Rising Metal Prices

[waverider]

How are you guys handling the rising metal prices?

Are you your customers just complaining or are they refusing to have work done?

Every time we order new material, we are hearing of additional increases.

Cheers,

tp

[Brent13]

I just a hobbiest, but want to build a small trailer in the next few months. I am not to sure I can build one for any cheaper than buying new. It sucks!!!

Brent

[big worm]

I know what you mean guys. I called and qouted 2 pcs of 1/4'' X 2'' X 3'' angle $177.00 + tax Not really worth building something unless you need it real bad, can't get it any other way or if the customer foots the bill.

[Roy Hodges]

Yeah, it's oughta sight . I retired 2 years ago, and it was already going up every month , then . I have in my garage about $1000 worth of angle and flat bar, etc. I wish somebody close wanted to buy , cash & carry . I'd let it go for 1/3 the going price . But shipping is out. TOO expensive . Thats a big problem, too . oh well.

[riley mcmillan]

I haven't bought a lot of steel since moving from Texas to Pennsylvania but the price of steel is double here in Pa compared to Tx. I visit relatives in Texas from time to time and called Dimco steel in Dallas where I used to buy a lot of steel both cold rolled and hot rolled. You would think that the steeler state would be competitive. When I bought steel in Texas I would often ask where it came from; South Africa, England, Mexico, Russia, and of course the good ole USA. I worked with a lot of steel, forming and welding, and couldn't tell any difference in the properties no matter where it came from.

[Rabidfish]

I was just complaining about paying $ 275.00 for 4 pieces of 2" x 3" 11 ga. Now I dont feel so bad.

One of the ways I try to keep material costs down is to save up orders for several projects and order them all at once. It's not big savings, but a penny saved...

One thing for sure. I don't let even that first piece of scrap go out the door for free anymore. Even a little 2" gusset is worth a buck. I used to have people ask for small pieces, and I gave them away alot of the time. Then I saw what "Lowes" charges for a piece of 1/4" 4 inches square. For that kinda money I'll even cut it to fit!

[olddad]

Where you at Roy ?

[Roy Hodges]

[QUOTE=olddad;164221]Where you at Roy ?................................................. .................................................. ................................
.................................................. .................................................. ..................................
I live in the Napa Valley , California . 2 miles east of the city of Napa . World famous for our grapes & wine . "God's Country "

[olddad]

Never mind...only 2000 miles...LOL

[CaptainWilly]

my last trip to the steel yard-

20 foot - 3/8 x 2" flat bar
20 foot - 3/8 x 3" flat bar
20 foot - 1/2 x 3" flat bar
20 foot - 3/8 x 1" flat bar
20 foot - 1"x"1 1/4" angle

2 4'x5' 16 gauge sheet

Total - $180.53

I didnt think that was bad...




my last emergency trip to home depot -

1 2 foot 1/2" peice of black pipe
1 4 foot peice of 1" black pipe
1 4x4 peice of 16 gauge sheet metal
1 4 foot peice of 3/4x3/4 1/4" angle iron

Total - $76.94

[juice]

Its not looking good here in oz either. All you hear is ads on the radio for shed building companys saying that the price of steel is going up!!! Its happened a fair bit over here, I dont know exact prices, but even scrap steel I get from work is getting harder to get a hold of!

A bit like fuel prices. Always going up and up and up!!!!!!!!

[Jolly Roger]

I have called 4 different companies pricing steel down here, specifically 1/4" plate 4X8 sheets. The price per sheet varied by $140.00. I talked to the guy I get most of mine from (unlike the competition he will get on the phone and try to find whatever I need) and currently his cost is running from 80 cents to $1.20 per pound. It's hing and there is nothing to be done about it. I bought 3" pipe a couple months back and the Chinese stuff cost just as much as the American. Haven't figured that out yet. I don't throw anything away. I've gone to having the customer purchase the material and bring it to me if it is a very large order. I keep their drops and save them for the next job they have.

[Hammack_Welding]

In the past I have normally kept a good stock of steel on the rack. With prices soaring I am now only keeping one of the most common pieces I use. Anything else I order when I need it and can have it the next day. I also do as Rabidfish, and everything has a price. small pieces I use to just give away now have a price tag. I have noticed a decline in fabrication, but My business is most repair, and I haven't notice a difference in it. I I got a letter yesterday from two of my steel distributors, and both said to expect an increase this month and next month. THe biggest trouble we are having here now is people stealing anything iron related with high scrap iron prices people have gone to stealing junk to sell for a profit.

[Guy_48]

I end up spending more time at the scrap yard, they seem to have quite a bit of plate steel, not much in square tubing but what the hell, at 33 cents a lbs, I'll dig a little bit to find enough for my projects. I now understand why shops have to charge so much for jobs....

[stickkid]

I'm a welding student at the local community college, I usually go to the scrapyard sometimes there's some good stuff for 35 cents a pound.
Around here rust is a big problem but sometimes I get lucky and hit a fresh load of scrap from one of the local shops.

[CaptainWilly]

Funny, the payout when you recycle scrap hasnt gone up much at all.

[tortis]

Originally Posted by Guy_48

I end up spending more time at the scrap yard, they seem to have quite a bit of plate steel, not much in square tubing but what the hell, at 33 cents a lbs, I'll dig a little bit to find enough for my projects. I now understand why shops have to charge so much for jobs....

that is what i do as well. i think it is cheaper to have surgery, than buy steel.

[Mangler]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger

I have called 4 different companies pricing steel down here, specifically 1/4" plate 4X8 sheets. The price per sheet varied by $140.00. I talked to the guy I get most of mine from (unlike the competition he will get on the phone and try to find whatever I need) and currently his cost is running from 80 cents to $1.20 per pound. It's hing and there is nothing to be done about it. I bought 3" pipe a couple months back and the Chinese stuff cost just as much as the American. Haven't figured that out yet. I don't throw anything away. I've gone to having the customer purchase the material and bring it to me if it is a very large order. I keep their drops and save them for the next job they have.

I work in the steel distribution industry, and I find it very hard to believe that his costs are between 80c and $1.20 on that material.

[Mangler]

Originally Posted by Mangler

I work in the steel distribution industry, and I find it very hard to believe that his costs are between 80c and $1.20 on that material.

I just checked, and we're selling 1/4" 48x96 A36/44W for about $0.51/lb. This price is wholesale for fabrication shops that purchase regularily.

[badassb5.5]

With the chinese buying almost every little bit of metel they can get their hands on, it's driving up prices so no one else can afford it. What do you do.....

[stickkid]

Yeah, that sucks they already got us over the barrel and it can only get worse!
Makes me want to hoard a bunch of steel....

[baddarryl]

My buddy just gave me 10 pieces of 1/8" x 1 x1 angle iron 6 feet long for free! Guess he didn't know what he had. Neither did I for that matter since I am new to all of this.

[infro]

it's killing me .... 5 by 10 sheet 3/16 287.90
now I'm starting to slow down and the steel keeps going up
it's a no win for me

[Rabidfish]

A few things I'm doing to help keep materials cost down: (or maximize material margins)

1) I'm adding a contingency clause to my quotes. Figuring material prices into the quote and for cost increases to be passed onto the customer.

2) No longer quoting jobs at the prices of materials I keep in stock. ( I reserve the right to increase my inventory, just as my suppliers do. )

3) This can be tricky... I'm really working hard at not "overbuilding" any longer. For example- 2x2x1/4 square tube, do you really need it? What about 2x2x1/8? Or even 2x2x11ga? performs the same function, with less than 1/2 the weight... and... when the scales reads "$ per lbs" I all of a sudden get more competitive on my pricing.

[scrapmetalprices]

for current scrap metal prices for copper, aluminum, zinc, stainless steel and more go to Scrap Metal Prices and Auctions website