Steel prices ...again!

[CalG]

I paged through this subforum some time ago and was impressed over the number of "Steel Prices" topics that appeared through the years.

Well, It's come again.

The neighbor wants me to build him a carry all frame for his 6100 Kabota.
Last summer I bought myself the TSC "CountyLine" offering, and decked in 1X6 cedar. It has come in very handy on back of the B7200.

Well, It takes 20 feet of 3/8" - 3" X3". Angle. That length comes in around 125#. (Finished Commercial unit comes in at 90 # of steel) Local price for new steel is $1.75 /lb. Add sales tax, a pair of Cat 1 pins, a pound of 6013 filler rod, and a rattle can each of primer and paint.

The <$250 asking price from TSC is a no brainer. All I can do for him is encourage him to make the purchase before they are sold out.

 

[Accountingjoe]

Totally agree, I would beef up the welds if he gets one from TSC though.

 

[Rustyiron]

This has been my experience also-8 or more years ago.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

Unless, you need something truly custom, the chiwanese can make something serviceable for less than you can get the materials. Current prices for lumber and plywood, prevented me from building a tractor shed this summer. I’ll have to do one next summer unless prices are even more insane then.

 

[Gordon Gould]

TSC frame is a good deal. I had to beef up around the pins on mine though. It is fine for flat smooth going but on a rough spot with a heavy load and some bounce that area needs some help to keep the angle from buckling some if you have it freighted right up.

gg

 

[D2Cat]

Do you guys every take a look at FB marketplace, or CL to find something someone no longer needs or is moving and doesn't want to move? I see carry-alls, sup-soilers, plows, etc frequently and at bargain prices.

 

[metalbender]

Surprising how much good, serviceable metal can be had from old farm equipment. Stuff can be bought fairly cheap and as long as you can bring it home it's golden.

 

[CalG]

Just a random comment about the Countyline brand

"county line implements are made in liberty ky by tarter sold through tsc" .

The unit I have has a box section cross beam for the top link connection. No extra welding is needed there! (But I can tear up just about anything.

Plus, when fitted to the B7200, either the hydraulics won't lift, or the front end comes up in the air when the load is too heavy ;-)

It would be a different story on the Fordson.

 

[Ken45101]

3/8 angle iron on the TSC unit? I haven't looked at their stuff recently because it never held up for me. I constantly got frequent flyer points at my local weld shop (I now do my own welding.) I have an old carryall and the only places it has 3/8" is where I've welded in a second piece as reinforcement. YMMV.

Ken

 

[CalG]

3/8 angle iron on the TSC unit? I haven't looked at their stuff recently because it never held up for me. I constantly got frequent flyer points at my local weld shop (I now do my own welding.) I have an old carryall and the only places it has 3/8" is where I've welded in a second piece as reinforcement. YMMV.

Ken

Not to misconstrue. 3/8ths stock is what I WOULD BUILD IT FROM! I didn't measure the Countyline product. It seems good, but I don't carry bricks, just stones soil and wood ;-)

 

[PILOON]

Luck is on my side.
My area is largely cottage country but gradually switching over to retirement homes.
As a result folks are constantly discarding old bed frames and I always have a handful of tools in my car.
Ergo, I have a nice health stock of angle iron stock. Probably 15-20 at posting.
Heck, last fall I collected some 20 HD lengths of 1 x 2 aluminum channel that I could have sold for about $100, but I'll use it one day for sure.
LOL, worst usage would be 'non rot' fence posts.
OH, but I must keep out of site from my 'better half'.

But on the plus side, all my power tools now have nice metal bases rather than store bought,
YEP, I subscribe to the re cycle and re purpose theory.
Plus it is fun.

 

[Ken45101]

Not to misconstrue. 3/8ths stock is what I WOULD BUILD IT FROM! I didn't measure the Countyline product. It seems good, but I don't carry bricks, just stones soil and wood ;-)

Ah! Good clarification, LOL.

When I started, they didn't rate their attachments. Later they put a 30hp max (IIRC) on the attachments, which explains why they didn't last on my 45 hp tractor ;-) Their attachments may be perfectly fine for smaller tractors.

 

[davedj1]

I feel your pain!
Local steel supplier today

LINE QTY ITEM ID/NAME --- WIDTH ---- --- LENGTH --- WEIGHT PRICE TOTAL

1 1.00 PCS TS42316 24' 166.000 LBS 350.00/PC 350.00 4 X 2 TUB. 3/16 WALL

2 1.00 PCS TS32316 24' 138.000 LBS 285.00/PC 285.00 3 X 2 TUB. 3/16 WALL

3 1.00 PCS BPE140 21' 36.000 LBS 115.00/PC 115.00 1 BPE PIPE (40)

4 1.00 PCS HRF142 20' 35.000 LBS 45.00/PC 45.00 1/4 X 2 HR FLAT

5 1.00 PCS HRF382 20' 51.000 LBS 55.00/PC 55.00 3/8 X 2 HR FLAT

PHONE #: 802.681.3733 FAX #:

[END ORDER]
TAX ID: TOTAL: 426.00 LBS SUBTOTAL 850.00 TERMS: C.O.D. SARATOGA 59.50 TOTAL 909.50

 

[Renze]

I was repairing my Chinese engine hoist yesterday, and made it conifer hedge proof (i bent it lifting the conifer hedge in my BILs backyard, as it has more lifting capacity than a mini excavator able to get through a 3 foot fencewall gate: Despite the damage, i got all 4" conifer stumps out

I bought it 15 years ago for 115 euro. The replacement tube 70x70x3mm (2 3/4" by 1/8") cost me 17.48 euro per meter, ex 21% VAT making it 21.15 per meter. Which means the steel is worth more than i bought the entire hoist for.

I stuffed it with 60x60 (2.5") tubing with a 1/8 sheet to beef it up a bit and pushed it square on the shop press.

 

[Vigo327]

Nice repair. Hopefully I will remember to reinforce mine BEFORE i do the same thing as you did to the stock pieces!