Sourcing scrap as in Florida

[Gaia]

I am looking for a place to buy a short length, 22", of ss pipe, schedule 80, in the Ft Myers area.

I used to pick up this kind of thing at a large scrap metal yard in Ft Myers but they no longer allow one to roam the yard. Pity that.

I would prefer not to have to buy a 20ft length!

Hope someone can steer me somewhere.

Jim

[Pete17C]

If there are any commercial/industrial mechanical contractors in the area, you can try them. They usually have a 'leftover stock' pile of misc stuff from finished jobs. Stop by and talk to one of the shop/yard guys if you can, the office probably won't want to deal with you.

Bring a box of doughnuts.

[jimbunyard]

https://www.onlinemetals.com/merchan...d=59&top_cat=0

[svHyLyte]

Check with canvas makers in your area. They commonly have lengths of SS Tubing left over from making Bimini's and Dodger frames. I recently picked up several 1" Dia. pieces for nothing at a nearby canvas shop to use in straightening a slightly bent stanchion.

FWIW...

[SuW]

Originally Posted by Gaia

I am looking for a place to buy a short length, 22", of ss pipe, schedule 80, in the Ft Myers area.

You don't say the diameter you need. I would try calling all the welding shops in the area. They usually have a bin of leftovers especially if scrap prices are low. Perhaps there is still a group of metal boat builders in Florida?

If you were in my part of the world, I would tell you to call Tri-County Stainless in Ingleside, Ontario.

[sailm8]

These guys sell 1 inch SS by the foot. https://www.marinetradingpost.com/Se...s.asp?Cat=2378

[skipmac]

If you can't find it locally try onlinemetals.com. They will cut SS to order and not too expensive.

[junkmanii]

Bob’s Marine Salvage has this and more. Not sure what he charges.....(not what I was after). He’s in Clearwater and it’s fun to walk through!

[Gaia]

Tx for all the quick comeback. I will try the sources suggested. Btw the heavy wall pipe I need is 1.25" diameter, about 1"I'D. It is to replace a severely bent strut that hold a out the bowsprit chains. My anchor roller got mostly torn off of the ss steel tube that holds the bowsprit damaging the strut and the ss railing in the process. Got the anchor chain stuck under rocks off of Ascension island and a large swell came in at the wrong time. Not nice.

Jim

[stormalong]

Are you sure that it is schedule 80? That is very heavy, even for a bowsprit strut.

[Gaia]

Originally Posted by sailm8

These guys sell 1 inch SS by the foot. https://www.marinetradingpost.com/Se...s.asp?Cat=2378

Tx for the suggestion. I will try them tomorrow when I go into the big smoke. We are located in Port LaBelle.

Is this the outfit that sells stuff on consignment? I have a new west marine anchor line still in the bag as well as one of those heavy duty yellow power cords with adapter and two good Torquedo batteries as well as the defective motor for parts. Am wondering if that is a good way to rid the boat of them but perhaps I should ask on a different thread.

Jim

[Gaia]

Originally Posted by stormalong

Are you sure that it is schedule 80? That is very heavy, even for a bowsprit strut.

No, am not sure. 0.125 wall it looks like. But will check. Tx.

Jim

[Suijin]

Also check with marine fabricators (as distinct from canvas shops, which deal mostly in 1”). Also try any of the bigger rigging shops as they usually do some metal work.

[boatman1]

Perhaps not helpful to you, but years ago I frequented a "scrap" yard in Miami west of Miami international airport that was phenomenal. A lot of bits and pieces from aircraft that could often be used by the poor starving boat owner. I can't remember the name: indeed there may be condos there now, but if still there, worth a visit.

[captlloyd]

Let your fingers do the walking. Look up metal suppliers in your area, ask for a salesman. Ask if they sell stainless, if so , tell him the size and wall thickness you need and ask if they have any drops. A drop is a left over piece from a previous cut. You may have to buy a 3 ft. Piece to get what you want or pay a cutting charge. You can often buy the whole drop for what the cutting charge adds.