I beam pricing

[LD1]

15' span aint too bad, and wont take much beam to lift quite a bit.

As far as good references, I am afraid there are none, at least that I have found.

I know you dont like to call someone if you aint ordering from them, but I would make an exception. My local suppliers, for just about anytype of steel, mill length is right at 50 cents a pound. Sure, if you want 8' of I-beam you are gonna pay a premium. But common sizes and lengths, 50 cents is a good mark.

For c-list steel, I try to be at half that or less. Just depends on how bad it is. IE: painted and crap welded on it with holes in it? Still have mill scale or only light surface rust? Rusted and pitted real bad? etc.

 

[bcp]

Here is a price flyer from a place in Portland, OR for comparison. Beams are in there somewhere.

www.thesteelyard.com/assets/flyer.pdf

Bruce

 

[fatboycowen]

the 16" x 8" beam is not made. First, there is no 16" S-types. And in the W-types , they go from 7" wide to 10" wide. So I am guessing its a measurment error, or its a fabricated beam out of 3-plates welded together. Then all bets are off for structural use. If it is the 16" x 7", It could be either a 36,40,45,50,57 lb per foot beam.

Not necessarily true. These beams could be very old. Late 1800s, to early 1900s, beam sizes were not standardized as they are today. Mills sort of had their own beam sizes. Books are available with the info. Also unknown is the grade of steel. If it's real old, it could be iron.

If someone is dismantling an old building, this could be the case.

For example, Bethlehem Steel Company made a B16a, which was 16" x 8.5". Weights for those were 58, 64, 71 and 78.

 

[KennyG]

Scrap dealers should certainly be contacted. In the past, our local scrap dealers weren't interested in selling to individuals. With the low scrap prices, they are now advertising.

 

[grayw0lf1]

Around here, small orders for non-wholesale customers runs about $0.66/lb.

 

[jwmorris]

Thanks, but I'm not looking to buy quantity and it's against my principles to "call" someone and use up their time when I know I'm NOT going to buy from them.

I was always taught to not waist money if I am making a large purchase I contact everyone I can that sells the product n order to get the best deals. Any number of business have the chance at getting my business, it's my job to find the one that does get it.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Newbury what size break you need? I have a friend that runs a local salvage yard. I can get it for 25 cents a pound.

 

[LD1]

Newbury what size break you need? I have a friend that runs a local salvage yard. I can get it for 25 cents a pound.

Hes making about 4-5 times more money selling to you than scrapping it like normal then.

25 cents a pound isnt a terrible deal if you can find something you need. But with scrap so low, selling you something for 25 cents a pound and in turn buy scrap from you at 2.5-3 cents a pound.....I would hope if I had a "friend" that owned a yard he'd do me a little better.

 

[aczlan]

Hes making about 4-5 times more money selling to you than scrapping it like normal then.

25 cents a pound isnt a terrible deal if you can find something you need. But with scrap so low, selling you something for 25 cents a pound and in turn buy scrap from you at 2.5-3 cents a pound.....I would hope if I had a "friend" that owned a yard he'd do me a little better.

I agree. My local yard sells me scrap for $0.10/lb (and I am just someone who occasionally brings in a trailer load of scrap).

Aaron Z

 

[jenkinsph]

Scrap is cheap right now and I would suggest anyone with some implement building ideas should buy now. I walk through a friends scrap yard when in the city looking for pieces that will work for my projects. Doesn't take long to find all or 90% of the metal I need. Last trip I picked up about 1500 lbs. for $30. He uses the scrap money for Friday afternoon employee BBQ and beer.