What are you guys currently paying for sheet steel? I was quoted $46 for a 4x8 sheet of 18 gauge, is this good? average?
The price of steel shot through the roof around here in the last few years (northern California). I was told one of the reasons for the big increase was because of the new Bay Bridge they're building using up all the steel, and they can't keep up with the demand, but that might be B.S.
They are busy building the bridge and the tallest skys****ers yet in SF. High demand for steel these days.
Steel has gone up everywhere. China has been buying up imported steel from north america for some years now and the demand is getting greater...that way they can continue to make goods with our steel + less cost labor=nothings made here anymore. Buy american or canadian - this guy at the parts store must think Im a flake because I refuse to buy anything made in China or Taiwan-its junk, besides it belittles our domestic economy.
Just remember: You're always paying by the pound. 18 ga = 2#/sq. ft., 20 ga =1.5 #/sq.ft. The prices quoted here were $.79 /# for the 20ga and $.71 for the 18 ga. that sounds like a reasonable difference since steel pricing has always been roughly proportional to the amount of work invested in processing; it takes more work to make lighter gauges (20) than heavier (18).
A few months ago, on PBS, they had a "investigative report" on the business practices of Wallmart. During the course of the show the reporter interviewed the head of the Long Beach Cal. shipping port, who happens to be a gal. He asked: " what products are shipped into the port?" Without hesitation she replied "everything" He then asked:" what products are shipped out?" Without hesitation, she replied: "s****metal and raw materials."
You are absolutely right. Think about it in weight and transfer to pounds for dollars. I work for a mechanical contractor and we buy steel in bulk. Currently here in the midwest I can buy 18 gauge for around .42 a pound or less. I'm sure I can buy it for even less if it doesn't have to be lock forming quality or square. Here's a thougth for you, ever consider consolidating our efforts and buying a 5000# pallet of material?? Maybe like a cooperative or buying union???. Just throwing it out there for dialogue. What's your thoughts???
18 ga cold rolled up in this frozen wasteland is over $100 for a 4 x 8 and yet we just scored 19 ga Deep Draw Quality (DDQ) in 4 x 10 for $76 a sheet..... go figure.
$68 for 4x10 16ga down here near Houston, $1.16 ft for 1x1x1/8" square tubing. Delivered to my house.
When it works for the project, I buy structural steel from the "shorts rack" There are up to 10' lengths there. I also buy sheet metal "drops" which are the pieces left over when the warehouse custom cuts sheets for customers. Some are 4' by 3'. "Shorts" and "drops" are about half regular price.
for what it's worth I just used http://www.onlinemetals.com/ to buy a bunch of tube and sheet. With the minimum first order at the local metal store it was worth ordering online.
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