Author Topic: Where to buy steel stock in NJ (Read 5135 times)

NChander · « **on:** June 18, 2019, 06:41 AM »

Howdy folks,

Starting to get into welding, mainly for furniture stands/frames/etc, and wanted to find out where to get decent stock in the Central NJ area.

I'll mainly be using 1/8" and, depending on the weight of the project, 1/4". I looked at the big box stores and didn't care for the price to length ratio, was hoping someone could point me to someplace that has patience for a hobbyist.

Thanks,
Neeraj

Bob D. · « **Reply #1 on:** June 18, 2019, 08:10 AM »

Joseph Fazzio's would be one place.
2760 Glassboro-Cross Keys Road
Glassboro, NJ 08028

They also have a facility in Wall Township (never been there)
5001 Routes 33 & 34 (at Circle)
Farmingdale, NJ 07727

Fazzio's Machine & Steel would be another.
3278 Glassboro Cross Keys Rd,
Glassboro,NJ,08028

They are separate companies but located only a half mile apart. I've bought from both and never asked what the relationship/history between the two is. Might be brothers that went their separate ways years ago but that is speculation on my part. I do know they have both been good to deal with.

Slowlearner · « **Reply #2 on:** June 18, 2019, 09:24 AM »

Check online sometimes as well metaldepot i think is one..

RKA · « **Reply #3 on:** June 18, 2019, 09:30 AM »

I can't really help you, but I would love it if you documented your meanderings into the world of metal. I've never welded before and while it would be great to mix metal and wood, I've been intimidated by the learning curve.

Slowlearner · « **Reply #4 on:** June 18, 2019, 10:14 AM »

Quote from: RKA on June 18, 2019, 09:30 AM

I can't really help you, but I would love it if you documented your meanderings into the world of metal. I've never welded before and while it would be great to mix metal and wood, I've been intimidated by the learning curve.

Welding is actually pretty easy when using mig welding. They have it now you can do gasless. I dont like it too much more clean up but if thats the choice its their. For me tig welding is where it gets tricky. Look up weldingtipsandtricks on you tube. Great guy makes it easy to learn.
Mig welding you can literally pick up gun and lay some beads. Some fairly decent cheap machines out there as well

RKA · « **Reply #5 on:** June 18, 2019, 12:19 PM »

Haha, looking at your screen name, I guess that's high endorsement. Thanks, here comes another rabbit hole!

Slowlearner · « **Reply #6 on:** June 18, 2019, 12:52 PM »

Lol ya. Ill trade you wood working tips for welding tips. Lol

NChander · « **Reply #7 on:** June 19, 2019, 10:14 AM »

Thanks for the recommendations, very much appreciated; unfortunately, they are too far away to make it worthwhile. If I was an avid welder I would have made the trip, but since I'm starting out, I need to purchase small amounts of stock to experiment on before I make any large purchases.

I'll probably go the metaldepot route and see what happens.

Thanks,
Neeraj

Bob D. · « **Reply #8 on:** June 19, 2019, 01:45 PM »

You can also try the home centers for small quantities but the prices will not be as good. Tractor Supply also has small quantities of flat bar and angle and such if you have one of their stores in your area.

You just gave us central jersey so couldn't of much help in finding something next door to you.

Steve1 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 20, 2019, 09:18 AM »

Hardware stores and Big Box are not good places to buy metals. The selection and mark up are not appealing. I have to figure there are plenty of steel suppliers in NJ. Trouble is, most of them are looking to sell full lengths to industry, and not really interested in selling you 24" of 3/16" x 4" bar. However, just like any industry, there are big shops and there are small shops, and a few of them are small shops that are quite happy to do small orders. You have to search them out. They possibly still have minimum orders.

rvieceli · « **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2019, 11:02 AM »

You can also check around for local fab shop and see if they have drops they might sell.

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2019, 12:14 PM »

Steel is tough to source for the average DIY'er. I'm at the Jersey shore near AC and my best alternative is to drive the ~60 minutes each way to Fazzio's in Glassboro so I have (1) a wide selection and (2) the option to buy 4-6' lengths.

When I added a welder to the fleet I took the plunge and bought 500# of various profiles. It hurt at first but now I can mostly dip into the on-hand stock and find something that I can get by with. Every couple of months I make a run to Fazzio's for something specific and when I do I restock as needed. FWIW I've found their prices to average around $1/# for pre-cut stock.

Just my

RMW

Bob D. · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2019, 01:01 PM »

If you're in New Jersey anywhere south of Trenton I think Fazzio's is
probably you're best bet.

You can buy by the ton or just a couple short lengths as Richard stated.

Years ago you could rummage through the drop cuts of steel and aluminum
and get stuff for pennies a pound.

If you go check out the nut and bolt room.

You'd be hard pressed to find anyone in NJ with a wider selection of steel on
hand than they have I think.

RKA · « **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2019, 01:15 PM »

As an added incentive, if you're already going down to Glassboro, it's a good excuse to make a trip over the river for some tax free shopping in Delaware. Christiana Mall, Woodcraft or even the Felder showroom if you're feeling particularly spendy! :-P I'll usually make the hike down there once or twice a year from CNJ.

NChander · « **Reply #14 on:** June 21, 2019, 07:58 AM »

I live in Basking Ridge so that trip would be about 4 hours round trip, probably going to wait till I get much better at welding.

I'll try my luck at some of the local suppliers and keep you all posted.

Thanks again for all the recommendations, very much appreciated!

-Neeraj

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #15 on:** June 21, 2019, 09:07 AM »

@o2b4wln I have never been there however Fazzio's north Jersey location appears to be around 1 hour from Basking Ridge.

RMW

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #16 on:** June 21, 2019, 12:50 PM »

Ha! You call that North Jersey?

RKA · « **Reply #17 on:** June 21, 2019, 01:45 PM »

Haha, I was waiting for that!

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #18 on:** June 21, 2019, 06:05 PM »

Good point. Anything close to 1 & 9 is north enough for me... I only go there under duress. Spoiled.

Myself, I'm heading to Fazzio in Glassboro in the AM to pick up some CR to make up clamp racks.

RMW

Bob D. · « **Reply #19 on:** June 21, 2019, 06:17 PM »

Quote from: Michael Kellough on June 21, 2019, 12:50 PM

Ha! You call that North Jersey?

Anything north of Camden is North Jersey to us down here in SNJ.

Basking Ridge is WAY north of Central Jersey from down here. :-) But that's why I suggested Fazzio's Wall Township location because to me that IS Central Jersey.

Rich, if I knew you were heading to Fazzio's tomorrow I would have tried to meet up with you there for an eyeball.
I'm only ~25 minutes away and I'm due for a trip anyway, but tomorrow I have plans (ARRL Field Day if anyone knows what that is), so will be busy this weekend with activities that don't involve woodworking (or welding).

I didn't know Felder had a showroom in DE, where abouts. I make a trip to Woodcraft in New Castle about 4 or 5 times a year. AFAIK they don't have a single store in NJ. There are no Rockler stores near here either, closest is Pittsburgh I believe.

RKA · « **Reply #20 on:** June 21, 2019, 07:08 PM »

2 Lukens Drive, Suite 100-400
New Castle, DE 19720

It’s only 2-3 miles on the other side of the bridge.

Bob D. · « **Reply #21 on:** June 21, 2019, 09:21 PM »

Right near another place I've been meaning to visit, Russell Plywood.

And conveniently not far from HRO or Woodcraft, triple win. :-)

Bob D. · « **Reply #22 on:** March 25, 2022, 10:29 PM »

Quote from: Bob D. on June 21, 2019, 06:17 PM

There are no Rockler stores near here either, closest is Pittsburgh I believe.

Well, that is about to change. Rockler is opening a store in Moorestown, NJ which is close to but across the river from Philly. It will be about a 38 mile trip for me. But that's about how far it is to Woodcraft and that trip involves a $5 bridge toll.

From what I can see on their map this will be the first store in NJ, and to date still none in DE or MD and only the one in Pittsburg for PA. I'm actually surprised they didn't opt for Delaware as NJ taxes are killer and the Moorestown area is not exactly the cheapest either.

It will be nice to have an alternative when I just gotta have something today.

I received an email today saying they are hiring all positions for the store which will open soon but no date given.

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #23 on:** March 26, 2022, 12:42 AM »

Finally! Since I left PA I don't even get to Downingtown Woodcraft anymore. Moorestown seems like next door.

Bob, did you ever make it to Russell Plywood? Wondering if they are an option for prefinished ply in lieu of Industrial Plywood out in Reading?

RMW

Bob D. · « **Reply #24 on:** March 26, 2022, 06:03 AM »

"Bob, did you ever make it to Russell Plywood?"

No, I didn't. I am still using up material I have from my kitchen
island build. I bought way more than I needed back then knowing
I would use it for other projects. But I am down to the last of that
and will probably be looking for more if/when prices settle down as
I don't have an immediate need.

Bob D. · « **Reply #25 on:** June 18, 2022, 04:03 PM »

The new Rockler store in Moorestown, NJ has their grand opening tomorrow.

Just got the email this afternoon. Wouldn't want to get that notification out too early ya know.

A Father's Day opening? Should have been last week with big grand opening/Father's Day sale.

Who knows, maybe that's what they were shooting for but it didn't happen for whatever reason.
At any rate it's here now so I might make the trip. If I do I'll show up around Noon.

Bob D. · « **Reply #26 on:** June 20, 2022, 09:21 AM »

I attended the opening of the new Rockler store and found these bar clamps which I thought might be useful in some clamping situations, so I picked up a pair of the 12-inch versions.