Can you say........."Kid in a candy store...." ?????

[Runs With Scissors]

So my "scrap pile" has been dwindling recently and I need to restock my "stash".

Well I decide to head to my one of my local metal recyclers and grab some "mystery metal" scraps to put on the shelf for some upcoming projects.

I head off to the bank because they only take cash, and grab a "few hundred" bucks.....(In small bills of course, because they "magically" never have change)

Well much to my dismay, they tell me that they don't "sell" anymore.....They only buy.

I was a little "flabbergasted" and somewhat/a little "pissed off" .......

So take my sorry ass back home and jump on the Inter-Web. There is a place called Speedy Metals that is local to me and I have used them before.

I started making my order and not long after, I was like "Holy Sh!t"......a single piece of A-36 Hot rolled steel (12"x 2.5" x 3.5") was $150 US-American-Dollars +Tax !!!!!!!!!! And on top of that there is a 1-3 day "waiting period"......and you have to pay by check (no cash accepted) or pay a 3% "up-charge" for using a CC.

I'm feeling a bit "dejected/mad/shocked/confused" and just walked away from the computer, because up until now, I was "spoiled" by having access to "cheap metal" scraps........

Then I remembered that my SIL said something about a place that his "machinist friend" uses, called Alro metals or something like that.......Hmmmmmmmm???????

I looked them up and sure enough they have a "retail" outlet that sells to "Joe Schmuck-A-tellys" like myself, and claimed to "cut to order, while you wait".......

Well I guess if I am going to "take it in the keister" , I may as well take it "while I wait" , instead of waited 3 days to take it.

So I take a "road trip" (only 19 miles) and when I walk through the door, it's like the "Gates of Heaven" opened up in front of me......There is "metal for miles", all neatly stacked and organized.........and all different flavors to boot.

Then this "metal angel" ask's me if I have ever been here before and of course I say "No sir, I'm a cherry boy"

Although I do not believe he has ever heard the term "cherry boy" , he commences to explain how it all works.......

The "long and short" of it is that they have these things called "remnant sections" where they sell the "scraps" by the pound. and it's WAY cheaper than "new metal" (although they do have a "premium section" as well)

Just racks, and racks, and racks of "usable to me" material.

It was like walking around "Santa's workshop" and picking any toys you wanted.........and they even had "shopping carts" and no "up-charge" for using a CC..........

I spent 2 hours loading up that cart, in 90 degree heat, but coincidently I still had a "smile on my sweaty face", from "ear to ear".

Well 220 Lbs later here is the result

Here is a pic of some of it on my "shopping cart"

Although it's not as cheap as the old metal recycler was, it sure "beats the pants" off "new" prices.

I am still unsure of how the Mrs. feels about this........On one hand she says "nice", but then questions why I "had to buy so much, instead of just getting what you need at the time?"


I tried to use the age old "It's like buying ammo..." analogy, ..........but I think it was lost on her ........


Happy Tuesday!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NCL4701]

I am still unsure of how the Mrs. feel about this........On one hand she says "nice", but then questions why I "had to buy so much, instead of just getting what you need at the time?"


I tried to use the age old "It's like buying ammo..." analogy, ..........but I think it was lost on her........


Happy Tuesday!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe try the old, “It’s like buying shoes…” analogy. You only got two feet, but…

 

[trikepilot]

Hmmm... I have an Alro here in town. I might need to do a recon mission.

 

[Dustball]

Hmmm... I have an Alro here in town. I might need to do a recon mission.

Not every Alro has a retail store.
Here are the outlet locations- https://www.alro.com/locations/locationsmain.aspx?Loc=Alro Metals Plus

 

[trikepilot]

Doh!!! No outlet here

 

[GeoHorn]

I’m gonna STOP taking my “drops” to the scrap yard !!

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

20 or more years ago, I found a place that sold scrap metal by the pound.

I was big into welding at the time.

It was a metal-disneyland. I was in heaven.

That period of my life is over as I now have a tree farm in a place 2,000 miles from that time and place in my life. Anyway....

But, what I found back then is that networking and being friendly with like minded people opens doors to secret places that most cannot find. Lots of these scraper places have a few very big dogs and an owner with few teeth left and probably has a drinking habit. And no website or even internet. He usually speaks with a slur but "I got som-o- that out back". And you get scrap metal for cheap.

Maybe work on networking.

But carry if you can legally when you go. At least the first time... until you get a feel for the place.

 

[Sidekick]

Last time I bought drops at Kline outlet they were 60 cents a pound for steel and $1 a pound for aluminum . Glad I stocked up over 20 years ago.

 

[MOOTS]

I placed an order a few days ago with speedy metals. Needed some 7” OD DOM to hopefully fabricate new spindle guards for our ventrac.

I usually shop online metals, since there is a hub 20 minutes or so from me. But, they don’t carry anything that big.

 

[RCW]

It's been several years, but I used to get drops at a place 25 miles away.

Was pretty cheap.

Bet that's changed.....

 

[Splinters and Sparks]

I remember the days of "trading" scrap. Roll across the scales with your truckload going in and get directed to the drop off pile. Empty the truck and find a few useful items from others to toss back in, and back to the scales to be paid the difference. Those days are loooong gone here!

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

So my "scrap pile" has been dwindling recently and I need to restock my "stash".

Well I decide to head to my one of my local metal recyclers and grab some "mystery metal" scraps to put on the shelf for some upcoming projects.

I head off to the bank because they only take cash, and grab a "few hundred" bucks.....(In small bills of course, because they "magically" never have change)

Well much to my dismay, they tell me that they don't "sell" anymore.....They only buy.

I was a little "flabbergasted" and somewhat/a little "pissed off" .......

So take my sorry ass back home and jump on the Inter-Web. There is a place called Speedy Metals that is local to me and I have used them before.

I started making my order and not long after, I was like "Holy Sh!t"......a single piece of A-36 Hot rolled steel (12"x 2.5" x 3.5") was $150 US-American-Dollars +Tax !!!!!!!!!! And on top of that there is a 1-3 day "waiting period"......and you have to pay by check (no cash accepted) or pay a 3% "up-charge" for using a CC.

I'm feeling a bit "dejected/mad/shocked/confused" and just walked away from the computer, because up until now, I was "spoiled" by having access to "cheap metal" scraps........

Then I remembered that my SIL said something about a place that his "machinist friend" uses, called Alro metals or something like that.......Hmmmmmmmm???????

I looked them up and sure enough they have a "retail" outlet that sells to "Joe Schmuck-A-tellys" like myself, and claimed to "cut to order, while you wait".......

Well I guess if I am going to "take it in the keister" , I may as well take it "while I wait" , instead of waited 3 days to take it.

So I take a "road trip" (only 19 miles) and when I walk through the door, it's like the "Gates of Heaven" opened up in front of me......There is "metal for miles", all neatly stacked and organized.........and all different flavors to boot.

Then this "metal angel" ask's me if I have ever been here before and of course I say "No sir, I'm a cherry boy"

Although I do not believe he has ever heard the term "cherry boy" , he commences to explain how it all works.......

The "long and short" of it is that they have these things called "remnant sections" where they sell the "scraps" by the pound. and it's WAY cheaper than "new metal" (although they do have a "premium section" as well)

Just racks, and racks, and racks of "usable to me" material.

It was like walking around "Santa's workshop" and picking any toys you wanted.........and they even had "shopping carts" and no "up-charge" for using a CC..........

I spent 2 hours loading up that cart, in 90 degree heat, but coincidently I still had a "smile on my sweaty face", from "ear to ear".

Well 220 Lbs later here is the result

View attachment 160448


Here is a pic of some of it on my "shopping cart"


View attachment 160449


Although it's not as cheap as the old metal recycler was, it sure "beats the pants" off "new" prices.


View attachment 160450




I am still unsure of how the Mrs. feels about this........On one hand she says "nice", but then questions why I "had to buy so much, instead of just getting what you need at the time?"


I tried to use the age old "It's like buying ammo..." analogy, ..........but I think it was lost on her ........


Happy Tuesday!!!!!!!!!!

Inquiring minds are curious on the calibers of the dies on the shelf. (Picture is fuzzy)

also not sure this is close enough to you or not, but this place in is Indiana and you can find some good deals if willing to search the listings(assuming something you have use for). I thought if you have anything that did not sink maybe you need some doorbells at 100yd increments for your range.

Discount Inventory - Ellwood Specialty Metals - Canada

All pieces on this site are subject to a tolerance of +/-.125. • Availability subject to prior sale. • Minimum order is C$75. • Discounts ExELL™ P20M and ExELL™ Holder – Deduct 5% for order quantities greater than 1 and combined weights greater than 20,000lbs. – ESS Warranty for P20M and Holder...

esm.elwd.com

if of no use, file appropriately.

 

[dlsmith]

There used to be a place a few miles away that sold seconds, end of runs and surplus steel. I bought a lot of tubing, sheet and bar stock from them over the years. Then, a couple of years ago they suddenly closed up and were gone. The message on the answering machine said a company in a town 30 miles from here took their inventory and was selling the same types of material. Drove over there and couldn't find them, and no one in town ever heard of them.
Now I buy from another local steel dealer that I used to haul steel for, not as cheap, but they carry anything I have needed.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Last time I bought drops at Kline outlet they were 60 cents a pound for steel and $1 a pound for aluminum . Glad I stocked up over 20 years ago.

Yes sir, that was a long time ago for sure.

The prices I posted were after he gave me a "bulk discount" too.

Add 50 cents per pound to each price listed, and add $1 to the "red metals" line (per pound,) those are the actual "posted prices" in the store.

I think they had a good time watching a "grown man", acting like the "kid in a candy store"........

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I remember the days of "trading" scrap. Roll across the scales with your truckload going in and get directed to the drop off pile. Empty the truck and find a few useful items from others to toss back in, and back to the scales to be paid the difference. Those days are loooong gone here!

Yep.

I used to just walk in and start putting stuff in a pile, they would weight it, I would go to the window and pay, she would then inform me that they had "no change" (again ) , I would then just say "keep it", then load it and go..........

My my welding/work tables, and grinder bases were/are made from "scrap metal" I bought there. Hell, I'll bet I don"t have but 50-75 bucks total into those tables and bases.........

Not so much now.........

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Inquiring minds are curious on the calibers of the dies on the shelf. (Picture is fuzzy)

also not sure this is close enough to you or not, but this place in is Indiana and you can find some good deals if willing to search the listings(assuming something you have use for). I thought if you have anything that did not sink maybe you need some doorbells at 100yd increments for your range.

Discount Inventory - Ellwood Specialty Metals - Canada

All pieces on this site are subject to a tolerance of +/-.125. • Availability subject to prior sale. • Minimum order is C$75. • Discounts ExELL™ P20M and ExELL™ Holder – Deduct 5% for order quantities greater than 1 and combined weights greater than 20,000lbs. – ESS Warranty for P20M and Holder...

esm.elwd.com

if of no use, file appropriately.

I have 3 (or 4 ?) sets of .223 from my "High power competition" days, 7 Mag, 30-30, .308, 22-250, 450 bushmaster, then the "obligatory pistol calibers" like 45, 357, 9mm, 40....one of those is a "bullet puller" too.

Of course they were all for loading ....."Pre-Tragic boating accident".....

 

[Hoserman]

I know you are in the Petosky area and if push comes to shove there is a place in Gaylord called Gaylord Machine and fabrication that sells both uncut steel and drops. Gaylord machine and fabrication - Search I called A&L iron and metal in Gaylord and they only sell to large companies. Good luck bud.

 

[Yooper]

Another plus with Alro is they handle just about any kind of metal. That brass you got is a nice score!