3 Uses for Spring Steel that Might Surprise You

Posted by: Mike Baufield on January 17, 2020

Need A Guide?

If you're reading this, the chances are that you probably know what spring steel is used for in a general sense. In case you don't, we'll be sure to cover some of the basics with you before we get into some of the more unorthodox ways that it's used by people across the globe. If you're looking for information on the material itself, you can always download our free guides on annealed spring steel and tempered spring steel by following the links for each.

Safely Loading Metal Coils with a Forklift [How To]

Posted by: Chris Schwartz on September 10, 2019

Loading, transporting, and storing metal coils is pretty standard procedure at a metal service center, but we realize that might not be the case for other businesses, production facilities, and local artists we work with. Still, regardless of frequency, properly transporting metal coils will keep internal employees safe and protect the product from damage. Two things every business wants. In this blog, I’m providing a basic how-to for safely loading and transporting metal coils with a forklift. Let’s get started.

What are the Different Grades of Steel

Posted by: Mike Baufield on July 25, 2019

Steel is a combination of iron and carbon, but did you know there are more than 3,500 different grades of steel? A steel’s grade is determined by the amount of carbon, what other alloys it contains, and the way it has been processed.

Why is Copper the #1 Choice for Electrical Connectors

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on July 9, 2019

For nearly 200 years, copper has been the material of choice for electrical connectors. Copper has been used in electrical wiring since the invention of the electromagnet and the telegraph in the early 1800s, and became even more widespread with the invention of the telephone in 1876. Today, copper electrical connectors are still used in telecommunications, as well as power generation, distribution, and transmission.

All You Need to Know About Steel Alloys

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on March 25, 2019

If you’ve ever wondered what the most commonly used metal in the world is, you might be surprised (or unsurprised for that matter) to find out that it’s steel. Steel is strong and widely used. Many objects that you and I interact with on a regular basis are made of steel. Yet, with its popularity and applicability, many people are relatively unaware of steel’s various properties, intricacies, and uses. If that rings true for you, you'll likely find some interesting information in this post.  

Copper Alloy 110 for Thermal Conductivity

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on February 7, 2019

Copper alloy 110 has the second highest electrical conductivity of all metals. If you’re wondering which metal is at the top, it’s silver. But, you won't see silver wiring in electrical applications. Besides being considerably more expensive, silver lacks copper's other desirable qualities - like ductility and malleability. So, for the majority of applications requiring electrical and thermal conductivity, copper is a popular option.

Minnesota Business Partner Creates New Product

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on January 24, 2019

A Minnesota entrepreneur just launched a product he’s been working on for the last 35 years. Why am I talking about this here? Because that Minnesota entrepreneur worked with Mead Metals to source metal material for his product. But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Instead, let’s take a moment to meet Tom McMullen and the ClipDifferent Pro.

Mead Metals Customer Feature: KMC Stampings

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on November 16, 2018

Back in 1998, KMC Stampings was looking for a company they could work with who would support their needs and help them with some of their more niche requests. Specifically, they were looking for a materials vendor that could supply them a variety of materials in small quantities. You see, their existing vendors dealt in large quantities and didn’t carry the variety of materials they were seeking. That was when they first learned about Mead Metals. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves…

A Look at Mead Metals' Full Inventory

Posted by: Mike Baufield on November 5, 2018

As an industry-leading metal supplier, maintaining adequate inventory is an essential component of meeting the needs of our customers. It is our coil and sheet metal inventory that allows us to maintain efficient turn times and provide our customers with accurate lead times.

Mead Metals Customer Feature: Sons Tool Inc.

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on October 10, 2018

When it comes to smaller, niche metal service centers like we are at Mead Metals, every customer and every customer relationship is extremely valuable. We’re thankful anytime they’re willing to provide feedback or share their testimonial. Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with a Purchasing Manager from one of our long-term customers and learn what he appreciates most about working with us.