Author Topic: On-line steel suppliers??  (Read 1818 times)

Offline Scota4570

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On-line steel suppliers??
« on: November 17, 2021, 07:56:45 PM »
I have no local sources of the steels I want.

I tried onlinemetals.com, they have a glitchy website that is impossible to order from.  They don't answer the phone and reviews indicate a scam business.  Next.....

Addendum,  Added later.  To clarify I have had one interaction with them and it seemed odd for a professional company.  I chose not to order form them based on that alone.  I am not making any judgment.  Apparently many are quite happy with them.

I want steel for lock making.  1144, O1, 1018, 12L14 rods and such. 

Who is your favorite on line steel supplier? 

Thanks,
Scot
« Last Edit: November 20, 2021, 12:57:14 AM by Scota4570 »

Offline Mark Elliott

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2021, 08:14:54 PM »
I have bought a number of times from Online Metals with no problem, but not recently.  If I need tool steel,  I go to Admiral Steel: https://www.admiralsteel.com/shop/shop1.html

Offline Jerry

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2021, 09:17:11 PM »
MSC, Granger, McMaster Carr to list a few.

Offline J. Talbert

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2021, 10:01:21 PM »
I’ve used Online Metals also.
Fairly well pleased with them.
Only complaint is shipping costs can be a bit steep, but I suppose that’s unavoidable.

Jeff
There are no solutions.  There are only trade-offs.”
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Offline R Whittington

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2021, 12:43:06 AM »
I just got some 1018 from online metal.
Ric Whittington

Offline Eric Kettenburg

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2021, 12:49:29 AM »
Admiral Steel and McMaster Carr are easy to deal with, have good supply and ship super quickly (McMaster often ships same day).
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Offline Scota4570

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2021, 01:39:01 AM »
McMaster Carr is the winner.  They just jumped to top of the list for supplies. 

They ship in hours, shipping  from LA, arrival is promised for tomorrow!   Shipping cost is reasonable, less than gas money to drive to a place that might stock these items.  Seems too good to be true.

It is odd that in this modern world they have no way for a "guest" to place an on line order.  The order desk girl was nice, competent, and answered the phone in two rings.  Old school is good to.   :)

I am all stocked up with materials and tooling to make locks. No excuses at this point, may the games begin. 

Thanks all, 
Scot

Offline Fly Navy

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2021, 08:04:09 AM »
I've used McMaster-Carr a lot and they are great. They ship very fast also.
« Last Edit: November 18, 2021, 08:31:32 AM by Fly Navy »

Offline Bob Roller

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2021, 03:22:27 PM »
I have no local sources of the steels I want.

I tried onlinemetals.com, they have a glitchy website that is impossible to order from.  They don't answer the phone and reviews indicate a scam business.  Next.....

I want steel for lock making.  1144, O1, 1018, 12L14 rods and such. 

Who is your favorite on line steel supplier? 

Thanks,
Scot


The shipment I got a few days ago from Online Steel was some of the best I ever laid eyes one.The last cold finished 1018 I got from McMaster was junk.I make only a few triggers now but used The Metals Depot in Kentucky was my source for 12L14 and 1144. The 0-1 came from a local shop and a friend I helped with her late uncle's estate sale.I still have most of it.I now buy multi flute(5 and 7) from Maritool in Chicago and they are
reasonably priced and AMERICAN made.Good prices and good quality are as rare as a football bat and I am glad to recommend them.
Bob Roller   

Offline deepcreekdale

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #10 on: November 18, 2021, 08:28:17 PM »
I have ordered all the metals you list from McMaster Carr and always have been perfectly satisfied. Order is received the next day as well. As Scot says shipping is cheaper than if you drove to get it in person somewhere. They also seem to stock smaller bars and sheets than some suppliers which want you to buy six foot long pieces.
”Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” Theodore Roosevelt

Offline Bob Roller

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #11 on: November 19, 2021, 01:57:45 AM »
I just got some 1018 from online metal.
I just went to Online Metals website and it took about 10 seconds to get into the cold finished 1018 and the size as well which in this case was 1/4x1/2.It is not a scam.
Bob Roller
« Last Edit: November 19, 2021, 03:45:38 PM by Bob Roller »

Offline hudson

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #12 on: November 19, 2021, 06:02:52 PM »
I have had good luck with this company
https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/

Offline Scota4570

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #13 on: November 20, 2021, 12:58:44 AM »
McMaster Carr arrived 26 after hours of ordering.  The steel looks good. 

Offline STJ1954

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #14 on: November 21, 2021, 12:16:58 AM »
Got 12L14 rod from Grainger, picked it up in Norfolk, about 25 minutes from me. Online metals wanted $30.00 shipping.

Ric Carter

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #15 on: November 23, 2021, 08:14:21 PM »
I like New Jersey Steel Baron.

https://newjerseysteelbaron.com/?cn-reloaded=1

Offline Bob Roller

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Re: On-line steel suppliers??
« Reply #16 on: November 23, 2021, 11:03:18 PM »
I used 12L14 for bridle and sear screws 5/32" diameter to copy the British originals and 3/8" for the hammer screws.Those are the only two places in a lock that material is suited for.On some flintlocks I had to make the top jaw screws so again,12L14 and on one order I was sent 12L14 TG&P (Turned,Ground and Polished) and it looked like chrome plating.I still have some I am now using on the set trigger mainspring.
The sear and sear spring and bridle screws were 4x40 or 4x48 on some of the "4 pin" Stanton copies I made.
They were .108-.109 diameter with a 5/32 head.
Bob Roller