6-K

FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of August, 2004

Commission File Number: 0-22774

RUSSEL METALS INC.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)

1900 Minnesota Court, Suite 210 Mississauga, Ontario, L5N 3C9
(Address of principal executive offices)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F......... Form 40-F...X......

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ____

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ____

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes ..... No ..X...

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	Russel Metals Inc.
	(Registrant)
Date: August 23, 2004	By: /s/BRIAN R. HEDGES
	Brian R. Hedges
	Executive Vice President & CFO

Documents Included as Part of this Report:

No.	Document
1.	Press Release - Pierre Brunet, O.C., F.C.A., Appointed Director of Russel Metals Inc.

EX-99

NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TSX STOCK SYMBOL:   RUS

PIERRE BRUNET, O.C., F.C.A., APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF RUSSEL METALS INC.

TORONTO, CANADA -- August 23, 2004  -- Russel Metals Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Pierre Brunet to the Company's Board of Directors.

Mr. Brunet is a consultant for National Bank Financial.  Prior thereto, Mr. Brunet served as President and Chief Executive Officer of National Bank Financial and Vice Chairman of the National Bank of Canada.   He serves as a director of several corporations, as well as several non-profit organizations.  Mr. Brunet has just completed a four-year mandate respectively as Vice-Chair and Chair of The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Mr. Anthony F. Griffiths, Chairman of the Board, commented, "Mr. Brunet's extensive financial experience and knowledge of Capital Markets will enable him to immediately add value to the Russel Metals Board of Directors.  His prior involvement establishing corporate governance and securities regulation practices provide additional expertise as well."

Russel Metals is one of the largest metals distribution companies in North America.  It carries on business in three metals distribution segments: service center, energy tubular products and import/export, under various names including Russel Metals, A.J. Forsyth, Acier Leroux, Acier Loubier, Acier Richler, Armabec, Arrow Steel Processors, B&T Steel, Baldwin International, Comco Pipe and Supply, Drummond McCall, Ennisteel, Fedmet Tubulars, Leroux Steel, McCabe Steel, Mégantic Métal, Métaux Russel, Milspec Industries, Poutrelles Delta, Pioneer Pipe, Russel Leroux, Russel Metals Williams Bahcall, Spartan Steel Products, Sunbelt Group, Triumph Tubular & Supply, Vantage Laser, Wirth Steel and York Steel.

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For further information, contact:
Brian R. Hedges, C.A.
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Russel Metals Inc.
(905) 819-7401
Web site : www.russelmetals.com
e-mail: info@russelmetals.com