Where do you purchase steel stock for projects?

[gizz]

I know the best place to get steel is from local mfg companies scrap pile but I need some particular sizes of square and round tubing and can find nobody in my area that'll sell it to me. One place said they could get me some and asked "what do i need?".
What i need is some type of material/price list with available sizes and thicknesses so that i can decide. Anyone have any suggestions? Online sites that deliver?


(Edited by gizz at 12:02 pm on May 13, 2002)

[Mojave]

Don't know what area you are in, but I use Industrial Metal Supply, in Burbank, Ca. I don't think they have a published price list, but they have just about anything you could want, and they will deliver or ship. (818) 729-3333, or www.imsmetals.com.

[Gun Docc]

Gizz,

i usually get what i want thru an industrial supply house ###when i am hunting certain types of steel tubing but also get a lot of what i use thru a local welding shop that stocks many different types of steel

sometimes i make special orders from some of the steel suppliers here locally to get what i am after too

here is a good place to start with as it shows all the places near you (PA.) that carries steel tubing, some have websites and catalogs

Steel Tubing (http://www92.thomasregister.com/ss/.82157274064/TPdcolist.cgi?uuid=THgoogle&sid=82157274064&search_type=product&st=PA&script_name=TPdcolist.cgi&pn=0008142&search_string=Tubing&wherefrom=&pdm=&json=n&indexpage=n)

check a few of them out

Later,

[gizz]

Thanks a ton guys.
Gun Docc, that's a very helpful way of finding a company. Most of those places listed are a couple hour drive for me but I can always stock up and make a couple trips a year for bulk stuff. ###

[Brian S]

I am in southern California so I don't know of anyone in your area but check out McMaster.com . Thats for McMaster Carr they have an online catalog and you could probably have the paper version sent to you. They have just about everything you can imagine, from servo motors to trash bags. I have been responsible for keeping a grinding shop going for the last 10 years and have bought allot of stuff from them. Good luck
Brian

[Handcannon]

### ###As a Sheetmetalworker by trade I use various sizes both round and square steel and aluminum tubing most every week, by contacting one of the trades labor union hall I am sure they could point you to a contractors shop in your area that use these metals for fabrication purposes, probably could buy less than full lengths@ scrap prices.You might also check with the ironworkers or millrights.Good Luck. ### ### ### ### ### ###

[kmitch]

gizz,

I live near a large metropolitan area so getting steel is usually not a problem. I've found that the industrial suppliers will generally welcome your business. Many of them are open until noon Saturday to cater to customers like ourselves. Don't expect to be able to buy less than full length pieces, etc. When they have to deal with that their profit and desire to do business with you go away. They are usually willing to cut 20' or 24' lengths in half so they can be transported safely.

One thing I have learned after years of doing otherwise. It's usually better to buy new material than salvage materials. By the time you get the rust and dirt off salvage material and scrap the bent part, etc. new material is a better deal. I'll buy salvage pipe but not much else.

Hope this helps.

Keith

[soarkrebel]

I buy mine from a store that is like a lumber yard but a steel dealer. they have about anything you would want and i just go in and shop for what i want. i write it down take it to the office and they load me up. ### sometimes when i buy alot i have a friend at a machine shop orders it for me . saves me a little. but i like shopping for it.

[sven]

McMaster Carr does have a large selection, but their prices aren't much better than buyng at a hardware store.

Another possibility would be to try a local metal fab shop or welding shop. ###Sometimes they will let you buy stuff out of their stock or order your stuff with their stock order.

[gizz]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I've found a local machine shop that'll receive my stock from their supplier along with very good pricing. It'll work out good and maybe i'll buy the shop lunch for helping me out.