Come and get Me copper!

[Bronson]

Well, not really....I have a couple rolls of refrigeration and plumbing copper laying in My shed. Also have a couple bushel baskets of cut off copper scrap. The copper is still rolled but has quite a bit of corrosuion on it. I wonder if I can take it to the scrapper in that condition, or does it have to be clean? It is copper left over from My plumbing/hvac work years ago. I have never sold any scrap, so not sure of the requirements. I know they watch for scrap theives, but I guess with an ID, and My old grey head, they will not think I am a crack head. Any advice? Thanks!

 

[danski0224]

Top dollar for copper requires shiny copper.

Solder joints, brown or green coloring is paid out at a much lower rate.

Call your scrapyard to find out what they pay, and ask how they grade it.

 

[rickairmedic]

Bronson the scrapper I use has 2 grades for copper tube / pipe.

#1 no solder joints or solder .

#2 has solder joints or solder on it .


They have never given me any issues on #1 due to it not being nice and clean as long as it doesnt have solder joints in it .


Rick

 

[AnotherCARNUT]

They will take it in any condition. The cleaner copper is the more they will pay. Less for the dirtier copper. My business takes me into the scrap yards that have to do with the electro magnets they have for the ferrous metals. Hope this helps.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

Best price for electrical wire stripped, next clean copper which yours is next is number 2 which has some joints or junk in it.
I just turned in some it was $3 plus a pound. Dark brown but clean coils.

 

[Bronson]

Thanks, Gents!

 

[danski0224]

Make sure you separate it by the grading process they give you. All green may pay less than brown.

Around here, a solder joint will bring down the price of the whole piece if you don't cut it off. Same goes for shiny wire, which is the top dollar per pound item here. Leave that wire mixed with #2, that's what they pay.

 

[1320stang]

Buddy scraps stuff, sometimes he soaks dirty stuff to make it bright. Then puts the lid on the container. No idea what he uses or how big of a container.

 

[Falcon67]

Be prepared to show your full ID, etc when you turn that stuff in. And if law enforcement is around, you'll get the Spanish Inquisition too. Lots of copper thefts. The yard I use had a swipe the reads all the info off my driver's license. They get audited regularly.

 

[stingry]

Be prepared to show your full ID, etc when you turn that stuff in. And if law enforcement is around, you'll get the Spanish Inquisition too. Lots of copper thefts. The yard I use had a swipe the reads all the info off my driver's license. They get audited regularly.

Just the opposite here, no questions asked, pay in cash!

Cheers
Steve

 

[lotsoftools]

Around here the yards are required to get proof of purchase if you bring in condensor coils or things like that. I just sold all of my excess copper wire bits the week before last, 8lbs brought about $22.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

fwiw thye cleaner the better but if you unroll the copper and cut it in 4' sections they (may) pay more

 

[1950ChevySuburban]

I have a roll of 1/2 copper which has patina'd into a beautiful green. I'm gonna use it artistically someday.

 

[slip knot]

Copper still brings some nice coin at the scrapyards. My scrapper takes a copy of the drivers license too. They are getting pickier about what they will take as well. I understand that burnt copper wire is no longer taken and if you got HVAC parts you have to have the freon recycle statement. Seeems they're trying to cut down on the thievery and pollution involved with scrappin copper.

My way of keeping track of the copper price is to see what 12/2 romex is going for at the boxstores. If coppers up you'll see $70 or so on the romex. When copper took a dive in 08-09 i bought romex at $35. Its back at $70 so copper is back up

 

[Bronson]

I dont have any wire, just some 1/4, 3/8 and 3/4 rolls, and some cut off ends. I just decided to clean out the shed , and I realized, I probably wont ever use any of that copper, rather have the coins....Thanks for the replies.

 

[mikester]

I spent a couple of nights stripping some scrap wire that I had in my basement that was left over from redoing my garage. I filled a 5 gallon bucket. I still have it sitting there. I think its close to 3.75 a pound here.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

my yard doesnt discriminate,its Roughly $3 a pound clean,shiny,dirty,it doesnt matter.