Where is your goto place for online metal?

**BearNPum** · 08-28-2009, 12:21 PM

Or do you just get it all locally?

I have tried onlinemetals, but am not really happy with their cut charge. They charge me about a $1.20 a stick for each 8'er of 1/4" rod I buy. Wow, I see the price has dropped more than half in the last 2 years. Shouldn't have stocked up back then!

Anyway, the cut charge is now 1/3 the price of the material. I figure if they have an 8' piece listed, then I shouldn't be paying to cut it. On the other hand, I think it may still be cheaper than some other places and cheaper than my local metals dealer.

**matteh99** · 08-28-2009, 12:41 PM

For specialized stuff I get things from McMaster Carr. Their prices aren't always the best on metal but they ship quickly and if you need a specific type of metal they may have it.

Other than that I get most stuff locally. If it is just regular steel angle iron or channel I get it locally.

**junes** · 08-29-2009, 08:32 PM

the reason you have to pay a cut charge is because they dont stock 8 foot lenghts they usually have more like 20 or so foot lengths. I try to buy from my local guy most of the time its usually cheaper and i get more for the price no shipping and they take care of me more. For really small stuff i will buy online.

**BearNPum** · 09-08-2009, 04:02 PM

I guess I will just ignore the cut charge as long as they are still cheaper when all said and done with shipping.

**jbman45** · 09-08-2009, 08:28 PM

It of course depends a lot on the area but I have been lucky going to millwright shops, metal wholesale shops and others I can even find in yellow pages. One option is to find a large metal supply house and ask to see their scrap or surplus pile. Normally you have to take the pieces full as they are, i.e. uncut; but prices are great. You get some great deals on large pieces so I normally take a larger trailer when I go. I live in Houston so there are some large suppliers here, you may have to go to a near larger city to find the real wholesalers.

**ksmeggy** · 10-09-2009, 09:24 PM

I always go through the scrap piles wherever I go. Still, when you need something specific, you have to pay. I did manage to get 40 lbs of D-2 tool steel today for $110, which is a good price I think, but I couldn't be too picky about the lengths of the pieces I got.

There's a place here in town (Montreal) called the "Metal Supermarket"; they'll quote you prices on the phone for standard stock sizes and cuts, but they won't tell you what they have in the scrap piles. You have to get dirty in the back picking through them to find what you need.

**bhardy501** · 10-11-2009, 02:13 PM

I have bought a little on Ebay, but it was close enough that i could go pick it up so there was no shipping charge. I buy my new stock from a local supplier and there is a local scrap yard that sells it for around .20 - .40 per pound according to what it is. This is a good place to buy smaller stuff.

**beetle** · 01-12-2010, 05:06 PM

Hey fellow metal butchers. I'm new to this sight so I would like to put in my nickle (inflation) on metal procurement. I rarely pay for any metal. My buddies call me a scrounge but when they need something I see them in my pile. I pick up free metal any place I can find it. Sidewalks, Craigs list, free ads in the newspaper. I have a small place behind my garage where I keep a stash. When it gets out of hand I haul some to my local recycler. Sometimes I come home with money, other times I come back with a piece that me or one of my buddies need. People who know me even call me when they see something I might like. The point is if you have a small place to store it, pick up anything you can get for free. If you don't need it, get it anyway. You might be able to trade for something you need or make a buck at the recyclers. (Ex.this week when I get my new plasma cutter from longevity, I'm going to be cutting up a large water tank off a military truck. there will be some good stuff in there. The rest goes to recycling. Hello all & thanks for listening. B.Bailey

**Gadget** · 01-12-2010, 05:39 PM

Welcome to the forum B Bailey. I agree with your philosophy on scrounging metals. I always have my eyes open for metal cast offs. Free is always good.
Glad to see you on the forum, post some photos of your work when you get a chance. Also, please post an intro in the introduce yourself forum so the members can get to know you.
Dan