weight calculator

[deere_x475guy]

Has anyone come across a weight calculator for mild steel. I am thinking something that you could use to figure the weight of angle, square, and flat stock.

Thanks

[Dave Haak]

Per foot weights

deere_X475guy

Yes.

I have what you are looking for. If you do your homework ahead of purchase you know when you're being overcharged before it happens!

There are tables for all of the common shapes, sizes and thicknesses. I'm not sure what the best way to transmit what I have, to you, would be. I'm going to guess that you can find tables on the net. Check with steel suppliers. Try looking for American Institute of Steel Construction.

Let me know if you don't find what you are looking for and we'll get some info to you somehow.

Dave

[Main]

Great little book. Well worth the price of $7.95. Get two, keep one in the shop and one in your truck.

http://server1.wttool.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=WT&Category_Code=67020095p

[Slagman]

Check with your metal supplier. I got a free booklet of all the metal they carry and can get. Lists weight per foot for different dimmensions, thickness, type.....etc. It was free! I would bet there are plenty of online stores that have weight as well. If memory serves correctly, try matweb.com

Slagman

[Bob]

Here is one such on line supplier w/ tables on line as well as a free reference.

http://www.metalsdepot.com/request.html

I have not personally purchased from them yet because cross country shipping is more than the metal cost. But good reference.

Bob

[deere_x475guy]

Thanks

Hey guys...thanks for all your advice. I knew I could get steered in the right direction here.

I am not so worried about being over charged as much as I am trying to get familiar with what the total weight of my projects will be (just more knowledge).

I think I have located a source for scrap. They want 38 to 45 cents a pound. This is a metal fab shop. Are these reasonable price? They are local so there is no shipping.

Bob

[Arbo]

I don't know what things are like in MI. But, here in PA I just figured out that I paid 40 cents a pound for full stick price on 1.5x1.5 square tube, 11 ga wall. The shop I get it from will cut it to 12 foot lengths so that I can haul it in my pickup. They do the cutting free! In my area we have several machine shops that are family owned and operated. These places are more than happy to sell steel to the home hobbiest.

As far as those weight charts, check out a place called King Architectural Metals. Call this number, and ask for one of their catalogs. It has a listing of many different types of steel, and weight per stick. Form there, you can easily figure weight per foot. They also have an online catalog, but I don't think that it gives the weight there. Good Luck!

(214)388-9834

https://www.kingmetals.com

[deere_x475guy]

calculator

hey guys...check this one out

http://www.onlinemetals.com/calculator.cfm

[BillC]

You can also do your own quick calculations. Steel weighs around .28 lbs per cubic inch.

As an example, a piece of 3x2x1/4 angle weighs 4.1 lbs per ft acording to ALRO.

By calculation, the cross section of the angle is the sum of the legs multiplied by the thickness:

(3 + 2) x 1/4 = 1.25 sq in

The volume of 1 ft is 1.25 sq in x 12 in = 15 cu in

The weight of 1 ft is 15 cu in x .28 lb/cu in = 4.2 lbs per ft

Close enough for government work???

[Mike Sherman]

If you remember that 1/4" plate weighs in at about 10lbs per square foot, you can easily calculate most pieces of steel. The prices you are being quoted for scrap steel are more than I pay for new. But location and volume will make a huge difference in what you pay. I have purchased just about $200,000 worth of steel this year, so I wouldn't be surprised if I get a better price. Arbo, what part of Pa. are you in? I have my shop just West of Erie Pa.

[Main]

They want 38 to 45 cents a pound.
Mighty proud of their scrap don`t you think. Check the prices in your area for new material.

[Slagman]

The last time I bought scrap, (few weeks back), it cost me 20 cents per pound for sections under 3 feet. Other than that it is cheaper to buy uncut, brand-new material.

Slagman

[Arbo]

Mike,

I'm in Snyder County, about right in the middle.