Steel Manufacturing Blog: Keeping it Steel

Specialized Parts, One-Offs and Made to Order

Posted on Mon, Dec 08, 2025 @ 11:20 AM

Each job has the potential to present unique demands and challenges.

RFQ’s come in regularly to The Steel Supply Company for something things as simple flat plate shapes that can be produced on a CNC Laser, Plasma Table or Water Jet, to much more complicated items that require production across a multiple of machines.

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Wedge Insert Supply Issues: Tariffs, Lead Times, and Why Compatibility Matters

Posted on Mon, Nov 17, 2025 @ 12:27 PM

Wedge Inserts and Askew Head Bolts are the go-to system for many projects requiring relieving angles that are secured to poured concrete slabs. Aside from exceptional strength they provide vertical flexibility. Together with the slot in the steel angle, which adds horizontal flexibility, they give the erector the ability to keep the relieving angle perfectly level and consistent.

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Overlooked, Lost, or Forgotten? Avoid Common Steel Fabrication Oversights

Posted on Wed, Nov 05, 2025 @ 11:47 AM

Overlooked, Lost, Forgotten or Last Minute

In the middle of a project, it doesn’t really matter why an issue pops up at the last minute. The immediate thing is to fix it and keep the job on track.

We frequently get requests marked “URGENT.” There are also the requests from fabricators who are questioning why the items they need are even in their section of the project. This simply means something went unnoticed and has the potential to set the project behind schedule and budget.

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Ceramic Weld Backing

Posted on Tue, Oct 21, 2025 @ 11:11 AM

Produce better quality welds while saving time and money.

Joining steel plate or bar, the “Root Pass” is critical to the efficiency and strength of the finished weld. Ceramic Weld Backing can provide an efficient and economical solution.

  • End to End (Butt Joint)
  • Tee Joint
  • Corner Joint (L Joint)
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Stud Welding:  Headed Concrete Anchors and Shear Studs,  Flux or No Flux

Posted on Thu, Sep 11, 2025 @ 05:09 PM

Weld Studs, also known as Headed Concrete Anchors or Shear Connectors, are manufactured with a small Flux Insert at the tip. (Fig. 1) The flux serves to shield the weld area from oxidation, maintains a consistent arc and cleans the weld area of impurities. All of this facilitates a more durable bond with the substrate.

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Welding Guidelines for Teflon® and Fluorogold® Slide Bearings

Posted on Wed, Aug 20, 2025 @ 11:05 AM

Care should be exercised in the placement and expected duration of the welds.

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Galvanizing vs. Electroplating

Posted on Thu, Jul 31, 2025 @ 04:24 PM

For the Steel Fabricator and Construction Trades Hot Dip Galvanizing is the standard zinc coating to protect against rust. One alternative, when a finer surface finish is required is Electroplating.

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Fiber Reinforced Slide Bearings

Posted on Wed, Jul 16, 2025 @ 11:15 AM

FRP Pads provide useful alternative to Teflon® and Fluorogold® Slide Bearings

Requirements can be related to:

  • Thermal expansion or contraction
  • Wind effected movement
  • Machinery Vibration
  • Seismic tremors

In any situation where a Slide Bearing is required an alternative that could be considered is the Fiber Reinforced Pad, or FRP.

                                                             

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Understanding Thermal Break Bearings: Thickness, Dew Point & Energy Savings

Posted on Fri, Jun 20, 2025 @ 11:01 AM

Two Unknown But Important Issues

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Two Critical Phrases for Grout Selection: Controlled Expansion and Non-Shrink

Posted on Tue, May 27, 2025 @ 12:57 PM

Fig. 1

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