The Benefits Of Ordering Steel Cut To Length
Reports show a 2.2% increase in demand for steel in 2022. Showing just how important this material is and how many people are using it. This growth is only considered to become greater as people are needing steel now more than ever. Many choose steel cut to length for many different reasons.
Cut to length steel is a popular choice and one that people should consider. If you need to purchase steel, this is an option that might be a great fit for what you are needing. Especially if you are ordering a large quantity of steel of various lengths. Keep reading to find out if cut to length steel is the right fit for you.
Reduces Waste
When you order steel for a specific project, chances are you need to cut it to a certain length. When you do this, you will have steel that goes to waste as it isn’t used. Not only is this wasting resources, it wastes your money. You paid for that steel that you end up cutting off and discarding because you do not need it for your project.
Whether you are a contractor, owner, or DIYer, this is not ideal. You do not want to waste any steel that you are paying for as this can add up fast. This is an issue that could be easily fixed by ordering cut to length steel. Resulting in you only buying the lengths that you need, nothing more, nothing less. This is especially beneficial for those ordering large amounts of steel. Steel cut to length could save you quite a bit of money as well as provide you with exactly what you need.
Less Manual Labor
If you were to order steel that has to be an exact length, you most likely have to cut it. Things like steel coils and steel sheets can be quite difficult to cut yourself. Especially if you have placed a large order of steel that you need. Cutting steel down to length means that you need people to do this labor-intensive work. That could create additional costs to have employees get this job done for you. It can also be dangerous as they will be working with tools that could cut or injure them along the way.
By ordering ctl steel, you can avoid all of this hassle when placing your order. You can buy the steel and have the steel distributor cut it to length for you, reducing the work you have to do. This is one of the best benefits of having steel cut to length for you. And steel distributors like Bushwick Metals even offer this service to the whole eastern half of the United States.
When ordering ctl steel, you also don’t have to own your own steel-cutting tools or equipment. These tools can cost a lot of money and can be difficult to maintain. Not everyone has these items, so getting the steel cut for you will be your best option.
Better Efficiency
Having your steel cut for you is very efficient and cuts back on the work that you have too do. So when you receive your order, the steel will be ready to go. You don’t have to set aside a week to cut the steel yourself before you can begin the project. You can get right to work as the steel will already be ready to go where it needs to go.
Making this option not only efficient for the work you are doing but convenient too. Reducing your workload and producing a material that is ready to be used. This is ideal for large-scale projects that you may need to get to work on. Or if you are running behind and need to use the steel that you have ordered right away. You don’t have to take into consideration how long you will need to cut the steel yourself. Saving you a great deal of time if you need that steel for a project right then.
Quality Cuts
When you get your cut to length steel from a steel distributor, you know you are getting quality. You may be able to cut the steel yourself, but will it create a good end result? Things like a blanking line can be difficult and take time to do. And you may not necessarily be qualified to make cuts in steel that are going to be high quality. Steel distributors will have the right kinds of equipment that are made for this job. So you are guaranteed to get a nice cut on your steel products.
Having the right cuts can be very important as many projects require exact measurements. Something that you may not be able to achieve on your own.
What Kinds of Steel Can be Cut to Length?
There are all kinds of steel products that can be cut to length. Many are products that you may need in your various jobs or projects. Steel distributors like Bushwick Metals offer a wide variety of steel products. Most being cut to length steel options that can be very useful and convenient.
You can choose steel products like steel coils, steel sheets, and steel beams. As well as a variety of other products that you can have cut to a specific length.
Benefits of Having Steel Cut to Length
If you are ordering steel, you probably need specific lengths for your project. Steel cut to length is a great option and can cut down on your workload and provide fantastic results.
Do you need steel products cut to length? Contact us today at Bushwick Metals for all kinds of cut to length steel options.
5 Common Steel Sections and Where To Buy Them
In June of 2022, United States steel mills shipped over 7.6 million tons of steel, including structural and reinforcement steel. The term structural steel refers specifically to steel sections produced for construction or heavy fabrication purposes. Steel fabricators, construction workers, and engineers rely on construction steel sections to create buildings and infrastructure we use daily. Many skyscrapers, bridges, and tunnels would be impossible without the use of the different steel sections manufacturers produce. Any business owner using steel sections should be aware of the most common steel section types. If you’re wondering where to start when it comes to structural steel, we’ve got you covered.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the five most common types of steel sections and where you can buy them!
1. Angle Sections
Angle sections, referred to most commonly as “angle iron” by steel fabricators, are shaped much as the name suggests. The profile of an angle section forms an “L” shape. As a result, another common name for this type of section is “L bar.” Usually, angle sections come in 90° angles, with a rounded inner corner. However, steel manufacturers often offer angle sections in custom angles as needed. Because of its angled shape, this type of steel section is much stronger than some other sections of comparable weight. Common applications of angle sections include residential construction and light infrastructure.
2. Channel Sections
Channel sections, also called “U-channel” or “C-channel” depending on the piece, have a profile similar to the shape of a staple. The two parallel sides, called flanges, can be a variety of lengths but always match each other in size. “U-channel” is a channel section with flanges that run parallel on the inside. “C-channel” refers to a section with flanges that taper on the inside. Like angle sections, channel sections provide a high strength-to-weight ratio because of their right angles. However, they tend to be a bit heavier than angle sections. Because of their strength, channel sections are common in construction. Most often, this type of section is used for shorter buildings that can handle heavier materials.
3. I-Beam Sections
As the name suggests, I-beams have a profile shaped like a capital “I.” This type of section can be seen in the famous “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” photograph, in which a row of construction workers are seated on an I-beam. If the parallel sides of the beam are wider than the middle, this type of section may be called an “H-beam.” However, the two terms are generally interchangeable. Due to its shape, this type of section is extremely resistant to bending and shearing. I-beam sections are common in large-scale construction like tall buildings and bridges where the structure must bear heavy weight.
4. Hollow Sections
Hollow sections can refer to a variety of steel sections. Any tube or pipe is considered a hollow section. Although tubes and pipes are similar, they aren’t the same. There are a few distinctions between the two types of hollow sections. The main difference between pipes and tubes is their function. Pipes are exclusively used to transport substances like water, whereas tubing is used for building structures. Tubes can also come in a variety of shapes, like square, circular, or elliptical, while pipes are always circular. Additionally, the way pipes and tubing are measured is different. A pipe is measured using its inside diameter, while tubing is typically measured by its outside diameter. Hollow sections like tubing are most commonly used for light fabrication. Because they aren’t solid, they are easy to work with and lightweight.
5. Bar Sections
Similar to hollow sections, bar sections come in a variety of shapes. Bars can be flat, square, or round, and manufacturers can often produce bars in unusual custom shapes. Unlike hollow sections, bar sections are solid pieces of steel. Because of the variety of shapes bar sections come in, they are versatile pieces with many different applications. Solid bars are easily reshaped, allowing fabricators to create many types of structures. Because they bend more easily than other steel sections, bar sections are usually used for industrial purposes rather than structural.
Common Steel Compositions
In addition to differently shaped sections of steel, the material itself is also available in different chemical compositions. Manufacturers produce 70% of United States steel using electric arc furnaces to refine raw iron. The most widely used steel compositions are carbon, stainless, and galvanized. Carbon steel most commonly comes in A36 and A572 varieties. A36 is higher in carbon, making it easier to reshape, cut, and weld. A572 is a high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steel. This type of steel has chemical alloys that make it strong and light, but slightly harder to work with. Stainless steel is impervious to rust due to the addition of chromium. It is generally used for lighter applications since it is more costly than carbon steel. To create galvanized steel, manufacturers coat it with zinc. The zinc bath gives galvanized steel a shiny finish and corrosion resistance.
Where to Buy Steel Sections
Steel sections are available in small quantities at most hardware and home improvement stores. However, buying in smaller amounts usually means a higher unit cost. The best way to get a good deal on structural steel is to buy from a steel distributor or a recycling center. Because these types of facilities deal in large amounts of steel, you can get a lower cost per pound.
The Bottom Line on Steel Sections
No matter what kind of steel section you’re looking for, you can trust Bushwick Metals. If you need custom-shaped materials, we’ll get you the perfect steel sections for the job.
Still have questions about your steel needs? Contact us today to find out what else we can do to help!
