December 28, 201510 yr Hello all! New to the site and relative newbie to manipulating metal with heat. I'm in the process of building myself a brake drum forge and am in need of some metal. I would rather recycle and not buy new if I can. Is there anyone here that knows of a scrap yard or location that I can come by scrap? I'm located in Columbia, Md and am willing to travel up to an hour to find a decent sized yard to pick through. I thank everyone in advance for any help provided and look forward to becoming a member of the blacksmithing community! Tim
December 28, 201510 yr check out your local machine shops. they always have short ends in a pile. if not they will know where to get what you want. it's always a good idea to build up a relationship with them.
December 28, 201510 yr A quick google search gave About 24,800 results (0.37 seconds). First click gave over 30 addresses in your area.
December 28, 201510 yr Don't know what type of metal you need because you didn't tell us what you want to make; but for mild steel/A-36 I used to get tons of it from a middle sized ornamental iron place. The small ones used *everything*, the big ones didn't want the hassle; but a mid sized one was happy to give me all I could haul as they were having to pay to get it hauled to the scrapyard back then. I made some trinkets for the office staff from their largess and always left the scrap bin neater than when I arrived; worked during their lunch period so didn't interfere with production; wore PPE, etc. Sometimes I would even get real wrought iron from them when they were replacing a 100 year old fence a car had totaled...
December 28, 201510 yr Author Glenn, I too came up with the same results. Sorry if I came across as lazy and didn't do my legwork. I'll be making some calls in the morning. The purpose of my pose was to hopefully weed out many of those results and find a couple places that others like. I was also hoping to find a few people in my area that might be able to help expand my knowledge and metalworking abilities. Bob, thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't even thought to contact a fab shop. Thomas, sorry for not specifying. Yes, mild steel is what I'm looking for, along with bits and pieces that I can use to construct the forge. Thanks for the info, it's much appreciated.
February 1, 201610 yr Hey I live close by in Catonsville and have a bunch of stuff you can have for free message me.
February 4, 201610 yr Don't forget to check with your local auto mechanic. Coil springs, tie rods, ect. will work good for the punches and other tools you will want to make shortly.
February 4, 201610 yr Auto body shops replace bent steering components, and springs. Wrecking yards, machine and fab shops, rental yards for jackhammer bits etc, and the list goes on.
February 17, 201610 yr Im not terribly far from you NOVA area. Most "scrap yards" so far have said they dont sell to public. I guess i need to try some auto shops
February 17, 201610 yr There is a place in Hagerstown called Maryland Metals. New stock is 1/2 the cost of box stores in the area, They have new stock inside a warehouse in 20 foot lengths and will cut for a small fee. Outside the warehouse they have used. A lot of large pieces and the price is even less.
February 17, 201610 yr I usually go to Boulevard Sales , about half the price of buying from welding/fabrication shops because they are one of those places that the welding shops purchase their steel. It's close to you and they will cut for a fee. Boulevard Sales Corp Structural Steel Supplier 7205 Washington Blvd Elkridge, MD 21075 410-796-9370 M-F 7:30 – 4 Sat 7:30 - noon
February 17, 201610 yr 2 hours ago, David Einhorn said: I usually go to Boulevard Sales , about half the price of buying from welding/fabrication shops because they are one of those places that the welding shops purchase their steel. It's close to you and they will cut for a fee. Boulevard Sales Corp Structural Steel Supplier 7205 Washington Blvd Elkridge, MD 21075 410-796-9370 M-F 7:30 – 4 Sat 7:30 - noon Me too! Sadly, last time I went- about a month ago they were just closing the door for good. Literally just as I got there. So I'll be looking also.
February 19, 201610 yr Posners Industries in Frederick, off of English Muffin Way is my stop for new stock. Its not too expensive, and they have most of anything that I need. They will cut the 20' sections in half for free, no matter how much. I'm not too far from you, just up the road a bit.
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