Steel Studs/worth the purchase price

[Cremaster]

I have an option on 10,000 steel studs.
16 guage
92"
3 5/8"
staggered 4 hole
fold down ends

I don't know much about steel studs. I know that 20 - 24 guage is standard, they are wider than wood, and that nails don't work in them.

What could you use these for? What are fold down ends? Who would purchase them? What should they sell for?

I will probably pass on this one but googled this board out of the mire of the internet and you guys look like you know what you are talking about. I live in Tennessee.

[Gatorboy]

You build walls with them -- just like with wood studs.

You don't use nails, but rather screws. They are lightweight, strong, and are fire & mildew resistant.

[Cremaster]

Yea, but what is a good price on them?

[Gatorboy]

I'm not sure -- go to your nearest Home Depot or Lowes and see what they charge -- that should give you an idea.

[egon]

I'm not familiar with the metal gauge requirements but some metal studs are not structurally rated. They can only be used on non load bearing walls.

Egon

[Pat]

Egon's right again. Some are not suitable for load bearing applications and others replace 2x4 or 2x6 studs in load bearing walls. Some homes are built entirely without wood studs. A fantastic advantage is that they absloutely will not be eaten by termites. Most are galvanized and are pretty much resistant to any wood destroying organisms. You can "rot" them out but you have to work at it with dissimilar metal corosion, oxygen deprivation corrosion or some other UNLIKELY thing.

Pat