Steel Prices?? $/lb

[Bobby]

First off, I'm just a hobby welder. I occasionally buy some scrap from local fab shops and sometimes buy a couple full sticks of angle or sq tube.

I just bought a stick (20') of 2x2x3/16" angle
and
a stick (24') of 2x2x1/8" sq tube.

I paid about $0.63/lb Is that a decent price? I know that price would most likely come down if I bought more quantity but I usually don't need it so I just buy what I can forsee using in the not too distant future.

the nice part is they cut it for free so I could haul it home, 24' is a little longer than I can haul

Oh yeah, I'm in York, PA

[Hobart Expert Rock]

HI BOBBY...........AH THE HARLEY FACTORY IS THERE ISN'T IT..........BEEN THERE A FEW TIMES I SURE LIKE THE MUSEUM......... THE BEST STEEL PRICES I EVER FOUND WERE AT THE LOCAL SCRAP YARD................BUT YOU DO NEED TO RUMAGE AROUND........ACTUALLY THAT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A BAD PRICE........20 CENTS AT THE SCRAP YARD, BUT THEY AIN'T GOING TO CUT IT AND YOU TAKE WHAT YOU GET...........I THINK YOUIR DOING OK................................WE'LL SEE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE ON HERE WITH A LOT OF INSIGHT...........................ROCK
[email protected]

[Bobby]

it sure is where the Harley plant is. thanks for the tips. i'll have to check out the local scrap yards. I always forget about looking there first.....

[theshop]

The local scrap yard in my area quoted 20 cents per pound and a local steel dealer (new stock) wants between 30 and 35 cents. I have averaged 33 cent for flat angle and channel but the minimum order is 75.00. I found a dealer without a minimum but I have to pay 25.00 for delivery. So I buy 75.00 at a time. Both dealers though are good and willing to work with the little guy.

Oh I am in Massachusetts


Good luck and play safe
Theshop

[Royal Fe]

Went to a supplier today that sells drop for $0.10/pd. Regular stock prices range from about $0.50/pd for tubing to $0.30/pd for angle, all with a $10.00 minimum. Prices are reduced for large orders but that has a $450 minimum. I learned that a very large operators drop is what I call stock. I plan the projects or make them fit whats available in the drop rack.

[Main]

Depends on what I order. It's usually a variety of round, flat bar, channel, angle, all new steel and less than $200.00 worth. Average $0.27 to $0.29 a pound delivered.

[Bobby]

sounds like i might need to find another steel supplier for my in frequent needs. I could make $100 or so miminums if that was necessary but don't need much more than that usually.

In a primarily industrial town you'd think there would be more than 1 company that would sell steel to someone like me. so far there ain't. plenty that will see 'only' to businesses.

I should call and ask if they sell drops. that's a good idea also, thanks for that tip

[Royal Fe]

Tell them you are a business, just a one horse show, small fabrication jobs. Make up a name, pay your taxes up front(no tax number) and talk the talk

[ChadRat]

I usually go to Boyd's metals. They are right down the street from my job. It is really convinent to stop there after work and pick up some metal. They mostly do big orders but don't mind selling me stuff. Last time I went there. I called first and got a quote. Depending on the prices determined how much I was going to get. I figured out what I needed and called back. The lady I spoke to first was out to lunch so I placed an order with another guy. I went to pick up my metal and the total was almost $100 from my quote. I said hey this is not right. The lady I talked to was there and I got the prices she quoted me. I wonder how they come up with their prices. Now, before I go back to them, I will call around and make sure I get the best price. Scrap yards are usually the best but they don't always have what you need. The scrap yards here will cut stuff for me but it is with a torch.