Jump to content
I Forge Iron

Price of Genuine Wrought Iron


Recommended Posts

Can anyone give me a idea of the price of Genuine Wrought Iron.

 

I have some 3/4 inch square bars each 5 feet long.

 

They are all in good condition.

 

I would prefer to trade a few for some 1/2 inch wrought iron round or square bars.

 

But I got a call from someone who wanted to buy a few bars.

 

I'm located in Suffern , NY

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fellow at Quad State has been selling old bridge wrought iron for US$1 a pound for at least a decade.  I buy mine at the scrap yard for 20 cents a pound but in "used" condition. (of course I found 100' of 1.25" WI rod for free and another of 1/2" rod at the same price...)

 

The old globe stuff was priced high enough that they have had trouble selling it and have run into difficulties; don't know if I would base my pricing on them...

 

As it's not a common item; it's pretty much what you can get for it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Its worth what you can get for it.  It would sell at a buck a pound I would buy it.  It also depends on if it has old lead paint on it as well.  I have some smaller size stuff.  I swaged down some stuff today  from 3/4" round to 1/2" round for some parts for a oyster sloop.  They need the wrought iron for its superior rust resistance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Two sellers on Ebay usually reach the $2.50 to $3.00 range.  Here's one going for more than $3lb. 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Lbs-Old-WROUGHT-IRON-SQUARE-FLAT-STOCK-Anvil-Forge-Blacksmith-q-/221203211297?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3380bd2421

 

 

 

I had a lot I tried selling for some time at a buck a pound and finaly gave up....    I have seen guys ask as much as $4/lb but I dont think anyone buys much at those prices.

um, do you still want $1LB?  :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can anyone give me a idea of the price of Genuine Wrought Iron.

 

I have some 3/4 inch square bars each 5 feet long.

 

They are all in good condition.

 

I would prefer to trade a few for some 1/2 inch wrought iron round or square bars.

 

But I got a call from someone who wanted to buy a few bars.

 

I'm located in Suffern , NY

 

Dickb, for that matter why don't you break your stock down 1/4" to get your desired material?

 

 

Well its all cut up into nice size pieces and shipped to your door.  Takes all the work out of it.

 

Would those short lengths work for your oyster sloops? A little more ideal for damascus and bladesmiths?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have about 300lbs of assorted scrap on hand.  I generally forge down or build up to make what I need.  My needs are very different than your average hobbyist.  I like thicker and longer bars.  I have a power hammer and a full assortment of swages so I can make finished looking round bar.  I do have some small rounds at my place If you are ever down my way I would swap some with you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the issue is that the market isn't very deep.  People get caught up in the romance of real wrought iron; but few smiths will use a lot of it and so selling a few pounds to a knifemaker is much more common than selling a ton of it.  If you only buy a pound every couple of years paying a bit more isn't a problem...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is a reply to why not just forge it down to a smaller size.

Without a power hammer, it's just too much work to forge it down to the size I need.
That's why I am trying to swap it for some lighter bars.

An offer to buy came in and since I have more wrought iron than I will need, I decided to ask about the prices.

If anyone near Suffern, NY has some smaller bars and would like to swap, then drop me an email at [email protected]

thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We used a lot of it to make historical hawks and axes..wagon rim and wrought bars big enough to forge into hawk blanks usually run us about $1.50-$2.00 a pound but we have to order it..Wrought iron wasnt common around here..Not many wagons were used here in the mountains, mostly sleds..We need to order some now but have been laying off looking for a cheaper source..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...