scrap metal storage tips

[thatcher]

what do you guys do to organize your scrap metal? pile in the backyard? bucket in the corner of the garage? I dont have a good metal supply near me so iv been trying to put what i have in a form that i can easly sift through and find what i need. i just made some little boxes for my little bits that were sitting at the bottom of my scrap bucket. i think it will be easier if they are separated into types but how far do i go with it. I would like to see what you guys are doing to your scrap collections.

http://thatcherworks.blogspot.com/2012/01/scrap-steel-boxes.html

 

[Flathead Johnny]

i have been facing a similar problem.....i like your idea and will give it a try

 

[quick60]

I like the idea I saw in another thread. Boxes like that with wheels on them sitting on the floor under the bench.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

The under bench box is what I plan. For now I'm using a cardboard box.

 

[cnc-me]

Steel barrel, when it gets about 1/4 full, it is then sorted into two halves of a
250 gallon fuel oil tank, that sits on an old trailer. Cast & Steel in one half, Aluminum and
Copper in the other.

 

[mzahn]

Mine is on 2 trailers behind the well house, no detached shop yet.

 

[toomany]

I do the pile in the back yard. Have a bucket under the bench for garage scraps.

 

[mad57]

Right next to a rotty or pitbull around here in nj the scum of the earth smell metal and will jump your fence and help them selves.

 

[Gearhead559]

im faced with the same issue. i have a large tote with left over exhaust tubing from all the custom kits i do. im thinking one big roll out under my work bench is what i need. i have other scrap covered

 

[Shadowdog500]

I do the pile in the back yard. Have a bucket under the bench for garage scraps.

I see this is your first post! Welcome to the Forum.

I keep a small metal bucket with flat metal scraps near the welder, and a little bucket with round scraps near the lathe. Anything I really don't care to keep goes in another bucket for the scrap man. I started keeping a 5 gallon bucket of wood scraps near the drill press, and those wood scraps come in handy.

Chris

 

[chickenfarmer]

Totes under the bench work good for the small stuff as well

 

[bad_idea]

5 gallon cat litter buckets. They have hinged lids and I have a never ending supply of buckets because of the wife's two cats.

 

[eldirector]

I have a 10-gallon Rubbermaid tote for smaller pieces of steel. I have some longer scraps that I need to find a better way to store. I hate piling them on a shelf. Maybe I need to build a little rack?

 

[keyser sose]

I am about to satart doing a lot of sheetmetal fabrication, and I still have quite a bit of leftovers/scraps from when I put floors in my el camino a couple years ago. I use those PVC tubs like for household storage to keep my scraps in. I keep an eye out and have picked up 3 of them of diff sizes, missing the lids, out of the trash.

BTW, DAR Collision Parts is a national chain that supplies auto body shops with repair parts. They also stock/sell 11-24 ga sheetmetal in 3 X 6 ft sheets and half sheets. I paid $39.95 for a full sheet of 18 ga when I did my floors (took 2 sheets).

They also stock every screw, bolt, clip, and/or trim fastener known to mankind, and sell them each or by the box. Good info to know, and every city over 30K population will probably have one of their stores.

 

[A29]

I've got an old kids desk. Three drawers ate still operating so I can sort out small tube,angles and other small shapes.

 

[danfromsyr]

I use a old grocery shopping cart..
put a plywood insert 1st if you don't want small stuff sliding thru.
*which is still an oversight on my part.

that way I can move it around and out of the way. though it generally lives in one corner of the shop. it's nice to sweep w/o hassel.

 

[A**holes Garage]

I fabricated a cart with tube verticals to hold the smaller pieces.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Do you mean usable small pieces of material, or stuff getting ready for the scrap yard?
I keep conduit and pipe pieces upright in 3 different 5 gallon buckets.
I have wire everywhere...mostly in bundles tie-wrapped together by type inside plastic tote boxes.

Keyser, the only location for DAR I can find is in West Virginia.

 

[keyser sose]

wow sorry Jeff, I woulda sworn it was national. if ya need any fasteners, I can check DAR for ya if needed.

 

[jeffmoss26]

We have quite a few suppliers here in Cleveland too

 

[Lhorn]

On a semi related subject, I don't have enough metal to make it worth it to take it to the scrap yard, so can I just throw it in the recycling bins that go out with the trash? The bins list metal cans, etc, but is it ok to just throw in rusty **** that I pull off when working on my car, short pieces of rusty rebar etc?

 

[NUTTSGT]

For the scrap (recycler) it goes into a metal 5 gal bucket. Copper wire gets rolled up and tossed beside the bucket.

For steel shorts (future uses) I have them in a tote (auto parts style) under the workbench. It sits on a dolly so it rolls in and out easily.

 

[bad_idea]

On a semi related subject, I don't have enough metal to make it worth it to take it to the scrap yard, so can I just throw it in the recycling bins that go out with the trash? The bins list metal cans, etc, but is it ok to just throw in rusty **** that I pull off when working on my car, short pieces of rusty rebar etc?

I spoke the facilities manager at work one day asking a similiar question (it came up in conversation). He told me he took a tour of the recycling operation when considering recycling for the company. He said the way they sort the steel out is with a big magnet. He said sure, go ahead. I personally do it all the time. I have never actually called to ask the recycling companie's opinion on the matter though. I do know they don't want greasy metal in there though, that becomes a hazmat issue.

 

[jeepjunky]

humm this made me smile. I buy most of my metal from a fab shop in town. They keep it sorted by gauge and type along with length. There "scrap pile" is neater than most places that sell metal.
Me I copied a idea from an old body shop I woked at. Cut a hole in the bottom of a 5gal bucket and set it on the pipe that the vice is mounted to. You get done just drop the scrap in the bucket...you working and need a piece...look down and grab what you need.
I think that Ill need to come up with something a little diffrent due to a large influx of scrap.

 

[1984Datsun]

Scrap pile out behind a barn...

A few boxes and bins of stuff that needs to be sorted and put into a better spot for easy access.

If it's rusty, clean it off. Otherwise, it ain't gonna hurt that much...

 

[Keep]

I have just built a new stand for my 4x6 bandsaw, the stand has 5 drawers, 4 3.5 inch for plate steel and a 7.5 inch drawer for the round, square and other stuff.

 

[bad_idea]

Modified a material cart to make it shallower to fit in a cubby beside the garage door. While modifying it I added two sheet metal drawers to the bottom of it to separate my small scrap metal.