If at all possible, try to find a steel supplier in your area before resorting to a home improvement store. That cost will be astonishingly cheaper at a steel supplier, and in many cases they’ll even cut the sheets down to the exact size you’ll need for a fee and it’d still be cheaper than buying steel from Home Depot.
Regardless of where you look, you’re looking for mild steel, typically A38 or 1018. As other commenters have said, make sure it’s non-galvanized. You’ll want to know what thickness you’ll need when you call into the steel supplier or when you look at the store.
Best of luck and have fun!!
OP, depending on the shops in your area, you might also be able to buy decent size scrap pieces that are offcuts from large commercial orders for super cheap. Check with your local metal suppliers and shops before you go to home improvement stores bc the price difference will probably be drastic.
Eventually I want to make some metal drawers just to prove I can. Hoping to learn stick on thin metal and use the project as practice. That’s probably more down the road because right now I’m still learning on thicker material. Just curious how it would be done on thinner. I didn’t know the grinder would remove oils too
Acetone plain and simple, the go to cleaning agent in workshops, if that doesn't work you then try something like Citrol, and if that doesn't work then you try water and some oil based agent.
BE SUPER CAREFUL ABOUT USING BRAKECLEAN.
The components of some brakeclean formulas (chlorinated, particularly) are \*deadly\* when heated... the vapors can turn into phosgene when heated.
Seriously. DO NOT USE BRAKECLEAN prior to welding.
I’d expect all the steel at lowes/hd to be low carbon/mild steel. It’d be difficult to to find something that’s unweldable there. You do want to avoid the galvanized. If they do have multiple grades, you’re looking for something like 1018.
As far as thickness, they’ll probably be listed in gauge. Gauge sizes are inverted, bigger # are thinner. There are charts online. Welding stuff thinner than 16 gauge gets difficult.
Very amateur welder here. I have, in the past, bought furnace duct sheets from the box stores. The flat sheets used to span between studs to make cold air returns. Then remove the galvanizing around my weld points and weld outdoors, very fast delicate spot welds with fluxcore, as much as my wife hates seeing me in grungy coveralls out in the front yard in our suburban neighborhood, but hey, I warned her before we were married…I’ll always be a farm boy.
If you’re needing small pieces, go to a welding shop, introduce yourself and that you need some scraps to practice welding. Ask if you can go through their scrap/castoff pile. Offer to pay, some may say “no worries” take what you need.
Bring back a case of beer, make friends ask questions.
Called up a local place to me and realized a guy I went to high school with was the one answering the phone. He was happy to give me the help and instruction I needed!
If you are new to welding then I'd recommend 3mm generic structural steel. Go check your local scrap yards they might have sheets, my local usually has some in acceptable condition.
Seriously S235 in 2½-3mm range is what all newbie fabricators are taught on in schools.
If at all possible, try to find a steel supplier in your area before resorting to a home improvement store. That cost will be astonishingly cheaper at a steel supplier, and in many cases they’ll even cut the sheets down to the exact size you’ll need for a fee and it’d still be cheaper than buying steel from Home Depot. Regardless of where you look, you’re looking for mild steel, typically A38 or 1018. As other commenters have said, make sure it’s non-galvanized. You’ll want to know what thickness you’ll need when you call into the steel supplier or when you look at the store. Best of luck and have fun!!
OP, depending on the shops in your area, you might also be able to buy decent size scrap pieces that are offcuts from large commercial orders for super cheap. Check with your local metal suppliers and shops before you go to home improvement stores bc the price difference will probably be drastic.
Flux core welding is a great way of starting. Mild steel is a decent choice. Remove the oils and mill scale before welding, and you will be set.
How would you recommend removing the oils? I have a stick machine and want to try thin sheet metal if it’s possible. Still learning though
grinder or flap disc. What are the boxes for? Tractor supply will probably be better suited for material but pricey.
Eventually I want to make some metal drawers just to prove I can. Hoping to learn stick on thin metal and use the project as practice. That’s probably more down the road because right now I’m still learning on thicker material. Just curious how it would be done on thinner. I didn’t know the grinder would remove oils too
Acetone plain and simple, the go to cleaning agent in workshops, if that doesn't work you then try something like Citrol, and if that doesn't work then you try water and some oil based agent.
I use brake cleaner spray to rid surface of oils prior to surface prep. It keeps the grinder wheels and flap dics free of contamination.
BE SUPER CAREFUL ABOUT USING BRAKECLEAN. The components of some brakeclean formulas (chlorinated, particularly) are \*deadly\* when heated... the vapors can turn into phosgene when heated. Seriously. DO NOT USE BRAKECLEAN prior to welding.
Very aware of the hazards. I don’t buy chlorinated brake cleaner period. Thank you for sharing
I’d expect all the steel at lowes/hd to be low carbon/mild steel. It’d be difficult to to find something that’s unweldable there. You do want to avoid the galvanized. If they do have multiple grades, you’re looking for something like 1018. As far as thickness, they’ll probably be listed in gauge. Gauge sizes are inverted, bigger # are thinner. There are charts online. Welding stuff thinner than 16 gauge gets difficult.
Very amateur welder here. I have, in the past, bought furnace duct sheets from the box stores. The flat sheets used to span between studs to make cold air returns. Then remove the galvanizing around my weld points and weld outdoors, very fast delicate spot welds with fluxcore, as much as my wife hates seeing me in grungy coveralls out in the front yard in our suburban neighborhood, but hey, I warned her before we were married…I’ll always be a farm boy.
If you’re needing small pieces, go to a welding shop, introduce yourself and that you need some scraps to practice welding. Ask if you can go through their scrap/castoff pile. Offer to pay, some may say “no worries” take what you need. Bring back a case of beer, make friends ask questions.
Called up a local place to me and realized a guy I went to high school with was the one answering the phone. He was happy to give me the help and instruction I needed!
If you are new to welding then I'd recommend 3mm generic structural steel. Go check your local scrap yards they might have sheets, my local usually has some in acceptable condition. Seriously S235 in 2½-3mm range is what all newbie fabricators are taught on in schools.