OM,
I've had good success looking in a recycling yard (may be listed in your
telephone book as "METAL SALVAGE--NON FERROUS")
The prices are a SMALL fraction of what you would pay for new.
Also, many metals houses do not want to be bothered with "hobby people"
and
may not sell to you unless you buy a minimum. Their "cutting fees" will
take your
breath away.
If you choose to try a salvage dealer (never call the place a junk yard,
these
guys are in a very tough business and can be a bit crusty....HI!) figure
out a way
to get money into their pocket. If you have some aluminum cans to sell,
see if
you can work out a "trade" but make sure the other guy comes out ahead.
The aluminum can method is a good way to get an "in" with a dealer. I
had the
good fortune to run into a guy locally who, although listed as a
non-ferrous dealer,
handles a little bit of everything. Non-ferrous dealers deal in all
non-precious
metals except iron and steel. This guy had wire by the mile, copper pipe
up to
4" in diameter, TONS of aluminum tubing, pipe, conduit, rod, on and on
and on.
He also had a mound of deceased bicycles 30' high and about 125' in
diameter.
I have not a clue as to why.....HI!
The usual protocol is to ask if you can go through the yard. Tell them
you need
little bits and whatnot for fabrication in "the shop." DO NOT TELL THEM
YOU
ARE A HAM!! These guys don't like hobby people either. If you can go
during
the week during business hours (take your lunch break or get released
early)
you'll look less like some hobby person and more like someone who has a
small
machine shop or fabricating yard. You then select what you want and put
it in a pile
near the scale. Put aluminum in one pile, copper in another, brass in
another and
stainless in yet another.....each metal type has it's own selling price
which should
be posted near the scale. It is important to make your trip worth the
dealer's time.
Figure out a way to put at least $25 in his pocket. Pay cash, this will
score big
points. A credit card or check without a company name will tag you as a
hobby
person, something you want to avoid. Don't ask for a receipt but accept
one if they
offer "so you can be reimbursed."
Wear the worst clothes you have. Greasy, nasty jeans, torn and holed
sweatshirt
are the uniform of the day. If you have hiking boots or something that
looks like
it could have a steel toe, wear it. You may be turned away from "the
yard" if you
are wearing sneakers or street shoes. If you un-do one of their piles to
get at some-
thing that strikes your eye, be SURE to put what you have un-done back.
This
usually means digging through a 55 gallon barrel to find just the piece
of angle
stock and then putting everything except the angle stock piece back in
the drum.
These folks know where everything is.......amazing! If you have a pair
of safety
goggles, wear 'em. Also, keep your wits about you. The "yard" is
generally
slippery even when not wet and is filled with sharp, pointy things. Wear
HEAVY
leather gloves lest you cut yourself as almost every edge is like a
razor.
It may be that the guy will just look at your pile(s) without weighing
them. While
he is looking, ask "What's the best you can do on this?" When he gives
you a
price, nod you head a little and say...."that's a fair price." (unless
he is trying to
screw you, in which case walk away and find another dealer) The price
you get
will be about 20-50% higher than would be given to a regular customer but
will
be MUCH, MUCH less than buying from a metals dealer.
Being near Boeing, you might try asking some of the folks on the repeater
for
their advice as well.
Should you be determined to buy new, Texas Towers has always treated me
fairly.
W. W. Williams is a large wholesaler. I try very hard not to darken
their door.
Another source for aluminum tubing is unwanted CB antennae. A note in
your
local "PENNY SAVER, PENNY SHOPPER, GREEN SHEET, TRADIN' TIMES" or
similiar paper, or even a note on the grocery store bulletin board can be
helpful
as lots of folks just want to be rid of the things.
Peace Be With Thee,
Tim
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