Cost of steel

[Rusty4242]

I've been poking round in scrap yards for steel for my splitter. What can I expect to pay for new steel from a dealer, square tubing, heavy angle iron , plate, etc.
A buck a lb. ? Larry

[ray66v]

I was paying .75/ lb. for "drops" last year.
I think a buck/ lb. would be as good as it gets now.

[Rusty4242]

Are "drops" odd sizes, scrap?

[Kernopelli]

I really doubt you will even begin to touch anything from a new metal supplier (not talking scrap dealer) for $1.00/LB. I get my metal from the local scrap yard exclusively. It has always surprised me how much new material is available there. Up until a year ago he charged me 25 cents a pound across the board- it could be a piece of crappy rusted cast iron, a new sheet of 3/8", angle, tube, channel or whatever, it was a flat 25 cents/LB. Now he seems a lot more particular, he might charge me 50 cents/LB for somethings or it may be priced by the sq. ft or linear feet. I occasionally look at new metal from suppliers but am always shocked by the price...for instance I just priced some 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 3/16 x 48" tubing for $29.00 from a supplier. The scrap yard might charge me $6.00- $8.00 for a similar piece. If you have a scrap yard locally, I would check to see what they have first and go to a metal supplier as a last resort.

[Rusty4242]

Thanks, boys. Larry

[TDVT]

In the Solar thread in "Projects" the OP said his full lengths of 6" dia schedule 40 pipe to be used as collector mounts were nearly $600 ea. OUCH!

[ray66v]

"Drops" are the steel, (all different sizes), that hits the floor after they, (the fabricator/supplier), cut off the piece they need. Its all brand new steel. But, its limited to what is on hand. If a shop is busy enough, you can sometimes get a pretty good selection. I get either what I need, or something I can use, about 90% of the time.

When it was .50/lb. I used to go once a month, and buy 80-100 lbs. so, I have a pretty good selection of angles, tube, and plate, on hand.

Its nice when you have a piece that is just right for the job, without even cutting it.

[Berniep]

I buy mostly drops from my local fab shop. The give me a good deal.
I paid by the pound from a guide book that lists weight per foot of material.
For drops I figure I usually get charged about half, ie I pay for 1 foot when the piece is really 2 feet.
I think he mentioned something like 1.27 a pound but I could be wrong there.

[3RRL]

I always scrounge through the remnant section and get HRS or CRS for at least half of what they sell new. Last Winter HRS rems were $55lb. CRS is slightly more. I buy entire lengths and cut them myself, or they will charge 5 bucks a cut. Most of my projects are dictated by what I can get. Then I design around that to make ends meet....usually that means a little more thinking and labor on my part, but that is free.

[ray66v]

Originally Posted by 3RRL

I always scrounge through the remnant section and get HRS or CRS for at least half of what they sell new. Last Winter HRS rems were $55lb. CRS is slightly more. I buy entire lengths and cut them myself, or they will charge 5 bucks a cut. Most of my projects are dictated by what I can get. Then I design around that to make ends meet....usually that means a little more thinking and labor on my part, but that is free.

I hope you mean .55 and not $55 /lb.