Non-reimbursed plug: a good place to buy metal...

[MercMan1951]

I was turned on to this place a few months back when I asked in a post as to where people from the HAMB were obtaining their sheetmetal. A fellow HAMBer mentioned this place, and I looked them up. Turns out, they had a location about 5 minutes from my work. I go in at lunch, tell them what I need, pay for it, and after work I go pick it up and it's ready. Done. In and out with what I want in a total of about 10 minutes.

http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/

Thay have many locations throughout the US, and although I can't vouch for any location except my own near me, they are top notch. They have EVERYTHING. You want 1/4 plate? They got it. A 4X8 sheet of diamond-plate? They got it. A 6 inch diameter cylindrical chunk of aluminum? Yeah, it's there. How about box tubing? Sure. Plus, they'll cut it to any size you want.

I went in today (my 2nd time there) and got three 2 foot by 3 foot sheets of 18 gauge, one 2 foot by 3 foot sheet of 16 gauge, and two lengths of 1/8 inch thick by 1/2 inch by 3 feet of angle: grand total - $40 bucks! They go by the pound, and all this was almost 60 pounds worth.

I asked the guy about the price of steel going up, and he said it's still going up, and should be going up "for a while". I told him I had heard that China was buying up all our scrap metal...and he nodded in agreement.

If you guys have access to one of these places (check their website) go get your stuff now...before it goes up anyomore. I thought that what I paid for what I got was pretty reasonable, compared to past dealings with automotive paint stores and their "patch panel" sheetmetal that was the same price I paid for only ONE of the pieces I bought today, but I got 4 sheets that will last me another few months (on the Merc anyways... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif)

Just thought I'd pass this info along...I don't work for them or anything... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Unkl Ian]

Seems like they are everywhere.
Good selection and service,but expensive in my experience.

[MercMan1951]

Expensive is how you take it...I had previous experience with only being able to obtain what I was looking for (sheet steel) in limited quantities that was WAY overpriced from the local Painter's Supply and Equipment (automotive paint chain here in metro Detroit.) I'll pay a little extra per pound to be able to go in, tell them what I want, and have it ready for me when I'm ready...if I could find a cheaper outlet around here (the suburbs) I'd be on it in a hurry...

Actually, this might be a good post to put up where different people from around the country get their metal supplies from, and the experiences they've had with them.

Since I know of no other place than like what I have described to buy my raw materials, (and certainly none more convienent,) I'd love to hear about where others have gotten their metal from (especially in the metro Detroit area)... Anyone in other parts of the country stuck in my rut?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

[yorgatron]

good service should be rewarded,it's all too rare these days.there's one near me,i'll report back when i go.

[41ChevyTrucker]

Hey thanks for posting that. I have been looking for a new place near me and they have a guy in the same town as the place I go to now. Everett Steel in Woodinville is where I was going but they are no longer keeping their big shear hooked up because they say they its not worth their time when they can make more money off of decorative prefab wrought iron fence junk. lame.

cheers

[desertratrodder]

I have found some good deals at one of the recycle yards out here, steel flat, tube, angle, sheets 25 cents a pound.. any size or quantity. They have aluminum sheets and diamond plate, chunks of aluminum too..a little more, but still less than the steel yard..

[Tinbender]

From what I've been hearing China buying scrap is the tip of the iceberg. I've heard from several sources that China is buying up all the worlds coke reserves(relax Germ, not that kind of coke) and all the mines. Their plan is to take over steel production. I was told to expect steel prices to triple within a year. Anyone else hear anything about this? We could be fucked.

[41ChevyTrucker]

d'oh! I need a meager two foot piece of 2x4 3/16" tubing so I called the Metal Supermarkets by me and they wanted $49. To their credit they said they don't usually stock 3/16 but I called the other place I go to and they wanted only $17.