Newbee to metal fabrication with scrap Q's

[wdchyd]

I guess it's just me, but if I'm gonna take the time and patience to fabricate something worthwhile then I always use new steel.......

Maybe a few odds and ends would be OK to be used but the structure will be new and exactly the size/dimensions to do a good job......

It's always nice to save money but wasting time to "fudge something" is not what I like to do.......

Did the OP'r say whether or not he has tools to cut/machine ect.....It takes more than just welding to make something work......

I guess I'm just spoiled cuz to me a lathe/milling machine is needed as a minimum for pins/pivots/bushing fabrication......

 

[E/S]

OK I will bite what is BYI?

Isn't that a collage in Utah ?

E/S

 

[Soundguy]

was he maybe asking about DIY??

Do IT Yourself..

soundguy

 

[mf2640man]

i dought wether you will finde what ur looking for in a scrap yard its not like scrap heap chalange on telly from what i have found iv never seen box tubeing like they find (wish i could) but a good sorce is ebay and such like just make sure u get a thick enough wall on the steel and do not by from "metals for you" i found they were verry over priced when i looked into it for gcse project

 

[Chain Bender]

. And new steel is usually .50-.60 per lb.QUOTE]

XXXXXXXXX

Dang, I paid $6.25/foot for some 2X2X1/4 stock 3 weeks ago. It only weighs 5.4#/foot. I might need to look for a cheaper place.

CB

 

[LD1]

. And new steel is usually .50-.60 per lb.QUOTE]

XXXXXXXXX

Dang, I paid $6.25/foot for some 2X2X1/4 stock 3 weeks ago. It only weighs 5.4#/foot. I might need to look for a cheaper place.

CB

Yep, that seems a little high to me.

But it also depends on what you are buying as well. Steel that is more difficult to form is a little more per lb. For example, I-beam is going to cost more than flat plate.

And size is also important when ordering. It helps to know what the common sizes are that the steel comes in. For example, sheets usually come in 4'x10' sizes. So if you want a 3'x8' peice, odd are they are going to charge you for the full sheet, PLUS a cut fee. So you will end up paying WAY more per lb than just buying the full sheet.

The last time we had to buy metal was about a year ago. Making a lawn roller. We would have just bought the full 4'x10' sheet of 11ga (1/8"), BUT the sheetmetal place can only roll 3' widths. So we had the metal supplier shear it into two 2'x10' peices. Total for ~200lbs of steel WITH the cut fee was between $90 and $100.

In the case of your 2x2x1/4 tube, what sizes did you get? Because if you were ordering special sizes like 12' or 15', and they get them in 20' lengths, you were probabally charged for the FULL length Plus the cut fee. Or was it 6.25 per ft regardless???

Edit, location also makes a difference, so where are you located??

And it also doesnt hurt to shop around. When I was pricing 2 30' W10x19 I beams a few years ago, (1140lbs total) my quotes ranged from a tad over $800 to over $1200. That is a range of .70/lb to 1.05/lb.

 

[chad22]

If you have the money I would go for new. I bought some 3" x 3" steel square tubing on ebay. I bought the steel tubing for my backhoe from this store on ebay Shapiro Supply items - Get great deals on items on eBay Stores!

I really recommend this store.

Chad

 

[Johnp33]

Use to be plate was sold by the foot, now you can get a length of steel that forever was 20 ft now it is 22 ft, buying steel now a lot of it is in metric, and you have to check.

 

[LotsofGreenGrass]

You need to become buddys with someone in the metal fabricating business....they chuck out stuff all the time but don't let anyone near their dumpsters (liability).......they don't get much money for it so anything they get is extra.....

I have a business next door to one and every few days my guys will peek in to see what's for leftovers.......new cut offs......

Many times with the right inquiry (and a little cash) they may just cut off something for you (if you are nice/lucky)

Good idea!~

 

[LotsofGreenGrass]

I can't help but think that since you are a newbie to scrap metal, that you must also be somewhat new to welding itself. I've been welding for some time and wouldn't undertake building a loader with the experience I have. My hunch is you're biting off more than you can chew. Sorry.

This could well be : )