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Good steel suppliers in Chicago

My last visit to a steel supplier that I had some luck with, previously, has not been great, as they were busy, not willing to give good prices on anything and just acted like they did not want little guys buying a few pieces of this and that. Which is surely their right, even though I did buy a new 20" long square tubing. The deal on a 3/16" piece I got for a bigger welding table is nothing to brag about. So... Is there a place in Chicago or in West suburbs that is a little bit more willing to do little orders or sell scrap pieces for not too much.

i
Reply to
Ignoramus3520
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Buy full sticks (24') of material, if necessary they will cut in half so you can transport easily. Prices are a lot better by the stick and you will invariably find a use for the rest of the stock some weekend evening when no suppliers are open. I regularly buy a couple sticks each of 1/2", 3/4" and 1" square tube so I always have it on hand for quick projects. If they have some small scraps of heavy structural steel you can get for free take a few. My supplier gave me about a 3' piece of 4" x 6" x 1/2" angle which has now provided quite a few chunks for various projects.

Pete C.

Reply to
Pete C.

Reply to
RoyJ

Pete, I think that I was mistaken and that I have the full stick (cut in two halves).

i
Reply to
Ignoramus3520

OK, thanks, at least they exist out there. Thanks Roy.

i

Reply to
Ignoramus3520

Mill lengths of material are commonly 20' (small stuff like 2-1/2" angle), 24' (medium) and 40' (larger). If you buy a full truck (44,000 pounds) you can specifiy any length you want. So the difference between

20' and 24' tends to be more local practice than > >
Reply to
RoyJ

I've been looking for such a supplier in the NW burbs. No luck though. Metal Express is great for small pieces, but their prices for full lengths aren't so good.

Reply to
AL

Cut em into 4 pieces. Its far easier if you are space challenged like Iggy, to stand the rems up in a corner. Or thirds if you have enough space.

Gunner

Rule #35 "That which does not kill you, has made a huge tactical error"

Reply to
Gunner

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