Ok, I'm sick of standing around waiting to not get served at Steel and Tube, going to endless engineering shops and salvage yards looking for particular sizes of pipe/box and generally paying retail + 50% to finally buy what I want in the lengths I want it...
Is anyone on here in the employ of a steel company (S&T or Vulcan?) or know someone who is, or can anyone recommend a place to buy steel at reasonable prices... projects are being put on hold because I can't afford the basic necessities of life... like 50mm ID 6mm wall for big-ass beefy trailing arms and stuff...
I use Rangiora Engineering for most of the odd bits at the moment, and they are good to deal with because you can buy any length you need - but they are a long way to go from Rolleston and pricey...
Any pointers appreciated
Where to buy steel in Chch
Used Stewart Steel for bits before... but their range is limited to the main sizes... and it seems they don't carry pipe (or just couldn't be bothered selling it to me when I went in there the other day)...
East Coast is somewhere I might give a go - but I'm hoping to find somewhere for trade sales considering how much I go through...
Maybe a few of us could form a buying group... I understand Vulcan Steel? might be a possible trade source?
Steve
East Coast is somewhere I might give a go - but I'm hoping to find somewhere for trade sales considering how much I go through...
Maybe a few of us could form a buying group... I understand Vulcan Steel? might be a possible trade source?
Steve
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truck-fixer
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truck-fixer
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I think the best idea for a buying group would be for me to open a steel account with a supplier but keep the account as cash-only and allow people to use it... that way the quantities would be more than I would just normally use keeping the price down.
Just a thought - I haven't followed it through fully in my head yet - might be better to just have me do the ordering (or me and Rik) to keep an eye on whats going through...
The upshot is that it should be good for everyone - and cheaper than other channels. The downside is that I would think we would have to buy full lengths of whatever you need (which is around 6m in pipe/tube and around 8m in box from memory) - which is where the 'group' could come in handy... if you need 2m of 50mm x 3mm RHS then you could email the group and ask if anyone else needed any...
Then again, maybe its all too hard and I can just buy what I need as I need it...
Thoughts?
Steve
Steve
Just a thought - I haven't followed it through fully in my head yet - might be better to just have me do the ordering (or me and Rik) to keep an eye on whats going through...
The upshot is that it should be good for everyone - and cheaper than other channels. The downside is that I would think we would have to buy full lengths of whatever you need (which is around 6m in pipe/tube and around 8m in box from memory) - which is where the 'group' could come in handy... if you need 2m of 50mm x 3mm RHS then you could email the group and ask if anyone else needed any...
Then again, maybe its all too hard and I can just buy what I need as I need it...
Thoughts?
Steve
Steve
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niblik
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i think a controlled, by yourself and the crazy standard lux driving pom, account would be a good idea steve..
cash only would be a safe way of doing business too..
just depends on your availability to recieve and forward 'orders'.. being two of you may make life that bit easier.. also carting of the afore mentioned 8m's of box section may be a tad much for some, cut it down? big arse trailer?
either way, thats the least of ya worries, cheap metal = good stuff!!!
p.s... this post means i'm in.....
cash only would be a safe way of doing business too..
just depends on your availability to recieve and forward 'orders'.. being two of you may make life that bit easier.. also carting of the afore mentioned 8m's of box section may be a tad much for some, cut it down? big arse trailer?
either way, thats the least of ya worries, cheap metal = good stuff!!!
p.s... this post means i'm in.....
I'm not interested in collecting and delivering peoples orders 
If you needed steel you'd either have to come get bits from me or Rik if we had it available (assuming here that Rik will be in on this...) or you would need to just get full lengths from the supplier - and take a hacksaw if you don't have a big trailer...
Steve
If you needed steel you'd either have to come get bits from me or Rik if we had it available (assuming here that Rik will be in on this...) or you would need to just get full lengths from the supplier - and take a hacksaw if you don't have a big trailer...
Steve
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niblik
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as for collecting orders, thats not what i was meaning, and definitely not what i'd be expecting... was just wonderin how the cash sale / ordering / pick ups would work..
would you make the phone calls steve? and the persons buying just go in and pick it up?
so where ya thinkin of a possible 'account' being held?
would you make the phone calls steve? and the persons buying just go in and pick it up?
so where ya thinkin of a possible 'account' being held?
I could of helped out on this one a while ago. Had a mate who worked in sales at S&T and he offered for me to get any steel at trade rates through him. I was going to get some but didn't get round to it and now he doesn't work there any more - selling insurance or something now.
That was only full lengths but he did say something about letting them know in advance and it could be cut in half ready for pickup.
We normally get bits from Rangiora Engineering too. Two reasons, I'm out Rangiora way and my uncle works there
That was only full lengths but he did say something about letting them know in advance and it could be cut in half ready for pickup.
We normally get bits from Rangiora Engineering too. Two reasons, I'm out Rangiora way and my uncle works there
Sold my 1985, BJ74 MWB Landcruiser, rear locker, 33" MTs, snorkel, PTO winch, solid bars all round, spotties, AM CB etc.
Now just a 1994, 1kz Surf, pretty standard.
Now just a 1994, 1kz Surf, pretty standard.
The account system is easy as guys.
Just open the account with a name like ORE engineering (or something), and make it a "cash sale only" trade account, that must have order numbers. You then just go in when ever you like, buy what you want, use your user name as a goods order number, and pay for it using cash, cheque or visa.
The account details will be sent to the nominated address, and they will be able to see how much material is being used, (and by whom). The upside here is that the negeotion of discount can be on going as the usage grows. 15-30% off trade, is not unheard of, if the numbers are good.
No one person has any financial liability for the account at all as it is not a credit account.
I already do this exact system with a mate of mine who has an engineering business.
Just one sugestion, if you go with a bigger firm, there is a better chance of getting some discount structure, and they may stock other material and tools that you will also be able to get discounted.
Good idea Steve, crank into it.
Just open the account with a name like ORE engineering (or something), and make it a "cash sale only" trade account, that must have order numbers. You then just go in when ever you like, buy what you want, use your user name as a goods order number, and pay for it using cash, cheque or visa.
The account details will be sent to the nominated address, and they will be able to see how much material is being used, (and by whom). The upside here is that the negeotion of discount can be on going as the usage grows. 15-30% off trade, is not unheard of, if the numbers are good.
No one person has any financial liability for the account at all as it is not a credit account.
I already do this exact system with a mate of mine who has an engineering business.
Just one sugestion, if you go with a bigger firm, there is a better chance of getting some discount structure, and they may stock other material and tools that you will also be able to get discounted.
Good idea Steve, crank into it.
Ugly is a state of mind..... and the state of my truck!
I have been gifted a small pile of "offcuts" 
from 10mm to 20mm medium-tensile flat bar! 
If anyone needs a little bit then I'm happy to provide some - as it was given to me, I'm happy to let others use a bit as needed as well...
The random-act-of-kindness must remain anon, but you know who you are, and my hugest thanks for the gift. You're welcome around any time - theres normally beer in the fridge and the coffee machine is normally on - unless Rik has been here
Oh, and its not stolen, its just in lengths that are too short for the company to use so it goes to scrap... unbelievable! - still, who am I to argue
I will still be looking to set up an account in the coming week - will keep you posted with details.
Steve
from 10mm to 20mm medium-tensile flat bar!
If anyone needs a little bit then I'm happy to provide some - as it was given to me, I'm happy to let others use a bit as needed as well...
The random-act-of-kindness must remain anon, but you know who you are, and my hugest thanks for the gift. You're welcome around any time - theres normally beer in the fridge and the coffee machine is normally on - unless Rik has been here
Oh, and its not stolen, its just in lengths that are too short for the company to use so it goes to scrap... unbelievable!
- still, who am I to argue
I will still be looking to set up an account in the coming week - will keep you posted with details.
Steve
if your cheeky (i am) ring up and say
Hi it's ------- from (where you work ) was wanting a price on ------ or
hi its ----- from ------- do we have an account with you guys that I could use for a cash sale
Works for me everytime if I can't borrow from the steel rack at work
as for the long lengths think about your next project
stewart steel give's me the best price most of the time and have some recovery gear
Hi it's ------- from (where you work ) was wanting a price on ------ or
hi its ----- from ------- do we have an account with you guys that I could use for a cash sale
Works for me everytime if I can't borrow from the steel rack at work
as for the long lengths think about your next project
stewart steel give's me the best price most of the time and have some recovery gear
Interestingly today I went to Steel and Tube and Vulcan Steel... S&T was the perfect model of corporate efficiency, smiling and handing me a 6-page application form then walking off telling me to return it when it was done. Then when I asked for a price on the tube I need they told me once the application was done it would be $51 + GST - which is dearer than the retail price from Rangiora Engineering!
I dropped into Vulcan Steel, got greeted very warmly from all three people working near the door, had a chat, got a guided tour of their setup (me walking around with thousands of tonnes of all shapes and sizes of steel... imagine Homer Simpson in a warehouse of donuts and duff beer... hmm... actually, just imagine ME in a warehouse filled with donuts and duff beer )
I was so blown away by the service and friendly atmosphere at Vulcan I forgot to ask for a price on the tube, but since they supply Rangiora Engineering I suspect it will be better than Steel and Tube - another interesting thing from Vulcan was that they have some stuff that was accidentally cut to 6.5m instead of 8 by the mill so they are flicking that off cheap, some lengths of bent RHS and also they have a most impressive scrap pile for their customers out the back
Anyway, will fill in the paperwork and go back and see them tomorrow... I need to check if its ok to do cash sales and how best to do that with them - they didn't look that well set up for it. Worst case you will need to order it through me instead of direct - I'll work that out with them and keep you posted.
Steve
I dropped into Vulcan Steel, got greeted very warmly from all three people working near the door, had a chat, got a guided tour of their setup (me walking around with thousands of tonnes of all shapes and sizes of steel... imagine Homer Simpson in a warehouse of donuts and duff beer... hmm... actually, just imagine ME in a warehouse filled with donuts and duff beer
)
I was so blown away by the service and friendly atmosphere at Vulcan I forgot to ask for a price on the tube, but since they supply Rangiora Engineering I suspect it will be better than Steel and Tube - another interesting thing from Vulcan was that they have some stuff that was accidentally cut to 6.5m instead of 8 by the mill so they are flicking that off cheap, some lengths of bent RHS and also they have a most impressive scrap pile for their customers out the back
Anyway, will fill in the paperwork and go back and see them tomorrow... I need to check if its ok to do cash sales and how best to do that with them - they didn't look that well set up for it. Worst case you will need to order it through me instead of direct - I'll work that out with them and keep you posted.
Steve