad ?
Reply:Shepdog, B&D Steel is on northside road just off of Mainway near guelph line. We buy from them and they are not to bad. They have a lot of drops and off cuts that go for cheap. 905-332-4024www.reliancemachine.com
Reply:I just got 6x12 1/2 inch plate a 6x3 1/2 inch plate and a 4x8 1/4 inch plate for 400 dollars at az local they had no use for it anymore so they sold it to me for 25 cents a pound this was in a shop near edmonton