Steel sources?

[n9viw]

This may be a repeat, but I just did a search of this site and a bit in the archives and couldn't find anything.

Where do you guys go for raw steel? Scrounged steel around here is tough to get, because the hoopties always get there before I get out of work. I could get exercise machines from the local resale shops, but they're generally REALLY heavy, and the resale/consignment shops want, like, REAL money for them! :eek:

I just priced a 5' cut of 2x3" 0.083" from MetalExpress.com, and I about fell out of my skin- $30!! I paid less than that for ten feet of .120 x 1.25" round tubing a few years ago, and that was SHIPPED! I could mock up a piece of 2x3 using 1" EMT, but that'd be pretty expensive, too, and would make for some weird cuts and welds.

There's a steel supplier about three hours south of me that has ends and returns rusting in an outside yard, they get about 0.60/lb. The yard stock is "catch-as-catch-can", so you're never sure what they'll have, or if it'll work for your project, and it's pretty heavy stuff - 0.120 wall and thicker. They have thinner stock inside their warehouse, but that's pricey like MetalExpress too.

So, where do you guys get your stock?

[trikeman]

Two sources new shiny steel for me:

(1) A large steel supplier in Atlanta called Industrial Metals and Surplus. About $1/pound.

(2) A local welding and fabrication shop. They will order for me usually at a slightly higher price than (1) above, but also sell their drops (scraps) for about 75 cents a pound.

Of course the local thrift stores and dumpster diving is always preferable, but steel is getting harder and harder to find thanks to the Chinese, Indians, and other developing countries, who have suddenly discovered our lifestyle is a good thing. It is going to get worse before it gets better. The prices of all commodities have sky rocketed in the last few years. Sell your stocks and stock pile steel in your basement :) The good news is that those who cannot build bikes and smaller vehicles will be at our mercy!

On a similar note, I was visiting my Dad and Mom last week. They live about 350 miles from me. My Dad was a scrounger before scrounging was cool lol. They have 5 acres and some of it is wooded. I went exploring in the woods and found some very nice 12 foot long 6"x3" I-beams and 1/2" steel plate, as well as lots of 1/8" steel sheet and various other steel treasures and riding lawn mower carcasses just rusting away in the under-growth. My next welding table is in them thar woods!! I gave my Dad strict instructions to not even think about hauling any away for scrap (at 20 cents a pound now) until he gives me the right of first refusal lol. I would have brought some home if I could have lifted it and I wasn't with my son in his VW Golf.

[gbbwolf]

Yeah steel costs gone up even for scrap its over 400 bucks a ton.
I finally found a place to get 1.5" square tubing it was 35 bucks for 24 feet.
And he told me next time it will be 43 bucks.
Steel went up again....
GRRRRR

[TheKid]

http://www.metalsdepot.com/

http://www.speedymetals.com/pc-4769-8251-1-12-x-41664-x-1-12-wall-square-steel-tubing.aspx

[n9viw]

Kid, I'd seen the Metals Depot link before, and they have the same thing for which I was looking (14ga 2" square) for a couple bucks less than MetalExpress. Is 16ga strong enough to use as a backbone for these rigs? Also, no reason why I was thinking about 2", other than it was a size. 1.5" would probably suit me just fine for the Actionbent clone I'm thinking of making after I make the Bandito.

[TheKid]

16 ga. is fine, especially if you're using 2" tubing.

[trikeman]

I think if you price out any of the online places on a per pound basis, you will find that they are robbing you. Of course if you buy any steal at places like Home Depot they rape and rob you for steel except for EMT.

[TheKid]

Shipping is where they really get you. Even before the gas price hikes, shipping from these places cost a fortune. I don't know about the other sites, but metals depot charges way less for the steel if you buy full lengths. They'll cut it for free so it can be shipped with UPS. Just specify the lengths and state you want it cut for UPS shipping in the comments box when you check out. (It may be called a special instructions box, I don't remember.) If you order a 24' length of steel tube for instance, you get the discount for the full length, plus the quantity discount. Just tell them you want it cut for UPS in four 6' lengths, or 3 8' lengths, or whatever lengths you want it cut to equalling 24". They still zap you with the shipping costs, butat least buying in quantity saves a few bucks. I only order online because there aren't many places around here that sell metal, and the places that do, don't have a very wide selection.

[locolarry]

Trikeman,
What's the address of the surplus place in Atlanta? Can I drive by there in an 18-wheeler? I was in Scotdale, today (actually over at the old Georgia Duck Belting plant in Avondale Estates).
Larry

[trikeman]

Trikeman,
What's the address of the surplus place in Atlanta? Can I drive by there in an 18-wheeler? I was in Scotdale, today (actually over at the old Georgia Duck Belting plant in Avondale Estates).
Larry

I don't see any reason you can't drive there in an 18 wheeler. I always feel very small as I drive my van into one of their huge warehouse buildings to get loaded up. Lots of big trucks coming and going. You may want to call them first for a price quote - they are very friendly on small orders even. I like their online inventory, but you have to call for prices. Take their online tour and you will see several 18 wheelers loading up.

http://www.imsgasteel.com/

You might also want to check out this place while you are here, which is very close by and also hobbyist friendly

http://www.gasteel.com/

[locolarry]

Thank you, Sir! I'll check'em out.
Larry:)

[Pagan Wizard]

n9.....here is something a bit more local for you. Nice thing is with this one, you can pick up your steel and not pay huge shipping charges.

http://www.zibb.com/all/theme/p/Cold+Rolled+Steel+Alloy+Sheet/Franklin+Park%2c+IL

Here is another place for you to considder.

http://www.rocosteeltube.com/index.htm

[Pagan Wizard]

I just searched the old forums and found this thread
http://www.lucidscience.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1796&SearchTerms=steel,source

In it I also found a dealer in Elk Grove Village, which is very close to where we live n9, here is thier link as well
http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/MSC-home.aspx

[TheKid]

I tried several online sources, but metals depot has the fastest service. Since that tip on ordering long pieces and specifying UPS shipping, I only ordered once. I saved quite a bit by ordering a large quantity, and still have plenty left over. There've been some odds and ends I needed, but I bought them semi-locally over the phone and had a friend pick them up for me.

[n9viw]

PW, thanks for the link to Metal Supermarkets. Even if it's a little more expensive to pick up, I don't mind- I don't want to have to buy 30' of tubing at a time just to get a price break, when I only need 5'!

[bentbuilder_jawnn]

Wicks air craft supply , but they no longer have the nesting tube for the 2" round.

Dont worrie about price of steel, a good bike will be worth far more than you can imagine.

I need 1.75 or 2" sq tube .065" or less where is the best place to get it?

[Pagan Wizard]

PW, thanks for the link to Metal Supermarkets. Even if it's a little more expensive to pick up, I don't mind- I don't want to have to buy 30' of tubing at a time just to get a price break, when I only need 5'!

You also won't have to pay insane shipping charges either.