where do you get metal?

When we go to the local scrap yard for aluminum he charges us $2 a pound. When we go to the local supplier Pennsylvania Steel we need to buy a minimum of 100 pounds at $2.45 a pound.
We always check the scrap yard first of course but if my son has orders we just go get new at the dealer.
Funny thing is that is what I got for Christmas. He gave me a bunch of 12 foot pieces of aluminum that he need to get to a 300 pound level where the price dropped a little more.
I should be setting pretty for a while in hobbying metal but he never lets me hobby so it isn't getting used.:rolleyes:
Ed
 
Out I-10 is Rose steel,which has a salvage type yard that they sell by the lb.Its not a specialty supplier but just plain old steel and aluminum,nothing fancy or exotic---kroll
 
SE18 said:
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
Click to expand...

That is funny. We have a BMG metals close by in Chesapeake Va and they act the same way. It is almost like you are ordering from the "Soup Nazi" on that show Seinfeld. No metal for you!
 
There is a company called Metal Supermarket here in the Minneapolis Minnesota area and the don't seem to have any second thoughts about supplying the small amounts that I buy. I do not know if they are national or strictly a Minnesota operation.

frankie
 
Speaking of scrap yards... I visit mine regularly, I found some heavy reddish metal and when I asked they called it tungsten copper. 70W, 30Cu. It was $2.40/lb so I bought 1/2 lb or 3/4" wide bars about 4 inches long... Not sure what you would do with it. Anyone have experience with it?

What do you do with it?
 
If this is for hobby use, not much quantity, here's what works for me. For machining stock I have 2 small local machine shops that I use. Go in, introduce yourself, and explain what you're making. Make sure they know it's a hobby, not competition. Ask if they have a peice of scrap or a drop. When they help you, offer to pay. Most times they will refuse. The next day return with a dozen donuts, whether you paid or not. Make a friend. Most people enjoy helping. For fabricating work, do the same with a couple of welding shops. After some time, stop by and let them know how you made out. Bring in the part you made and show them. Your keeping them involved and showing your appreciation. In the 30+ years I've been doing this, I've probably only paid for stock a handful of times, and made some great friends. Good luck.

Steve t
 
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