The price of steel

[ecgreen]

Howdy,

I am a noob to buying steel. What should I be paying for for a 6x2 3/16th 6 foot length of steel?

Sean

 

[Uncle Gump]

Steel prices are crazy.... I'm not totally sure... but more then you thought you would have to pay.

 

[ericbphoto]

I recommend paying the seller's price unless you want to be arrested.

When buying, it's always too expensive. When selling, it's always to cheap.

That's life.

 

[don4331]

Howdy,

I am a noob to buying steel. What should I be paying for for a 6x2 3/16th 6 foot length of steel?

Sean

MetalsDepot has 2x6x3/16 rectangular tube A-500 for ~$22/ft + shipping/handling/taxes - that will get you negotiating position for local purchase. ~$91/ft if you want 304 stainless.

 

[ecgreen]

Okay, so the metalsdepot prices are reasonable correct? Never know with online companys sometimes

 

[sgtsandman]

From what I remember, their prices aren't bad. Don't forget to check shipping. Some companies mark their prices low and get you with the shipping later. I was going to suggest buying local if you can but with most everything being shut down, the chances of a local steel supplier being open, if there is even one local to you, are going to be slim.

 

[oh10ranger]

not sure on 3/16. but I just bought a piece of 16g. that was 5ft x 4ft. for $48.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

I recommend paying the seller's price unless you want to be arrested.

Now *that's* an answer I'd be proud of. Well done, sir.

 

[Dirtman]

This from a guy who didn't pay for his lobster bisque this morning...

 

[1990RangerinSK]

This from a guy who didn't pay for his lobster bisque this morning...

There's something fishy about that accusation (and the breakfast!).

 

[91stranger]

We have a local steel vendor near us who sells steel pretty damn cheap. Flat stock steel like what you are wanting would be $10 for a 10' piece. I actually need to get a hold of him so I can get some steel to reinforce my trailer. He sells everything from 1" flat stock to sheets of diamond plate. All pretty reasonable too. I know this info doesn't help since your not in central ohio though. I would call around some local fab shops and see where they get metal from.

 

[Blmpkn]

DO NOT BUY STEEL ONLINE. Even if it wasn't for the exorbitant cost of shipping, online metal suppliers really gouge you on their prices.

For example:

Speedy metals offers 1.5" .120 wall square tube for 10 dollars a foot, not including shipping. About the same as other online suppliers.

I'm going to pick up the SAME 1.5" .120 wall square locally for UNDER 3 dollars a foot.

Sheet steel is even more ridiculous online, speedy metals wants 25 bucks a square foot for .120 sheet.

I'm getting 32 square feet for 145.

Even if you have to drive 2 hours round trip to a steel yard, it's going to be your best bet.

 

[91stranger]

^^^^Agreed^^^^ Buy local.

 

[bilbo]

I concur. Buy it local. From what I've found it's much less expensive. And don't buy it from places like Menards, use a steel supplier or fab place. I get mine from a big welding shop in town. They will do one cut for free. More if you get to know them well.

I use this site (https://www.coremarkmetals.com/?utm_source=discountsteel.com) for project estimates. They have a location in MN and their prices seem close enough. I'd imagine shipping small orders of steel is extremely expensive. That's why they charge what they do. It would be a big, heavy, goofy shaped package.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

DO NOT BUY STEEL ONLINE. Even if it wasn't for the exorbitant cost of shipping, online metal suppliers really gouge you on their prices.

For example:

Speedy metals offers 1.5" .120 wall square tube for 10 dollars a foot, not including shipping. About the same as other online suppliers.

I'm going to pick up the SAME 1.5" .120 wall square locally for UNDER 3 dollars a foot.

Sheet steel is even more ridiculous online, speedy metals wants 25 bucks a square foot for .120 sheet.

I'm getting 32 square feet for 145.

Even if you have to drive 2 hours round trip to a steel yard, it's going to be your best bet.

I'm really disappointed in you, Bimpkin. You had an excellent opportunity for a pun, and you didn't take it. For shame! Guess I'll just have to steel it.

You seem to be implying that online prices aren't exactly a steel.