Steel prices

[Douglas JohnstonParticipant @douglasjohnston98463]

I have recently bought some steel and was quite shocked at how expensive it was. I have quite a decent stock which was bought about 6 years ago and the prices seemed reasonable at that time. I keep reading that worldwide steel prices have tumbled in recent months and wonder if any of this reduction will filter through to the kind of sizes we tend to buy.

Aluminium also seems very expensive these days and I can't find any decent local suppliers so postage costs add to the final bill.

That's the morning moan over, so must go outside since it is a lovely sunny (but cold ) day here in Scotland.

Doug

[Douglas JohnstonParticipant @douglasjohnston98463]

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

Prices vary massively depending where you buy from. A two foot length from a specialist ME supplier costs the same as a 18 ft length from my local steel supplier. Local steel supplier doesnt carefully measure it, wipe it and wrap it in paper though. Oh, and it will probably be bent too!

[Black Cat2Participant @blackcat256889]

Try anywhere you can buy offcuts..I m lucky in that respect in Cambridge with Mackays-going to fill car up with bits one day as I ll be moving away eventually

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

Posted by Douglas Johnston on 17/10/2015 09:25:32:

I have recently bought some steel and was quite shocked at how expensive it was. I have quite a decent stock which was bought about 6 years ago and the prices seemed reasonable

That's the morning moan over, so must go outside since it is a lovely sunny (but cold ) day here in Scotland.

Doug

Pretty ironic ( no pun intended….) when you hear in the news that the steel works in my home town is to close and job losses into thousands at Scunthorpe…..

[Chris DentonParticipant @chrisdenton53037]

I agree with the comment about prices.

I buy 3 meter lengths for the same prices as some suppliers charge for 30cm.

Find a local steel supplier.

 

Aluminium off cuts are still quite good on eBay. 

Cheap titanium rods from China too  

 

 

Edited By Chris Denton on 17/10/2015 23:32:43

[mick70Participant @mick70]

try making friends with your local metal supermarket lads.

ones at my local are great, i go in tell them what i want and they let look at their offcuts.

needed some 38mm rd other day they only had 42mm in offcuts bit but they only ever charge me scrap wt + 10%.

worst i had was needed some 2" and they only had 60mm but bit extra time turning down was worth saving i made in money.

also try local scrap metal dealers my local one saves anything that might be useful again scrap value + a bit.

got some nice 1/2" ali discs from him i used to make a set bearing installers with.

another good source is local metal collector guy, he often stops by with bits for me, as empties out couple of factory units.

[Dougie SwanParticipant @dougieswan43463]

where about in Scotland afre you Douglas?

Dougie

[Eric CoxParticipant @ericcox50497]

I was surprised when I was pricing up some metal. 2 inch square brass was cheaper than 2 inch square MS.

[Anonymous]

I thought steel prices had dropped through the floor, we used to get at leasr one scrap metal wagon on the estate every day and up to half a dozen on Saturdays and Sundays, typically as i've got some bits to get rid of I haven't seen one about for some weeks as if it's more trouble than it's worth

[John McNamaraParticipant @johnmcnamara74883]

If you buy material when you need it can be expensive, The trick is to acquire it when you don't. I always have my eye out for material. Of course you risk the usual "you are such a magpie" comments from other members of the family! in my family I am usually asked first how big is it? when announce a good find.

Anyway after a bit of digging around my shop more often than not it is "in stock"…….

I Keep an eye out for closing down auctions steel offcuts usually sell for less than the current scrap Iron value, dealers wont pay more because there is nothing in it for them.

Regards
John

[John McNamaraParticipant @johnmcnamara74883]

Posted in error

Edited By John McNamara on 19/10/2015 13:27:18

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