I ran across a place that sells metal and other tools.

Just wanted to share with you guys... I was told the prices were pretty good. I haven't done any comparing yet.

http://www.amazonsupply.com/

I have been a fan of amazon and just found this. They show a lot of tools. In the search I put in steel stock and came up with a lot of different material.

Would be nicer if they had a link for steel and could narrow it down. If you just go to steel or aluminum on the links on the left it only shows tools made with that kind of metal.

I know around here it is hard to find a local steel supplier... Maybe this can help someone...

I know steel is expensive to ship. Let me know if it sounds like a good deal.

Well the link I was sent, had me a little goofed up. The link I posted above is the front page and it is pretty easy to look up metals. Just look up the type of metal and then size.

If the only option, but it is expensive.

Amazon, the regular amazon, has some free shipping thing "Prime" for $79 a year. You might want to see if you can use that on the steel purchases. From the amazonsupply page/link, though it says free shipping over $50 (2 days) and $100 (next day). But I would read the details link on the shipping first.

It does look like it's on the expensive side. Free second day shipping when your order is over $50, but you might get to $50 faster than you think! I started a little price comparison exercise versus onlinemetals.com (only because they were the first to come to mind) and the Amazon price for 1.25 x 1.25 x .125 angle was more than twice the price at onlinemetals. Then I looked for square steel tube and couldn't find it at all- even though the search function on their website suggested it when I started to type.

So as usual, caveat emptor. The free shipping thing may work out for you, depending on the purchase.

I've often thought a sticky post featuring online sites where members have had good success would be a good idea for the forum. Any traction to that idea?

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Originally Posted by DaveO

I've often thought a sticky post featuring online sites where members have had good success would be a good idea for the forum. Any traction to that idea?

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Maybe a "these guys are great and these guys are not forum"? Probably two separate ones not to mix the good and bad. I would post how great Welder Services Inc, is. And 5 years ago I would have posted how Prax was the pits. Prax is OK by me now.

I know my son is really mad about some headlights from a place on ebay (Beyond Revolution, Inc. seller was like epartsgogo). Lens blew of driver side they sent a new one, passenger side blew off 2 months later. Sorry over 30 days you have to buy a new set ($100 for a blackuout you 4x4 front light kit).

At 16 and no job, he will have to drive with no lens on the corner/marker for now. But I think he learned something from it. At least he knows there are good companies selling China parts (like us that back the product) and there are junk dealers too. Like those guys.

I just ordered some gears for my plasma table and Amazon Prime does work.

The price of metal is way up... And shipping is getting pretty high. Combine the 2 and this is and expensive business or hobby. I nice forum or sticky over suppliers would be good. I just seen though a few posts about online metals. I saved the link so I can do some comparing later.

Most of the suppliers in my area are heavy industrial. They don't even let the little guy in.

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Originally Posted by Brian Ski

The price of metal is way up... And shipping is getting pretty high. Combine the 2 and this is and expensive business or hobby. I nice forum or sticky over suppliers would be good. I just seen though a few posts about online metals. I saved the link so I can do some comparing later.

Most of the suppliers in my area are heavy industrial. They don't even let the little guy in.

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I always just assumed that shipping would be out of the question for anything less than a full business-sized transaction, it's not like they can just UPS a couple sticks of 1-1/2 tubing.

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Originally Posted by redbeard

it's not like they can just UPS a couple sticks of 1-1/2 tubing.

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Probably not a 20 foot length, you're right. But a shorter stick, maybe- once I ordered a muffler online and a couple days later it arrived at the house: a muffler with a shipping label. No box or packaging of any type. No dents, bends, or gouges either, luckily.

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Originally Posted by redbeard

I always just assumed that shipping would be out of the question for anything less than a full business-sized transaction, it's not like they can just UPS a couple sticks of 1-1/2 tubing.

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Same here! And let alone get it for free with prime, that is sort of cool The selection was a little limited too. Like 3/4"#9 expanded I think was 4'x4' max. I need 5x10 all the time.

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Originally Posted by DaveO

Probably not a 20 foot length, you're right. But a shorter stick, maybe- once I ordered a muffler online and a couple days later it arrived at the house: a muffler with a shipping label. No box or packaging of any type. No dents, bends, or gouges either, luckily.

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Just checked and the max length is 108", more than I expected, but still a foot short.

That muffler must have been an amusing sight, but it sure would take the fun out of guessing for the UPS people. :D

I am sorta lucky we have two metal suppliers local and there always competing for best price , nice to if you buy more than 500 dollars you get free delivery plus my shop is located rite next to a scrap metal yard so get good deals on used metal

I am lucky like Rod.

I have a good friend that owns an Iron Works shop, A1 steel is 2 miles away (open Saturday until noon is a plus) and a scrap yard less than a mile away and Eric the owner is cool if I want to drop by and look through things (and weld something for him ;) ).

I am always hunting for good aluminum at the scrap yard since is so expensive to buy new

I get lucky on aluminum. My youngest son is 16 and does scrap metal hunting (as well as welding). He finds it all the time and I nab it from him. He finds 1/16-1/4" all the time. This week was 1/8" 3'x5' box and lid.

thats cool wish my son was into mechanics and stuff but he is into those stupid video games lol came across a cool projectAttachment 6165 a guy made a aluminum welding peddle

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Originally Posted by everlastsupport

I get lucky on aluminum. My youngest son is 16 and does scrap metal hunting (as well as welding). He finds it all the time and I nab it from him. He finds 1/16-1/4" all the time. This week was 1/8" 3'x5' box and lid.

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My youngest is 15 and I am trying to get him to learn about TIG welding... Likes to hang out in the garage but hasn't cared much about welding.

Not many scrap metal yards around here... A few metal recycling yards but they don't go for people wanting to buy... Maybe next time around will have to be friendly and ask around. A lot of auto scrap yards...

There are some places that sell small new steel... Like tractor supply and Lowes... But their prices are very expensive.

auto scrap yard get metal check them out , check out thrift stores i get a lot of old metal bed frames from them good for lite projects , even your local dumps get lots of metal scrap

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

auto scrap yard get metal check them out

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Not these... They do get some in... But not very much... At least local their is only one that will let you into the yard. Take that back 2 but the second one charges to have you look around and they don't do scrap metal... Unless it is tossed in a car.

I guess around here the hoodlums tend to scrap anything that is not bolted down... They had problems this spring with vandals taking the big brass sprinkler check valves that at the bigger businesses... The took them from several mcdonalds and several hotels.

Just be aware the bed rails are normally cold steel. Works fine for most projects.

works good for battery box's and little stuff with light stress , hey mike a talked to way back wasn't you working on some 4x4 project . you was helping me with a problem on my 250 ex when we talked

Attachment 6167 oh really makes you want to buy a miller welder not lol , have to be a lawyer to understand the warranty lol

Hey mike if you have a 60c plasma can you make it a pilot arc with a s45 torch . instead hf

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

Hey mike if you have a 60c plasma can you make it a pilot arc with a s45 torch . instead hf

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I am going to add a AG60 or 80 to it soon. The S45 will not work right, it's a blowback style. Not sure if there is a A45. I like the A81, but the consumables a pricey and hard to find.

When we talked it was probably a jeep that hopefully got 1th place at Moroso yesterday. (racepbir.com) Have not talked to my son yet.

Mike you can get the consumables cheap from GuangZhou, China 10 electrodes for around 25 bucks for the a81.. i get mine from 3shop-river on ebay for my s45 Item number: 170714156863 on ebay http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_saca...81+A81+A80+P80

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

Mike you can get the consumables cheap from GuangZhou, China 10 electrodes for around 25 bucks for the a81.. i get mine from 3shop-river on ebay for my s45 Item number: 170714156863 on ebay http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_saca...81+A81+A80+P80

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Yea, I buy from here a bit. But no retaining cups ($15+ from trafimet) and swirl rings. Like to have a couple spare. I just need to get Welder Services Inc to order them. Been lazy. Duncan has them in Canada. Ray is getting some in soon.

never could figure out why the little round swirl ring inside the head is so expensive lol

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

never could figure out why the little round swirl ring inside the head is so expensive lol

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I know. Trafimet is sort of a pain and pricey. They work well though. I recall a couple years ago when we went to the S45, all the calls, I changed my consumables and the unit will not cut. People were throwing out the swirl ring. Had guys digging in the trash, one guy was in the yard in grass.

Someone here on the forum mentioned trying a conical cup. Have not heard back as to it working well or not.

wouldn't be hard to make if you knew what it was made of