Do it Yourself And go broke.

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   This one is about the price of materials in small quantities for DIY projects.

Metal working:
I have noticed if I do almost any metal working project, I spend more in materials
than a similar weight finished item at the store. Sometimes you just have
to make a custom project. But please someone tell me where to get
steel and alum at industrial-like prices per pound.
Fab shops have their big suppliers and they get steel at $1 per pound, I get my "shafting" at a place like Home Depot and pay 8 times that. If you need different sizes, you pay shipping.
Net result is if there is a product at TSC, lets say a PTO-like shaft, it costs me much more to make that part. And I loose out right at the material prices. Been bugging me.

Building:
I know the price of lumber has gone crazy. But at least I feel like I am paying similar-like prices as the bigger builders. However when all is said, and done, with the lumber, nails, screws, paint, caulk ,and roofing and hardware, it adds up and up. A place like Tuff-Shed has better purchasing power.  This winter I build a deck box, 3'x5'x 32", with an over hanging hinged lid top. I built it like a small shed. T1-11 siding. Sit down, the materials were $580!. My labor is free. Yeah I went deluxe, PT lumber platform,  air struts on the lid, PVC trim, quality paint.  I was wanting to build some full size sheds and needed the practice. But all I learned is stuff is expensive, and now I don't want to do nothing.

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BrianC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 16 Jun 2011 Location: New York Points: 1619	Post Options Post Reply Quote BrianC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Do it Yourself And go broke. Posted: 15 Aug 2021 at 2:24pm
	This one is about the price of materials in small quantities for DIY projects. Metal working: I have noticed if I do almost any metal working project, I spend more in materials than a similar weight finished item at the store. Sometimes you just have to make a custom project. But please someone tell me where to get steel and alum at industrial-like prices per pound. Fab shops have their big suppliers and they get steel at $1 per pound, I get my "shafting" at a place like Home Depot and pay 8 times that. If you need different sizes, you pay shipping. Net result is if there is a product at TSC, lets say a PTO-like shaft, it costs me much more to make that part. And I loose out right at the material prices. Been bugging me. Building: I know the price of lumber has gone crazy. But at least I feel like I am paying similar-like prices as the bigger builders. However when all is said, and done, with the lumber, nails, screws, paint, caulk ,and roofing and hardware, it adds up and up. A place like Tuff-Shed has better purchasing power. This winter I build a deck box, 3'x5'x 32", with an over hanging hinged lid top. I built it like a small shed. T1-11 siding. Sit down, the materials were $580!. My labor is free. Yeah I went deluxe, PT lumber platform, air struts on the lid, PVC trim, quality paint. I was wanting to build some full size sheds and needed the practice. But all I learned is stuff is expensive, and now I don't want to do nothing.

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plummerscarin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 22 Jun 2015 Location: ia Points: 3914	Post Options Post Reply Quote plummerscarin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Aug 2021 at 2:59pm
	Look around and see if there is a metal supply shop.in your area. Here there is a supplier that also is the scrap metal buyer. But not sure if $200 is a good price for ¼x2'x4' steel plate.

jaybmiller Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Greensville,Ont Points: 24691	Post Options Post Reply Quote jaybmiller Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Aug 2021 at 3:42pm
	for metal... make friends with a local steel fab shop, barter if you can what you can do for them ..for steel. I've been 'dumpster diving' at neighbours shop for past 15 years, built several trailers and 'projects' using free steel. Just WHAt I can make out of 50 pcs of 7bgy7 by5" thickwalled stubing cutoffs is bugging me......dang things are 150# EACH, seems a shame to scrap them..... lumber..... see who'se buildig a house, ask for the 'scraps'...it's easier for them to give it away than to burn or haul it away. Always introduce yourself, ask nice, never hurts to try !!!
	3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water

DMiller Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: Hermann, Mo Points: 33967	Post Options Post Reply Quote DMiller Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Aug 2021 at 5:51pm
	I agree Jay, catching a few 'Drops' they are not certain will do anything but be recycled has been a boon for me. Goes for all forms of steel and aluminum.

jaybmiller Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Greensville,Ont Points: 24691	Post Options Post Reply Quote jaybmiller Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Aug 2021 at 6:23pm
	crazy thing I saw a 60+' boom ,off a 'zoomboom' rig, the the scrapyard, I could get for $100 though WHAT I could USE it for since I sold next door ??? I thought 'flagpole' but ain't too proud what the red maple leaf stands for these dayze....
	3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water

DiyDave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Gambrills, MD Points: 54118	Post Options Post Reply Quote DiyDave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Aug 2021 at 6:28pm
	In addition to what others have said, try Surpluscenter.com, for drive shafts, and MsMaster-Carr for hardware, at least they get it to you quick... Also for v-belts, try the v-belt guys, on line, prices are cheapest there, and the belts are of pretty good quality...
	Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need!

Ray54 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 22 Nov 2009 Location: Paso Robles, Ca Points: 4732	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ray54 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Aug 2021 at 6:54pm
	I don't go to the big box stores much but never saw any real steel. Most have a rack of 1/8 flats, and angle iron in short pieces at supper high prices. Several welding shops will sell steel here. Helps to know somebody and they let you hunt in there scrape pile. Another one sells weld on hinges, D rings, and stake pockets a lot of heavy hardware. Has pile of cut offs from 6 inches to 10 foot long depending what they have been working on, somewhere between scrape and new. If you want or can use most of a 20 foot stick the stores that sell welding machines and gases here all sell steel as well. Not many years ago they would give you one cut for free, then you could put a 20 footer in a short bed truck. But me I am a hoarder, see steel pick it up and bring it home. Look for 2 hours for something I can "make work". Then go buy what I had in my head the first thing. another 2 hours of time spent on a hour job.

Coke-in-MN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Afton MN Points: 41980	Post Options Post Reply Quote Coke-in-MN Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Aug 2021 at 9:30pm
	Son buys his steel from supplier and they made him a offer to run all his purchases under a Utility companies price list - so he gets a reduced price over may buyers . So far this year his cost has jumped about 25% this year - then he was just informed in Sept to expect a 20% increase in steel prices and it looks like another 10% in November . He just ordered $18,000 worth of steel at old price , had 40 plow skins (rolled steel plate) cut and rolled for another part of inventory about $10,000 invested . Also had backing ribs for plows laser cut from another flat plate 3/8" .. So expect some big jumps in things you buy or stock you need - as steel prices are going out of site . 2 1/2 " box tube has doubled in price from last year - flat steel mill finish is about 40% higher
	Life lesson: If you’re being chased by a lion, you’re on a horse, to the left of you is a giraffe and on the right is a unicorn, what do you do? You stop drinking and get off the carousel.

Ken(MI) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: Lansing, MI Points: 619	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ken(MI) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Aug 2021 at 7:48am
	No real deals on material unless you are a bigger buyer (100+ tons monthly) or you can deal on open account and pay your bills in ten days, and it's getting worse as the small regional metal suppliers are getting gobbled up by the big corporations, in Michigan, Alro Steel has bought most of the locals and pretty much have eliminated a lot of the competition. The only good thing about them is the fact that they have retail outlets where the prices are more reasonable, as a small shop owner I use that service frequently as it helps keep us competitive on small jobs. Availability is a huge issue at the moment, especially for alloys and tubing. It's been a mess for the last four years and there really is no end in sight. I have a feeling that we will never see dollar a pound steel ever again. Twenty years ago I was saying that we would never see steel at 40 cents a pound.

DMiller Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: Hermann, Mo Points: 33967	Post Options Post Reply Quote DMiller Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 2021 at 4:45am
	I deal with a Welding/Fab shop that is also the closest metals sales shop. They prefer Large Volume orders but do make small orders reasonable where when I buy I have generally bought in bundle loads of full length stock. They also deal in aluminum and stainless as well have a water jet cutter, conventional sheer and break service or plasma table cutting ability. The prices are shooting up, last bid I requested was a eye opener as they were out of stocked material and in having to order would be at the next price value which is 25% greater now.

shameless dude Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 Apr 2017 Location: east NE Points: 13607	Post Options Post Reply Quote shameless dude Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 2021 at 11:22pm
	i too have noticed this thru the years....but...i look at it this way...it's knowing or finding out if i could do things myself, and do take pride along with the learning experience of doing it myself. that's why i have had so many type mini jobs all my life off from my regular full time jobs in law enforcement and farming. i learned a great deal doing different things, most worked out, some didn't...but at least i learned something from any of them.