I beam pricing

[newbury]

I'm interested in building a gantry crane on the cheap.
I've been seeing I beams pop up on CL for years.
For example today:

Steel "I" Beams. Several Sizes
10" tall X 6 " wide X 22 ft to 26 ft long
16 " X 8 " X 22
30 beams available
$250 each

Is there a good online site to use for comparing prices?

 

[fatboycowen]

You'd need to know the steel properties and better beam size properties. Steel is usually priced by the pound (roughly).

If these are modern beams (by the sizes mentioned, it looks like it), they are probably wide flange. The 10" one might be a W10x22, W10x26 or W10x30 for example. The 2nd number is the weight of the beam in pounds per foot. From that, you could get some prices.

Best bet is to call a steel fabricator that does steel buildings. They can give you a price quickly to compare to, but you'd need to know more info on the used stuff to get a real direct comparison.

 

[newbury]

You'd need to know the steel properties and better beam size properties. Steel is usually priced by the pound (roughly).

If these are modern beams (by the sizes mentioned, it looks like it), they are probably wide flange. The 10" one might be a W10x22, W10x26 or W10x30 for example. The 2nd number is the weight of the beam in pounds per foot. From that, you could get some prices.

Best bet is to call a steel fabricator that does steel buildings. They can give you a price quickly to compare to, but you'd need to know more info on the used stuff to get a real direct comparison.

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.
For example I found a website Metals Depot® Shopping Cart that gives online pricing and a W10x22 x 25' is $495.

But is that a good website?

 

[Mendonsy]

Metals Depot seems to be OK for general pricing on most things.
Don't forget that you could end up paying more for the shipping than the material if you purchased from an online supplier. It is almost always better to go to a local supplier.

 

[fatboycowen]

I've used Metals Depot for pricing on some personal project. Never real structural steel though, except for some channels for my trailer. In the case of the channels, Metals depot was much higher than i spent. I went through a friend that works for a sheet metal shop, who orders steel frequently. No shipping, and paying what the shop would pay. It was considerably less, not considering shipping. If i recall correctly, i paid about half what the shipped cost would be from metals depot.

If you are buying one beam, i don't think you are saving much to buy used. It might not be worth the hassle, depending on what the condition is. If you know what beam you want, where you want holes, etc. a small fab shop can do it, and would probably welcome the business. They'd cut to length, add holes, plates, etc. I bet they would even deliver it to you. It's what they do.

I totally get what you are saying about the phone call.

 

[LD1]

You really gotta get more info on the beams. You HAVE to know exactly what the beam is for both accurate pricing, AND load capabilities.

their are two main types of I-beams. S-type (structural) that have tapered flanges like c-channel, and W-type (wide flange) and some refer to as H-beams. The flanges will be the same thickness.

The 10" x 6" beam listed could be a 22, 26, or 30 pound per foot W-type. Would be wrote as W10x22, W10x26, or W10x30. Wont be an S-type as those are only 5" wide.

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.

That metals depot price is about double what I would pay from any of my local suppliers. (alro steel or benjamin steel). Where prices are ~50 cents per pound.

Those Clist ads , the 10" beam at 22', depending on what weight (22,26,30) would weigh 484,572, or 660 pounds. Would cost me $242, $286, or $330 new from a supplier. So at $250 not really a deal there.

The 16" beams could be anywhere from 36-57#, or 792-1254# for a 22' stick. Or ~$400-$625. Little better deal there if they are indeed 7" wide beams and not something that was fabricated (which I see is pretty common in columns in buildings, but not so much for horizontal spans).

In my searching, there is NOWHERE online that is accurate for comparing prices to local suppliers. Everywhere online is close to 2x's what you would pay picking it up locally.

How far you looking to span? and how much capacity?

About the phonecall, dont rule out not ordering from them. Fact is, you have no idea what their prices are, and until you call, the BEST you can do is make an uninformed decision, which doesnt do you or a supplier any favors.

 

[Mysfyt]

You really gotta get more info on the beams. You HAVE to know exactly what the beam is for both accurate pricing, AND load capabilities.

their are two main types of I-beams. S-type (structural) that have tapered flanges like c-channel, and W-type (wide flange) and some refer to as H-beams. The flanges will be the same thickness.

The 10" x 6" beam listed could be a 22, 26, or 30 pound per foot W-type. Would be wrote as W10x22, W10x26, or W10x30. Wont be an S-type as those are only 5" wide.

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.

That metals depot price is about double what I would pay from any of my local suppliers. (alro steel or benjamin steel). Where prices are ~50 cents per pound.

Those Clist ads , the 10" beam at 22', depending on what weight (22,26,30) would weigh 484,572, or 660 pounds. Would cost me $242, $286, or $330 new from a supplier. So at $250 not really a deal there.

The 16" beams could be anywhere from 36-57#, or 792-1254# for a 22' stick. Or ~$400-$625. Little better deal there if they are indeed 7" wide beams and not something that was fabricated (which I see is pretty common in columns in buildings, but not so much for horizontal spans).

In my searching, there is NOWHERE online that is accurate for comparing prices to local suppliers. Everywhere online is close to 2x's what you would pay picking it up locally.

How far you looking to span? and how much capacity?

About the phonecall, dont rule out not ordering from them. Fact is, you have no idea what their prices are, and until you call, the BEST you can do is make an uninformed decision, which doesnt do you or a supplier any favors.

+1 on this. Local is going to be your best bet. Good luck!

 

[Travelover]

My local metal recycler resells at a markup, but steel is selling for pennies a pound right now. What is available varies constantly, but I've seen some sweet I beams there from time to time. Worth a look if you are patient.

 

[newbury]

You really gotta get more info on the beams. <snip, doesn't need repeating>
How far you looking to span? and how much capacity?<snip>

LD1 - I have followed the thread you have on your gantry crane. Very informative. I'm looking to span about 15 feet for the first project.

But I've plenty of places I could use a 25' I beam for a bridge or other structure.

Frequently on Craigs List I find bargains.

Seven sections of Pallet racking for $70, two shown here:

A 120CC 088 Stihl, w. bar, chain, and an Alaskan Mark III Chainsaw mill WITH cases for $450.

.

An almost new 5' KK tiller for $800.

And usually it's call someone up, say I'll buy it and drive over. Not a lot of time to do research on the web.

Recently I've seen more "I beams" coming up on CL, I suspect because scrap metal prices are dropping.

So I was just looking for some good reference web sites to check prices on.

 

[rswyan]

Like LD1 said, don't discount your local steel supplier ... also don't discount local fabrication shops ... particularly now that scrap is paying so little.

Story with my supplier is that I get decent pricing if I buy full-length sticks - which are around 20' to 24', depending on the type (angle, pipe, etc.) ... but if it's less than full-length, I expect to pay through the nose. They will toss 1 cut per full-length piece in for free, to facilitate me hauling it in my van. Pricing is also better if I order more rather than less.

Example:

I needed a short section (7') of W8 (x 6 1/2") I-Beam for my splitter build, so I had my steel supplier price a 7' piece of W8 x 6 1/2 x 24#, along with an order I was submitting.

They came back with a price of $220 IIRC. Ain't no way.

Went over to a structural steel fab shop where a friend used to work and told them what I needed, said go take a look out back in the drop pile and see if there's anything that will work.

Found a piece of W8 x 28 just a little under 8' long.

Around $50 IIRC ...

And there were plenty of pieces much longer than that ...

 

[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.