Scrapping metal

[ajchien]

Is it worth scrapping left over random metal?

I got a old broken Chinese floor car jack, some old door hardware (lock, deadbolt, hinges). Maybe 50 lbs total. Does it amount to anything at the scrap yard? Or is it like 50 cents?

 

[frednoah]

50 lbs of steel isn't going to make it worth a trip with the way gas costs.

If you have room, sit it to the side and try to get a few hundred pounds together and then go.

 

[Full Throttle]

hinges and door locks are brass, brass and copper is all I scrap, 2$ lb or better.

usually by the time I have enough brass and copper I have 100#'s of steel which is about 12$ a hundred #'s right now

 

[pauldeere]

Aluminum is $0.55 a lb.

 

[Kevin54]

What I usually do is put it out front with a sign that says "Free Scrap Metal". If you don't have a lot to take, then it's usually not worth the effort of loading it and taking it down. More wasted in gas than what you get. Guys that scrap all the time usually drive around looking for it. Or put an ad in CL for free scrap metal. It won't last any time at all.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Depends on how far it is to the scrapper and what (how much) you have. Luckily for me, the scrapper is on the edge of town, right on my way. I can load up a few things and a couple bags of cans, swing in and drop them off.

Usually I have 10-12 bucks worth when I drop it off, sometimes more, sometimes a few bucks less. I've always had enough to pay for some lunch when I drop it off and run to town, makes it worthwhile to me.

 

[ajchien]

Scrap yard is about a 1 mile detour on my way to work. It shouldn't cost me that much gas/time to go there. If it pays for dinner, I guess I'd be happy. Seems like 50 lbs should get at least $20-$25?

I just didn't want it take it all there and have them say it's something like $1.59 - of which I would just keep the stuff as ... Scrap.

 

[dolfans]

Would anyone know if they take tv's?

 

[Norcal]

hinges and door locks are brass, brass and copper is all I scrap, 2$ lb or better.

usually by the time I have enough brass and copper I have 100#'s of steel which is about 12$ a hundred #'s right now

Most hinges are plated steel, locks prevalent today are mostly die cast w/ some brass.

 

[Victorymike18]

Would anyone know if they take tv's?

It varies by yard, but generally the scrap metal recyclers don't want TV's.

There are different recycling organizations that handle electronics, and here in NJ they're typically handled at the county level.

 

[dolfans]

The landfill here does but i am at work when they are open

 

[G_P]

http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/forum.php

Check here for all you'll need to know about scrapping.

I've been cleaning out the basement and so far have made 2 trips that got me about $260 each.

 

[chickenhauler]

Would anyone know if they take tv's?

I usually burn electronics before they go. I've never had a complaint about the little bits of glass and plastic on my mixed scrap. Fridges don't have to be burnt any more here, they send it all into the shredder.

 

[Randy in Maine]

I usually burn electronics before they go. I've never had a complaint about the little bits of glass and plastic on my mixed scrap. Fridges don't have to be burnt any more here, they send it all into the shredder.

Illegal in all states for a reason. Around here any Goodwill or Best Buy will take TV and computers for free.

 

[Fordman7795]

Scrap yard is about a 1 mile detour on my way to work. It shouldn't cost me that much gas/time to go there. If it pays for dinner, I guess I'd be happy. Seems like 50 lbs should get at least $20-$25?

I just didn't want it take it all there and have them say it's something like $1.59 - of which I would just keep the stuff as ... Scrap.

50 lbs of iron around here will get u about $5.50. If u have brass make sure its sorted properly and clean (no iron attached to it). By what you described sounds like under $10 worth

 

[RonRock]

The trouble with scrapping small amounts, is the very real possibility of getting a tire cut when in the scrap yard. In most of the yards I've been in you drive on top of shards of scrap, pretty hard for them to keep roads clean.

Just something to consider.

 

[RonRock]

http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/forum.php

Check here for all you'll need to know about scrapping.

Thanks GP, I'll check that out.

It would be nice to find a way to check scrap prices locally without having to call the yard every time. It fluctuates so much you have to call before the trip.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I keep a bucket for old keys, lock pins, and parts (all brass) and it fills up quickly...I think it's almost 2 bucks a pound here. I also scrap all my old wire (mostly low voltage)...price varies from 75 cents to almost a buck a pound.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Would anyone know if they take tv's?

Here's a list of places that recycle TVs in your county: http://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document...b37-9374-483b-ab10-4569b1441570&groupId=38361
Also, some retailers will recycle them for you; Best Buy is one but there are probably others.

 

[kyles974]

My cousin laugh's at me because I don't throw out ANY copper. Even if it's a 3 inch piece of wire. I told him, ya I'll be laughing when I take my family on a vacation in 5 yrs or so. (as of know, I have a 50 gal. barrel that's getting pretty full! (people I work around at my marina know I will take all the scrap copper. Last summer I got a hand full of 1ft sections of "shore power." (6/3, 6/4 wire) My big score was my Captain gave me his old shore power! Two cords 100ft long!!! (of course this are going to be welder extention cords for me)
It's in my blood because my dad always scraped metal.

As for metal and aluminum: I have an old geo tracker that get any good metal thrown into it. Once it's full, I'll be heading to the scrap yard. Ya, it may take a few years to fill up, but hey, why throw metal away if you have an area or "corner" you can throw it to? Plus, my nieghbor as a one man, small mechanic shop. He knows I save metal. In the last two years I have got: numerous number of mower blades, handfull of brake rotors, 4 aluminum radiators, etc.,
It all get's thrown in the jumk Tracker

Aluminum, I have a 30 gal. barrel almost filled.

.....it all adds up

 

[DoyleDee]

Steel only gets about 10 cents a pound here. Copper 2-3,brass 2-3(its lower than copper), aluminium 45-50 cents a pound.
One of these days I'm going to have to strip all my copper and take it in.....

 

[DoyleDee]

I'll scrap old car engines too....but I tear them completely down to seperate it out.
Years ago I had a guy stop and buy and engine and old trans for $10 each... I didn't think to actually scrap them myself...but I made $20 for nothing.
If you do plan to scrap, you will find you have several piles over time...it all adds up.
Oh, and car batteries are around 10 cent a pound too..

 

[99_xc600]

I recycled all of the aluminum siding from my house this year. Made out with about $600.00. Easiest money I ever made

 

[NUTTSGT]

My cousin laugh's at me because I don't throw out ANY copper. Even if it's a 3 inch piece of wire. I told him, ya I'll be laughing when I take my family on a vacation in 5 yrs or so. (as of know, I have a 50 gal. barrel that's getting pretty full! (people I work around at my marina know I will take all the scrap copper. Last summer I got a hand full of 1ft sections of "shore power." (6/3, 6/4 wire) My big score was my Captain gave me his old shore power! Two cords 100ft long!!! (of course this are going to be welder extention cords for me)
It's in my blood because my dad always scraped metal.

As for metal and aluminum: I have an old geo tracker that get any good metal thrown into it. Once it's full, I'll be heading to the scrap yard. Ya, it may take a few years to fill up, but hey, why throw metal away if you have an area or "corner" you can throw it to? Plus, my nieghbor as a one man, small mechanic shop. He knows I save metal. In the last two years I have got: numerous number of mower blades, handfull of brake rotors, 4 aluminum radiators, etc.,
It all get's thrown in the jumk Tracker

Aluminum, I have a 30 gal. barrel almost filled.

.....it all adds up

There's the key. Be patient and let it pile up if you can. If everybody knows you save scrap, they'll drop it off to you or tell you to come get it. I like the way you ended your post,. . . . it all adds up.


To me, it's free money.

 

[kyles974]

There's the key. Be patient and let it pile up if you can. If everybody knows you save scrap, they'll drop it off to you or tell you to come get it. I like the way you ended your post,. . . . it all adds up.


To me, it's free money.

It really does. I can't believe in I think 4 or 5 years now, which everyone knows how time goes quick, but how much copper I have by not throwing out the 3ft sections of speaker wire, etc.,

Sometimes in my off season, which is winter, I will spend a few hours, once or twice to strip the wire I have. I forgot to mention, I have 1/2 full, packed down of a five gallon bucket of clean #1 copper. Not sure the wieght. But like I said, in a few years down the road it will be a nice payday $$

I look at it as free money and money that does not get thrown out

Ya, since my mechanic next door know I throw it out back, he would rather put it in a corner for me then see it get thrown in the garbage.


I have thought about making some kind of "chute" for aluminum cans to be dropped down under the house. (part of house sits on blocks) But, since we hardley drink cola's, I haven't botherd. Plus it would have to be sealed, since insects can be a big problem down here.
(We don't have a bottle/can deposite down here in Florida.)

 

[evildky]

metal was about .15/lb last time I was in

 

[Chatam/Garage]

Last I checked junk vehicles are bringing $190 per ton in my area. There is always an ad or two in the local papers about guys willing to pick up your old junkers for free or even willing to pay a little just to take it off your hands. Word has it that all the steel is being put on rail headed off to China.
Maybe to be made into the next Toyota one buys!

 

[G_P]

China and India are rapidly expanding countries and they are buying up raw materials like crazy.

They are driving the price of scrap up higher and higher all the time.

Scrap your American car today and in a few months it will either be part of a bridge over the Yangtze river or will be shipped back here as consumer goods.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

chatham are you from nj if so metal is $360 a ton right now

 

[engineer2]

Scrap iron set out on the curb will disappear during the night.
I use old plastic buckets for aluminum, copper and brass.
Question: Is it worthwhile to tear down fractional hp electric motors or just take the "electric motor price" the scrap yard offers?

 

[NUTTSGT]

I take the "electric motor price". I do the same with wire, I don't strip it either.


I do know that when I parted out a Lightning pick up,('95 F150 reg cab short bed) I pulled all the wirng out of it, with the exception of the engine harness. I pulled it out of the loom and I had 20 lbs of insulated wire. I was surprised.

 

[localscrapper713]

Hey just wanted to jump in on the subject , since scrapping metal is my second job.

I live near an industrial business park and weave in and out of buildings on the way back

home. Its easy money , gives me a work out and I get a rush when I find items of value.

I usually organize all my scrap in the backyard and pile up about a long bed truck full.

Every 2 weeks I cash in about 200. to 300. cash money.

 

[localscrapper713]

As far as scrapping electric motors.... I choose to pile up on motors till I have about 20 or

so, and then pick a good day to break them down. Separate all your different metals, like

cast aluminum, brass , copper, ferrous metal. You just have to devote some time and

effort , and get to work. Of course , having the proper necessary tools will make it

alot easier.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Let mine sit 'till I've got between 500-2500 lbs.
Every now and then I'll have old appliances that people throw out or a truck frame.
I don't go out looking for stuff. Just kind of builds up over time. I don't really come across copper too much.

 

[Garage5.9]

I mostly scrap whole cars and get a measly 50$/ton but i try to get the most out of it by yanking the cats. Im working on picking up rotors/drums from several rental car places.

 

[lrhredjb]

Does anyone pay for old batteries anymore? I remember a couple of years ago seeing an ad that offered $7 for old car batteries.

 

[bad_idea]

I enjoy metal fab as a hobby. I also have a tendency to drag home hopeless projects. In the last 6 months I dragged home 700 lbs of steel that was left over from projects. I also had $20 worth of assorted copper, aluminum, brass. The pile was a big ugly eye sore in the back yard that filled the bed of my Nissan Frontier. Was it worth looking at the pile? Not sure. Am I working on another pile? Yeah....

As a side note, I kept all of my aluminum cans for 6 months. It only netted me $10 for that six months of annoyance of collection, crushing, and storage.

 

[mx842]

hinges and door locks are brass, brass and copper is all I scrap, 2$ lb or better.

usually by the time I have enough brass and copper I have 100#'s of steel which is about 12$ a hundred #'s right now

Don't take that money to the bank just yet. I carried some in last week and steel scrap (light steel) was only .06 cents a lb. If I had looked at the price before I unloaded it....and yes I had to throw it off my trailer myself, I would have carried it back home.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Here in NC, the copper thieves are so bad that the state has made it illegal for the average person to haul over 25 lbs, without the proper paperwork. See

http://law.onecle.com/north-carolina/66-commerce-and-business/66-11.1.html

 

[langss]

I cut up a subframe from an old Camaro I parted out. Hauled it all in 2ft sections to a scrap yard.I got $10. It cost me more than that for the Cutoff Wheels I used to cut it up. Bright side was it was gone. Next time it goes out to the curb and is gone overnight. Same thing for TV's....gone overnight. I rolled 4 old rusty wheels and tires from my Blazer out in the alley behind my house and they were gone in less than an hour.