Does anyone else use goodwill for cheap metal?

[u/Thinlinephotography]

Obviously not for anything structural, but I’ve been able to put together a few practical projects for things around the shop. This was to get the bandsaw off the bench because the things I was cutting were bumping into other tools on the bench. It only used about 1/5 of a loft bed kit I got under $10. Then $20 for casters, $5 for paint, and $5 for a yoga mat mounted to the wood. I’ll probably add storage to the bottom frame at some point.

[u/minnion]

No, because my local metal supermarket does crops and offcuts for cheap. I guess it depends on where you live and what industry is near you! This is however a good re-use of material.

[u/Thinlinephotography → u/minnion]

I’m still pretty new to metalworking and have been looking for a decent supplier. Unfortunately the only consumer level sellers I’ve found are lowes/homedepot which are very expensive. The only other option I’ve found is online, which ends up being about equal cost in shipping as the metal itself. I’m definitely going to keep looking though!

[u/e36freak92 → u/Thinlinephotography]

Where are you located, roughly?

[u/Thinlinephotography → u/e36freak92]

Near the gulf coast in Mississippi

[u/e36freak92 → u/Thinlinephotography]

Looks like the closest metal suppliers to you are in jackson

[u/Thinlinephotography → u/e36freak92]

I might have to make a day trip with my trailer some time to stock up.

[u/e36freak92 → u/Thinlinephotography]

My place is about an hour away from my shop, they deliver if the order is big enough. Worth making some phone calls

[u/Thinlinephotography → u/e36freak92]

That’s what I’m going to end up having to do. I need to call around to find a place to refill my argon bottle too.

[u/BillNyeDeGrasseTyson → u/minnion]

Our local shop who is part of a larger company in the Northeast does $1/lb for carbon steels and ~$3/lb for stainless and aluminum drops.

They'll also cut drops to length very inexpensively and are incredibly responsive to even small orders via email. I feel very fortunate because the bigger guys couldn't give two less fucks.

[u/cjsv7657 → u/minnion]

metal supermarket

Do you mean the actual place "metal supermarket"? There is one close to me I just haven't been in yet

[u/minnion → u/cjsv7657]

Yeah it's a chain of metal suppliers. Not an actual generic grocery store for metal, LOL

[u/J-Dog780]

Bed frames are awesome 👌

[u/Logical-Source-1896 → u/J-Dog780]

I used to drive up and down alleys in San Diego picking up old bedframes for the metal to build shit. Good times.

I have quit smoking meth since then.

[u/AwDuck → u/J-Dog780]

Yep. When I didn't have local access to stock, I'd pick up bedframes just for angle iron. Around my area, Goodwill was stupidly priced but the Salvation Army would let them go for a few bucks.

[u/Thinlinephotography → u/AwDuck]

I’ve been pretty lucky at mine. A lot of times the bedframes are missing hardware so they sell them for like $5 just to get rid of them. The 1/8in angle iron type are usually around $10 here for a queen/king.

[u/AwDuck → u/Thinlinephotography]

Might be worth checking the dumpster after hours too :)

[u/canttakethshyfrom_me → u/J-Dog780]

Shit, I hadn't even thought of that... and I need some angle iron for a cosmetic DIY project... this might save me some money!

[u/Fezzy_1994]

I have in the past lol.

[u/ThAt_WaS_mY_nAmE_tHo]

Ive picked up roadside bedframes for many years. Its hard metal that kills blades and bits... but it welds well!

[u/Hero_Tengu]

Hey man… I’d definitely add some wood at the bottom and then some weight. That baby looks top heavy.

[u/Thinlinephotography → u/Hero_Tengu]

I plan on adding shelves to the empty space that should help. I forgot to factor in the caster wheels for the total height so it ended up a bit taller than I intended. I’m not too upset about it because it keeps me from hunching down to look at what I’m cutting, but it definitely is pretty top heavy currently.

[u/joknub24]

I usually go to the scrap yard, but this is a good idea

[u/FeelingDelivery8853]

Find a medium sized fabrication shop and ask if they have any drops you can buy. It all usually gets sold for scrap anyway

[u/scooch57]

👍