New to buying steel -what to ask for at supplier

[moored4]

That's ideal. Do they like free donuts?

There are 3 men that work the material sale shop of the fabrication shop where I get my metal. So every so often I'll go by and tell them that "I will see them on Friday" So at lunch time I take them burritos and cokes! While they eat, I go walk the drop areas around the shop just looking. Then if a project comes up I have an ideal what is available as drops! I am always dressed in my steel toes, gloves, and safety glasses. I have never been charged a cut fee and most times little pieces are thrown in the truck that become gusset material or something!

 

[woodlandfarms]

That's ideal. Do they like free donuts?

Beer. And thankfully the cheap stuff.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I've done a couple of welding projects, but have worked from plans with a material list. I have just gone in with my list to the only supplier in town and ended up with what I needed. This time, I'm doing my own design (a snow plow sub-frame) so I have to do my own list. I know I'm going to need some flat plate so do I just ask for thickness, width and length or are there standard widths? What are some of the standard terms I should be using - when is a piece a plate and not a bar? So if I need a couple of feet of 3/8" x 4"W steel, what do I ask for? Just trying not to look too stupid...

Im pretty sure you aee goiung to want a low to mid carbon steel. Carbon gives strength and hardenability at the cost of welding convenience. Thats why you want to stay on the low side of the mid carbon range. Simple carbon steels are the 10xx series. Id stay below 1035 [.35% C]. Above will often self quench enuf as you weld to cause hardening and brittleness at the joint. Hence pre heats start to be more needed.
larry

 

[2458n]

Roy is 100 percent right. You aren't going to beat someone at their own game. Respect them for their knowledge and reap the rewards. Scrap yards take in some great stuff and are well worth the time. If you can find something close to what you want copy it. My boss at one job always said we had the money for "new" metal, but did not understand that that I enjoyed screwing around at the scrap yards as much as saving the money.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

... My boss at one job always said we had the money for "new" metal, but did not understand that that I enjoyed screwing around at the scrap yards as much as saving the money.

There are two kinds of people in this world - those that understand that statement and those that don't.:thumbsup:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Roy is 100 percent right. You aren't going to beat someone at their own game. Respect them for their knowledge and reap the rewards. Scrap yards take in some great stuff and are well worth the time. If you can find something close to what you want copy it. My boss at one job always said we had the money for "new" metal, but did not understand that that I enjoyed screwing around at the scrap yards as much as saving the money.

There are two kinds of people in this world - those that understand that statement and those that don't.:thumbsup:

I've mentioned this before; but scrap yards, auctions, and army surplus stores are all in the same category for me... I seldom find what I want, but I usually want what I find.

 

[jake98]

I took a look in the 'drops dept.' today and got 10 pc. of 1"x1/8" square tube and 4 pc. 1" angle, all 10 footers, for $140. They said everything there was .70/lb.

 

[some zilch]

our local steel supplier has a huge room of "shorts and drops"--probably 100ft by 80ft--all for $.55/lb. i havent bought full sticks of anything in years...........

 

[moored4]

our local steel supplier has a huge room of "shorts and drops"--probably 100ft by 80ft--all for $.55/lb. i havent bought full sticks of anything in years...........

So Where is this pot of gold? If you dont mind telling us! :drool:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

So Where is this pot of gold? If you dont mind telling us! :drool:

No kidding. That would be a great place to shop for steel.