Welding consumables pricing

[ckessel]

I needed to get a 120cf exchange steel mix tank. I checked with Airgas, 20 minutes away from me, and was quoted $175.00 plus tax/fees. My last two argon tanks I exchanged at a welding supply outfit in Santa Maria which is an hour drive. When I got my last one, it was roughly half the cost of Airgas. Check out the receipt for today from Santa Maria for the steel mix. Airgas is the only supplier in our county and make the assumption no one will shop around. I've found similar with metal suppliers between the two counties. Local supplier is about $20.00 more for a sheet of 20ga cold rolled and charge $65.00 per cut. It pays to shop around!

 

[MWbirdLOVER70]

I needed to get a 120cf exchange steel mix tank. I checked with Airgas, 20 minutes away from me, and was quoted $175.00 plus tax/fees. My last two argon tanks I exchanged at a welding supply outfit in Santa Maria which is an hour drive. When I got my last one, it was roughly half the cost of Airgas. Check out the receipt for today from Santa Maria for the steel mix. Airgas is the only supplier in our county and make the assumption no one will shop around. I've found similar with metal suppliers between the two counties. Local supplier is about $20.00 more for a sheet of 20ga cold rolled and charge $65.00 per cut. It pays to shop around!

View attachment 1756139

In these times I always shop around before a purchase anymore. The web is our friend

 

[RJRENTON]

I needed to get a 120cf exchange steel mix tank. I checked with Airgas, 20 minutes away from me, and was quoted $175.00 plus tax/fees. My last two argon tanks I exchanged at a welding supply outfit in Santa Maria which is an hour drive. When I got my last one, it was roughly half the cost of Airgas. Check out the receipt for today from Santa Maria for the steel mix. Airgas is the only supplier in our county and make the assumption no one will shop around. I've found similar with metal suppliers between the two counties. Local supplier is about $20.00 more for a sheet of 20ga cold rolled and charge $65.00 per cut. It pays to shop around!

View attachment 1756139

It is what is and the price depends on how bad do you want or need the item. In another lifetime, I did steel purchasing, both carbon and stainless steels. With stainless steels, both plate, sheet, welded and seamless pipe, the price were based on a the nickel content plus a commodity surcharge for the nickel percentage plus the cost of manufacture....even something simple like SA312W-TP304/304 pipe or SA240-304H 3/8" plate with material certifications and traceability documents required for ASME Section VIII construction. The price for identical material could vary between weeks. It depends on if you need the material and how much you are willing to pay for it.....or negotiate the price. I use to use a company called Jackson Welding in Pgh for welding supplies.....wire, flux core wire and TIG filler material.....again depending on nickel content of the wire........you've got to look around and NEGOTIATE the price.....it never hurts to ask.....just my opinion......
BOB RENTON
BOB RENTON

 

[Paul_B]

Pretty similar to what I just paid from a local welding shop. Some places are high!

 

[davek]

You have no choice but shop around now a days, everyone is screwing the little guy.

 

[Don selleck]

Airgas here in Jackson, Michigan is about double the price of baker gas, haven't been to Airgas for several years.

 

[Matthew J]

That sounds like "we don't really want your business pricing." Probably much more competitive for the big accounts.

 

[gtxdana]

I was shocked to find the local Airgas was actually quite a bit cheaper than Matheson for 75/25. It was still $105 for 80cf. At least I only had to drive four miles to Airgas instead of battling the traffic for fifteen or twenty miles to go to Matheson. Yes, there are no deals to be had in this overpriced town.