How much and what type and size stock do you keep on hand?
How low do you let it get before reordering?

i currently am full up of steel ive got 5/8 1/2 3/8 5/16 1/4 3/16 sq and 1/2 3/8 1/4 3/16 round some 3/16 x1 1/2 , 1/4 x 2, 1/2 x1 1/2, 1/8 x 1/2,1/4 x1/2 flat bar . ive got 20 leingths of the more popular sizes (3/8 sq 1/4 sq 1/2 rnd ect)i sometimes run down to almost nuthin left before buying more ... also get deals sometimes on odd pieces (reciently got a pile of 5/8 sq in ramdom leingth btween 22-30 in in leingth for a good deal).I also recycle as much as possable as my customers cant tell the difference and the price is better.

I like to keep 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 both square and round on hand. I usually get 40 ft. of whatever size when getting it. I usually restock when I reach for a certain size and then say "I thought I had some of that".

all my 1/2 sq. stock and 3/8th round is inside, about 200' of each, my larger stuff is under a tarp outside covered in ice and snow, so I'll have to guess I generally keep about 100' or so of 3/4, 7/8 and some other odds and ends, but that's all a hobbyist really needs, fortunately I have a good steel supplier in Rochester who gives us in the NYSDBA a nice discount!

We are a bit different, but
1 bar 300 dia 4140 AR black
1 Bar 330 dia 4340 AR black
1 to 2 ton of 140 dia 4140 AR black
1 ton 80 dia 4140 AR black
2 bars 130 dia 4340 AR black
1 ton 63 sqr 1045
1 ton 50 sqr 1045
1 ton 33 dia 1045
1/2 ton 4317/EN36 80 dia
10 bars 30 dia 5155 spring
1 ton 26 dia 6150 spring
1 ton 24 dia 5160 spring
couple of bars of 16 dia 20 dia 24 dia 30 dia 40 dia 50 dia mild for making handles etc.
about 15 bars of flat mild for handles etc or tools
Heaps of offcuts of all the above
I normally try to buy in ton lots.

sounds like you put a small steel supplier to shame!:)

We are a bit different, but
1 bar 300 dia 4140 AR black
1 Bar 330 dia 4340 AR black
1 to 2 ton of 140 dia 4140 AR black
1 ton 80 dia 4140 AR black
2 bars 130 dia 4340 AR black
1 ton 63 sqr 1045
1 ton 50 sqr 1045
1 ton 33 dia 1045
1/2 ton 4317/EN36 80 dia
10 bars 30 dia 5155 spring
1 ton 26 dia 6150 spring
1 ton 24 dia 5160 spring
couple of bars of 16 dia 20 dia 24 dia 30 dia 40 dia 50 dia mild for making handles etc.
about 15 bars of flat mild for handles etc or tools
Heaps of offcuts of all the above
I normally try to buy in ton lots.

Just curious what you use the 6150 for.... I am just getting ready to go on the hunt for some to make dovetail keys.....



I buy quite a bit of steel... 30 ton or so a year... I couldn't tell you what all I have but would guess there could be 20-30 ton if you added everything up.. I stock a full range of flats angles channels sq round and tubing... A bit of plate... I have several ton of 4140 (all surplus bought for 10 cents a pound) and at least a ton of tool / alloy steels in various shapes and flavors... I do a small bit of retail sales but mostly its just because... I dont have near as much on hand as I have in years past

As I'm just starting out, my stock is somewhat more modest. I currently have 1", 20mm, and 10mm round, 20mm, and 10mm square as well as various small offcuts. I usually keep about 10 metres although I'll probably re-order when I'm down to 2 metres of each left.

1/2x1/4
1 1/2
3/4x 3/8
3/4x 5/16
3/4x 7/16
5/8x 3/8
5/8x 5/16
7/8x 3/8
7/8x 7/16

i usualy keep 50ft of each.

Hey Monstermetal
We use the 6150 for the manufacture of a fencing or spud bar that we produce for one of our customers, we would normally push out between 500 and 700 of these per year. The bar is the stem, we forge a 65mm wide chisel end from 8660 which gets butt welded on to the stem then swaged to hammer refine the weld, then the whole bar is heat treated. Almost out of the 8660 and can't get any more, so I'll have to find something else to use.
Phil