any advice on metal purchasing

[wagin]

Trying to go independent, any advice on how/where to purchase small amounts of sheetmetal and other materials? I am familiar with the big distributors, but orders are too small, and the smaller suppliers want to rob me cost wise. (75.00/ sheet, 4x8, 16ga.)

[kepe]

Some retailers don't want to mess with small quantities, which is a shame. Join forces with other guys and buy in bulk is one way to get around it. Have you thought about salvage yards?

[Brad Blazer]

www.onlinemetals.com can be good for special small stuff.
www.bencosteel.com and Carolina Metals here in Hickory sell small quantities. Conover Metals too.

A friend had a good experience with these guys in Winston. They have a CLT location.
http://www.atlanticscrap.com/affiliate.php

Find a buddy at a big shop or plant maintenance to look for good castoffs and start a stockpile? My plant charges employees $.06/lb for scrap metal but the property pass process can be a PITA.

[jerry miller]

I just had to buy 5 sheets of 4 x 8 diamond plate for a job it was 1/8 cost $1059.00
metal prices is going crazy

[Jolly Roger]

That doesn't seem like a bad price for 16ga given the current market. Go get some 1/4" plate and you will think that is cheap. Twelve 4X8's priced at a little over $3400.00 with sales tax two weeks ago.

[hdwood]

My advise is to buy as much as you can at that price. I buy 500 ton a month so I guess I am a big guy and my price is $0.80/LB. Yours is a little over a dollar/LB. Keep your eye on the metals market for pricing because we are on our 3rd increase this year just for the raw material cost. Shipping is a whole 'nuther story.

[sc6chuck9]

This makes me wonder if selling off my excess metal as my WIFE wants is such a good idea even though it's bringing such a good price right now. I am just a small "Job Shop" machine shop who also does fab, welding, and cutting work. What do you guys think?

Chuck in South Carolina

[rustyjames]

Originally Posted by sc6chuck9

This makes me wonder if selling off my excess metal as my WIFE wants is such a good idea even though it's bringing such a good price right now. I am just a small "Job Shop" machine shop who also does fab, welding, and cutting work. What do you guys think?

Chuck in South Carolina

That's a tough call; I'm hearing it can continue to climb. But, by the same token, prices can go the other way. I've been into metal for over 30 years and I've never seen it like this; around here they're scrapping everything.