Steel prices

[cunninglinguist]

Do you think the price of steel will come down? I was shocked what I was quoted for when I went shopping for some sheet metal.

I don't know the historical prices of steel ie. if it fluctuates wildly. Is this a short term thing?

I want to know because I'm low on funds and want to plan my projects out as best as I can. I want to make a new bed for my pickup. I talked to another owner and it cost him 400 bucks in materials last year. It will probably be like 700 this year.

[dcsound]

I don't think it's just steel. It's all metals. I use a lot of prefabricated stage truss made of aluminum and steel as well as iron pipe and the cost has really gone up. I also use a lot of heavy gauge copper wire, #2 through #4-0 for heavy 3 phase AC power feeds, and copper has just skyrocketed. There isn't really too much that the price of isn't rising. Many newspapers list metal prices in the business section near the stocks. Check some back issues and see if there is a trend.

[DDA52]

One of my suppliers made his Aug/Sept purchases last week. He said the prices were down slightly. I asked how slightly. He said we won't hardly notice. The good thing was the next prices he was getting for the next delivery were down from the Aug price. Again, slightly. It looks like they are going down, just not very fast.

Don

[BCarlucci]

I've heard it all, i've heard that prices on steel are coming down but at a slow pace, but will never get back down to where they were before the huge price increases. I just find it odd how my customers are telling me this, but yet my suppliers for welding wire and tig rod and stick are all having more increases. Personally i think it's getting ridiculous (sorry about the spelling). Going from what i've read and can remember, the prices went from around 250 a ton for cold rolled steel up to 650 a ton. But i'm crossing my fingers, because i don't like having to raise my customers welding wire prices .

BC

[klsm54]

The filler metal manufacturers claim, that while some steel product pricing has leveled off, there is still an upward trend in the "Green Rod" used to make filler metals, thus the prices on rod and wire continue to skyrocket. The increases on wire that are hitting now for July are as much as $0.065 per pound on some mild steel wires.

Other steel products (plate, piping etc.) seem to have leveled off, some, in some areas. But most of the people I talk to don't expect any significant reductions in the near future.

[aametalmaster]

I think they are coming down like gasoline a penny at a time. But that's another story. They prob want to make all the money for stuff sitting on the shelf for years. Shop around...Bob

[nnn0rau]

steel prices

This is my first post on this forum... please excuse the cumbersome reply.
It is my understanding that due to China trying to upgrade their tourist infrastructure for the upcomming 2008 Olympics, that they are not releasing their low-cost steel unless prior long-term arangements have been made. It is also my understanding that they are also purchasing most of our scrap steel further adding to the shortage & therefore demand. The US Mills are now at capacity and are having issues keeping up with demand. Steel surcharges are now quite common. If what I am being led to believe is true, i do not anticipate any serious reductions in cost anytime soon.
Russ

[hankj]

All I know is that a full sheet of 1/4" plate in Northern Califirnia is going for $208.30

For me, that put my latest project on hold indefinitelty!!

Be well.

hank

[GWB]

They are high in the SF bay area.
Called for a quote on 24" X 6' .062 40plus dollars
15.00 was a cutting charge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please Mr. NAYLOR!!!!!!!!!
Oh sorry, just a home shop guy

[JOHN1]

Are aluminum prices doing what the steel prices are doing??

[glockdoc]

Seems to be two things driving prices these days. The worthless dollar and a hot Chinese economy. Apparently, because of the exchange rate, foreigners are buying our domestic metals. What we think is an outragous price is just pocket change to them. Seems now the Chinese may have a problem with too much growth too fast. If they do go bust prices may come back down. Check out the prices of corn and soybeans over the last year or two. Same kind of thing. Anyone else following the price of ½"CDX plywood? At one time, a few months back, it had more than doubled from a year ago but has since come down a little. Sure sounds like inflation is on its way back.

[Paul Seaman]

John1:
Aluminum 21' of 1-1/4 square I paid $32 for in January is now $41.50 increase of 1/3 in six monthes. They told me it has leveled off and will probably drop some in 2-6 monthes. I expect by the time I need another 400 feet it will be around $36 which I can live with. 10% cost increase is sort of expected after it stayed so level for 10 years only fluctuating 25-50 cents per stick.

If the prices recover from the stratosphere we will see a tremendous boom in growth nation wide.

[walker]

Just remember that steel/gas/soy prices have skyrocketed in the last presidential term only. Prior to that there had been normal market ups and downs, but not huge inflationary jumps. I guess what I am trying to say is remember these price increases when you VOTE! You are going to vote right???

[gangel99]

Originally posted by GWB
They are high in the SF bay area.
Called for a quote on 24" X 6' .062 40plus dollars
15.00 was a cutting charge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please Mr. NAYLOR!!!!!!!!!
Oh sorry, just a home shop guy

Hey, Naylor is an OK guy & runs a nice shop with good service. A little out of my way but I go there anyway rather than Alco or S. Bay Metals.

[Manny]

Definiatly going to vote Walker, for the good and decent man who no holds the office. Huge relief after the previous occupant.
Manny