where do you get metal?

I make trips to a local scrap yard. Can't believe all the useful things I've picked up from there. Last year I scored about 80lbs of brass 2" rods, 3/4" rods and some 4" disks as well as other flat pieces. 410 stainless rods 2" x 7", stainless disks 4" x 1", 304 1/2" x 36" rods. bunch of carbon steel rods, tubing, plate pieces. threaded rods, aluminum solids. I even found 6 AWG copper wires to bury for my 60 amp feeder for the garage to set up for welding. Deep discounts to buy. Not all scrap yards let people buy. Ask around.

The only things that I look for from the service centers are drill rods as it's almost impossible to figure out exactly what you're getting at scrap yards unless they are marked or with documentation.

The scrap yards that are close to machine shops produce a lot of cut offs that are useful to hobbyists. I don't need 8 ft anything. The 36 inch or less are perfect for my needs.
 
Around here I am quite successful with the local metal / recycle guy. He stocks all sorts of steel. I do clock work and normally go there to get brass and aluminum. He will let me search thru the recycled bins and pick out bits and pieces that he sells to me as scrap rather than new.
 
I buy my metals local at a Fastenal store here in town, I'm sure they are located in Houston, they probably have several locations in Houston. Most of there supply is 1/4" to 3" round stock different grades of steel, stainless, and brass, some tubing, It comes in about 6 or 8 ' lengths, but they cut what ever length I want, and the price per ft. is as good as online sites and you get to pick it up then and not have to wait for it to ship.

just my 2 cents

Rick
 
Another place that carries a small amount of material is Tractor Supply (TSI). I know they are all over down here in my parts. They generally have CRS bar (1018) and aluminum bar (6061) up to 1" dia. And a number of smaller structural shapes and flat bar too. Not too badly priced neither.
 
For folk in Central PA I have found a scrap yard in Columbia, PA called Frank Sahd Salvage Center. They have a massive amount of pretty much anything. It is where we get our aluminum stock. The aluminum is long pieces 8 to 20 foot. They have all kinds of steel, copper, aluminum, brass and all kinds of odds and ends to numerous to mention. I love going there because you can walk around forever. One thing they do have is my wedding ring. Yep, I lost my wedding ring there and it is impossible to ever find it. If we are getting stock in bulk we get it from Pennsylvania Steel in Emigsville, PA. If you buy 300 pounds they give you a extremely good rate. This can be mixed and match to whatever pieces you want as long as it adds up to 300 pounds.
I would give you actual prices we pay but that is my son's department and I trust him on the prices because he is tight with his money. :))

Have a great day!

Ed
 
You might want to try your local scrap yards there is alot good material in there for a little to nothing.
 
I'm with wolframore on this one too. Scrap yard is a great place to go. Picked up a piece of 1.5" solid brass drive shaft 6ft long or so, for cheap. For other types of metal it can be hit and miss. Bring a magnet, just for kicks.
 
I used the local scrap yard. Last time I paid 60 dollars for aluminum and brass. I checked the online places and found I had about 300 dollars of metal if buying new.
 
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