where do you get metal?

strantor

strantor

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Flat stock, round stock, plate, billet, etc. Where do you get it? More specifically, if anybody knows where in HOUSTON to get it, that would be helpful. I would like to pick it up locally if possible vise ordering from McMaster or other website to avoid the shipping. But if there's a cheaper website I'm all ears.
 
From Enco there is usually free shipping coupon codes. You can't get every type of shape size and type of metal but they have a decent selection. Also online metals and other suppliers like that often have a percentage off coupon which usually will wipe out the shipping cost. I get a lot of my stuff locally but it's hard to come by a small order steel supplier around here. At least I haven't found one yet.
 
Yes, Enco is good for some things. Brass rod is on sale now cheaper than I can get it locally. I always us the free shipping.

I have a place that allows me to order by the inch. There is a $4 per cut charge.

Try calling a local machine shop and ask them where they get their material from locally. They will know the best places in your area.


Gary
 
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You might want to see if there is a Metals Supermarket outlet in your area. Here in Albuquerque the SM outlet was a bit small, but they had a decent selection of drops for steel and aluminum in rod, plate, and bar.

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Halligan142 said:
... I get a lot of my stuff locally but it's hard to come by a small order steel supplier around here. At least I haven't found one yet.
Click to expand...

I've bought a couple of times from Haverhill Steel (nearer to you, than to me) and found them to be hobbyist-friendly (which means willing to cut pieces for a random guy who pulled up in a station wagon).

Doing a price comparison is difficult, though. The weight of what you want is the straightforward part. But the price per pound seems to be constantly changing, and the cut fees sneak in there when you're not looking. I'd like to hear some hints on how to get an apples-to-apples price comparison from suppliers.
 
In Houston, there is a practically endless list of metal goods suppliers. Anything you want. The problem, as I see it, is finding one that deals on a small enough scale to be hobbyist friendly. I wish I knew some to recommend. I buy from quite a few there, but as a commercial shop, not as a hobbyist. I suppose you could just get on the phone and just plain ask them. You could spend an entire afternoon and not get to every supplier in the area, but surely there are some that would accommodate you.
 
When you guys are talking about a place being hobbyist friendly, are you referring just to filling small orders or are you talking about dealing business to business? I ask because I own a small business, and can pay with a commercial account. If that's their only requirement then I can meet it. But if they expect me to order in bulk then we still have a problem.
 
Some places require an open account, and with a good D&B number, and a couple of references, that can be done. Some don't care, and are set up for a "will call" pick up by a cash/check customer. If you have a tax number for resale, then you should furnish it if the metal is going into manufactured goods. For shop projects, tooling, workbenches and the like, the law is a little vague and some of that can be tax exempt under "use". If in doubt, pay the sales tax or consult your CPA.

I don't think there is a single source supplier for everything a machine shop normally buys. If you need stainless, go to a stainless specialty house, carbon/alloy, go to those guys. Brass/bronze/copper, etc, go to them. There are a couple of the larger companies who sort of bridge the gaps, but you generally are better off with stock availability and price going to the people who specialize.
 
I got most of my stuff from speedymetals.com, some eBay, and I get Aluminum/brass locally from AdmiralMetals
 
I use BMG in Manassas, Virginia, Houston should have a few hundred places. Here at BMG they have a scrap bin where you can get odds and ends. They label most but the labels fell off some. I bring with me machinery's handbook, a ruler and a file to test the metal and look it up. I also bring a red flag with me. They require that it be attached to long metal and securely with cable in my pickup truck--you definitely need a good sized pickup truck or you won't be getting much long pieces.

They charge $15 to cut metal if you don't have a pickup truck and they won't let you cut it on premises

Also, they like to deal in cash, maybe below the till, I'm not sure.

Also, they don't have time to talk or answer questions so you gotta pretty much have your sh*t together when you get there (ruler, handbook and so on).

They let you roam the large shed, even as overhead gantry cranes are moving thousands of pounds of steel around, and they don't require a hard hat. This being the South, in Dixie. Whatever


Dave
 
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