I finally was able to get to a local steel yard after reading several posts about buying steel there instead of at Lowes/Home Depot/etc. This goes out to all of you like me who keep putting it off for whatever reason. I have to admit I'm not comfortable with strangers and I don't like taking people away from what they might be working on and that is the biggest reasons why I kept putting it off. Today I broke down because I need steel and don't want to keep paying so much for a 4' piece. I called to make sure they sold to the general public before I drove out and wasted my time, the guy said they did and asked just what I was looking for. Honestly I didn't know so I told him  that im a blacksmith and I'm looking for some stock under an inch thick and he said come by and he could hook me up with somethin. I get there and mention I just called and he said, 'ok you the horeshoer?' Well it's too late to make my story short but I'll hurry this along a little. He directed me to their 'seconds' pile, which was mostly new stock that's just been bent up and a few short odd cuts. I ended up digging through a pile with everything from angle to channels to bars to rounds, ranging from 1/8 to 3" in size. I walked out of there with 3 sticks at 20' for $20. They were nice enough to cut them all in half to fit my truck and he didn't even charge me for cutting.

I guess what I'm trying to say is give your local steel yard a chance. I met some nice guys today and found a new business I'll be visiting again in the next month or so because I enjoyed my experience that much.

Well done, and bring those guys some doughnuts next time you go.  Everyone involved will be happy with the result.

I was helped by one guy who cut it down and the guy that sold it. I'd like to take somethin back next trip, maybe a bottle opener (if I can ever get it right). I bought a stick of 1/2x1" that might work for that, but I might just break down and go the doughnut route instead lol.

It's normal practice for most steel yards to cut stock in half for pickups gratis. Just don't ask in the office or they'll mark the cut request on the bill and . . . If possible always deal with the guys in the yard before taking the purchase list up front. The yard guys are working stiffs and don't give beans for bean counters so long as you don't take advantage or cause them trouble.

The drops bin is usually where I shopped, they'll almost always sell drops just a little over scrap price if the yard monkeys just don't notice it fall into your truck, don't get greedy.

Doughnuts (even if Thomas abhors the things) are good PR as are a little forged somethings.

Frosty The Lucky.

no my problem is that I love them but am not supposed to eat them

Frosty, I don't like causing anyone any trouble if I can help it. In fact I was told to find what I wanted in the pile and they'd send a forklift over to help dig it out if needed well even though what I wanted was at the bottom of the pile I dug it out before anyone could be bothered with a forklift. I could tell the guys were busy and even remarked to the guy in the office that they probably don't waste much time on us smaller buyers (just gettin a feel for the guys attitude) and he told me he loved dealin with smaller orders. I was actually told it was gonna cost $0.55/lb and I told him I could spend about $20 and that's what I payed at the end even though according to an online calculator my weight was actually closer to $30 and he didn't even question what I got. He had a yard guy help me get it inside to cut it and load it and I went to the office expecting him to ask what I got instead he just asked if I got what I needed. I told him I'd be all set soon as he told me what I owed him and he looked at me like I was stupid and asked, 'you said you couldn't spend more than $20 right?' I payed him thanked him and was on my way.

Like I said they were good people and I'm looking forward to going back. I saw enough stuff in that pile to build me a power hammer a go cart for my son and all sorts of other fun projects.

I always tell them that I can use rusted or damaged steel as I will be forging it anyway.  Helps them not to have to scrap damaged stuff and helps me in the pocketbook.  If they are not busy I always take in something I have made from their steel to show them how it's being used.

That's about the norm dealing with folk at the steel yard M. They're working Joes and a little consideration and courtesy goes a long way. I've always gotten along great with the guys in the yard and the desk.

Frosty The Lucky.

Apparently our local steel yard does things differently.  Drops are full-price and sold per foot, so I have given up on buying their drops. If you don't pay for a cut, you won't get anything cut. For a while they were charging $2 per cut, so if they cut 20 quarter-inch rods in one pass of the chop saw, that one swipe cost you $40.   The guys in the yard have a pretty big turnover in personnel, only one gentleman is still there the 30 or so years that I have purchased from there.   ... Still, it is much cheaper than the big-box stores. .... My point is never assume that someone's experience at one steel yard will be the same as the steel yard near you.

True Dave, I guess I painted too rosey a picture. I've only dealt with the same 6 in South Central Alaska, 2 in the interior and one on Kodiak island so my  sample is pretty small for blanket statements. Heck, I haven't dealt with one of the Anchorage yards in almost 20 years so management and attitudes may have changed.

I know if I asked at the desk about cutting lengths in half to haul or looking through the rems I got charged per cut and full /lb. price of the rems. That's why I suggested talking to the guys in the yard first and let them fill out the invoice. That was just the one yard back then though.

I guess you gotta feel the yards out where you live.

Frosty The Lucky.

I always tell them that I can use rusted or damaged steel as I will be forging it anyway.  Helps them not to have to scrap damaged stuff and helps me in the pocketbook.  If they are not busy I always take in something I have made from their steel to show them how it's being used.

Next time I go I'll take a picture of the pile I went through. Some of the pieces were gently bent and some like the 1/2"X11" I got wouldn't take much to look like a giant horseshoe and it's all rusty from sittin out in the weather. Those details make no difference to me but I know they can't use it or sell it like that to just anyone. 

How does that song go-" If it wern't for used steel, I'd have no steel at all."

M, you ought to make the drive to Limestone Steel some day, he's open on Saturdays for 1/2 a day, makes it easier for me to get over there.  The guy there will talk your head off but their steel is cheap, straight, protected from the elements and they'll cut whatever you need, any size you need.   

M, you ought to make the drive to Limestone Steel some day, he's open on Saturdays for 1/2 a day, makes it easier for me to get over there.  The guy there will talk your head off but their steel is cheap, straight, protected from the elements and they'll cut whatever you need, any size you need.   

You might get a LITTLE better deal than M. I'll bet he's not near as cute.

Frosty The Lucky.

You might get a LITTLE better deal than M. I'll bet he's not near as cute.

Frosty The Lucky.

He's probably right, Spanky, I haven't been cute for 30 years lol. I'd love to get a better price but with limestone 85 miles away the price would have to be dirt cheap. I don't usually have but $20-30 to spend on this hobby for now and half of that would end up in my gas tank (15 miles/gallon isn't good for long drives lol). I'll keep them in mind if I ever find myself out that way.

I drove up to see my wife this weekend the 2 hours at the scrapyard were purely "incidental"  Only got 60 pounds of steel as it was my grandson's first scrapyard visit and I was paying more attention to him than the pile 

Thomas, I haven't given up finding steel from a scrap yard. I still have yet to find one I can afford the drive that sells to the public. I have a couple I haven't been able to remember to call just yet. One of those always has cool stuff when I go to drop off some of my old junk.

During the summer months cool drinks for the guys may be more appreciated than donuts. A friend used to take a case of Gatorade in for the guys and they took care of him pretty good. 

 

Glad to hear you found a place that will work with you.  Don't forget to let them know to keep an eye out for smithing equipment, or old wrought iron items that might come through the yard.