Sources for steel to weld (angle, plate, etc)?

[kenp2600]

I want to do a few projects with my new welder (a welding cart for example) but the angle iron and other materials at the local hardware store are so expensive, I can't imagine that's where everyone gets their steel. What other sources are there for materials like that?

Thanks

[GilaSlim]

Look in your phone book under STEEL or METALS.

GS

[fjk]

Look in your phone book under STEEL or METALS.

GS

or google "steel supplier" or "steel service center" or the like
(and your town -- lest you get places in outer mongolia :-).
many will have some kind of a web presence -- even if it's
just a minimal "who we are, what our phone number is" sort of
thing.

f

[Broccoli1]

I want to do a few projects with my new welder (a welding cart for example) but the angle iron and other materials at the local hardware store are so expensive, I can't imagine that's where everyone gets their steel. What other sources are there for materials like that?

Thanks

It also helps to enter your Location in your profile so members in your area can help with suppliers:)

[Ohio Mike]

I recently searched by "Steel Distributors / Warehouses" in the online yellow pages. I haven't had a chance to call any of them yet.

I was actually thinking of posting here just hadn't got around to it. The supplier I've used so far is located near where I grew up which is now several hours away. So anyone have a good supplier in Columbus OH they like?

[Garfield]

Any body heard of these guys?http://www.discountsteel.com/index.cfm/go/main.resources.htm

If nothing else the reference page is kinda handy.

[ehgauss]

Try a scrap yard. We have one nearby that has a large throughput of scrap metal from the area, and they don't mind some scrounging. They'll charge you by weight, and it doesn't have to be large quantities.

[boykjo]

Look around for some steel bed frames. Usually u can find them for free........ In nc our waste drop off sites have metal bins. Sometimes u might find something good in them...........

also remember..... Theres no such thing as scrap metal

[BBackSoon]

If you’re looking for steel, talk to people. You will be amazed what people will give you for taking it away!

I know it is more than you are looking for but a while back a friend of mine's brother died. He was a lifelong machinist. He had a garage full of steel, lots of rod and flat stock but some angle and tube also. His wife had called around and everyone wanted to charge her to remove the "junk". I offered to pay her for it there was so much. She would not take anything and was tickled that I took it. Took us 3 loads with a half-ton truck to get it all out of there. The first load was way scary.

You just have to be ready to jump when these things come around.

Scrap yard also. You might have to check a few before you find one that will deal with you if you want small quantities, but you will. Just be cool in the yard. Don’t trash the place, don’t mess up the piles if they look sorted and don’t climb the piles. You don’t want to get hurt.

[stevinator]

I just picked some up today on a job site. They were building a steel building and the ironworkers gave me permission to get some of their scrap.I get it from a local door manufacturer too.:)

[folmonty]

Glad I found this post. Now I'll try to think "outside of the box" bit more. Was also thinking each time the local cities have a special "waste pick-up day" I've seen all kinds of steel being tossed out.

[moya034]

I've placed wanted ad's on craiglist with a general description of what type of steel I was looking for and gotten responses. One time a guy brought a huge amount of stuff to my house which has proved to be very useful. He even gave me a nice set of stick welding cables while he was at it.

Call your local steel suppliers. I'm lucky... I have a local place that deals with standard mild steel. They have free delivery with only a $80 minimum order, which is good cuz they sell 20 ft sections or large sheets ,and I don't have a pickup truck (yet) :)

Although, having a pickup truck still wouldn't help me haul home a 20 ft section of steel. They use huge flat bed trucks for delivery.

[Sberry]

Steel suppliers can be a lot like welding supply stores, some are not all that interested in small walk in stuff, some are. Welding is more than welding many times, I am a salvage whiz, collect the stuff. Take advantage of any pre-fabrication whenever it permits, heck a lot of used sheet is already painted. Lots of prebent tubes, would be very difficult to fabricate but the original bbq grill maker already did it. Here was a quickie. I didn't buy anything except for couple screws and about a dozen tack welds in about an hour.

[Sberry]

I have bought a lot of steel and done tons of structural fab type stuff but rarely anymore do I go carting down to the yard for a bunch of angle or plate, its become more of taking advantage of it all as it comes along. When I got to buy something I buy it or buy a core piece, etc but so much of it comes so easy for free. We were working in a county road ditch the other day and stumble on a piece of angle, 3x3 about 6 ft must have come off a truck. Was like picking up a 20$ bill anymore.

[Sberry]

There is a huge amount of steel in a washing machine and 4 springs that make particularly good replacements for bungee cords, all galvanized and nice hooks on the ends. Doors come with hinges, big free pieces of flat steel all painted.
Here are some fundamental salvage pieces at the start. I think it was a washer and a dryer.

[Knowledgeworker]

Hey Mr. Sberry,

Love the Hobart cart. A great example of recycle. :D

Jim