/r/ScrapMetal
Copper, Brass, Aluminum, Steel, E-Scrap, Pot Metals and more. Ask questions, share your haul.
This is a community that revolves around the recycling of scrap metal as a source of income. Anybody can be environmentally friendly by recycling, and they can also make some money along the way.
If you have any interesting articles on recycling junk metals, prices, tips, questions etc., feel free to post about it here!
Rules:
- Be civil and constructive when making posts or comments. It's fine to be critical of what someone says but it's not acceptable to attack the person themselves. If you see posts or comments that are not civil or constructive please refrain from engaging and report them and let the mods deal with them.
- Politics is off topic here. This includes, but isn't limited to, promoting or trashing political parties or figures, blaming political figures for economic issues such as scrap prices, etc. Take that kind of stuff to /r/politics and related subs.
- No promoting the burning of cable to remove insulation from wire. This includes content that is direct (ex. "You should burn the cable to remove the insulation") as well as indirect (ex. "I've been burning cable for years, it's fine.").
- No self promotion, or asking for business. This is not Facebook or Craigslist; people here are from all over the world, likely not your area. Use those platforms for those kinds of things, please.
Scrappers Pro-Tips:
Always use Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
- There are no excuses for not wearing safety equipment when scrapping. Whatever you're tearing open will not generate enough money to offset the cost of a visit to the doctor or ER if you need to go.
- Gloves should be the bare minimum of PPE worn whenever you're scrapping or performing scrapping related activities.
- Add eye protection and a respirator when you're breaking down materials, especially if you're using power tools and especially if you're cutting anything that generates particulate. (If you're using a respirator make sure it's rated for the materials you're working with.)
- Work boots may also be a good idea when you're tearing materials down but they're a GREAT idea when you're hopping into dumpsters looking for scrap.
- Make sure your tetanus shot is up to date and if it isn't (or if you're not sure one way or another) then call your doctors office and ask how to proceed. (This isn't strictly PPE but it fits well in the theme of this section.)
Do your research and proceed with caution
- Many commonly available items contain dangerous or even lethal materials. (The magnetron in a microwave for example contains ceramic made of beryllium oxide which is harmless in solid form but if broken can generate dust that can cause an incurable lung disease.) Researching items you're unfamiliar with before handling them is always a good idea!
- Many scrap items (especially appliances) that otherwise look clean or "just fine" may contain or be contaminated with chemicals, biohazards, rotten food, etc. Taking a few moments to assess an item before you pick it up or put your hand in it may be what saves you from a nasty cut, a chemical burn or being bitten or stung.
- Know your state and local laws regarding scrapping and related activities including but not limited to dumpster diving, trespassing, etc. Never assume that because it was legal in one state that it's legal in another.
Maximize your profits
- The prices at scrapyards, even those that are only miles apart, can vary significantly and may fluctuate daily. Call the yards closest to you for their pricing on the specific material(s) you intend to scrap.
- Prices can fluctuate wildly from day to day depending on the economy, world events, etc. Never assume that the price a yard paid you last week or even yesterday will be the same price they pay you today.
- Selling an item can sometimes be more profitable than scrapping it. Something that may be worth $5-10 in scrap value could be worth much more when sold to an individual, a business, etc. Do some research on Facebook, Craigslist, eBay, etc. to see if you can sell a working item before you take it apart.
- Transportation costs should always be factored into your decisions. Don't spend $5-10 in gas to go pick up an item that you can only make $5-10 on.
Magnets - Don't go scrapping without one
- What could look like regular old steel could be stainless steel, aluminum, or coated brass. These fetch a much higher price per pound. Learn the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Do you have e-waste you want to get rid of? Boardsort and CashForComputerScrap are both popular sites for selling e-waste.
Related Subreddits:
/r/ScrapMetal
54,543 Subscribers
Best I can do is three fiddy
04:37 UTC
How do I scrap this?
Received a few of these heat exchangers. Is there a market for these or do I just scrap? All brand new.
03:24 UTC
Scrappers Delight
02:44 UTC
My collection
01:15 UTC
Advice on ball valves.
I've got loads of new old stock ball valves I scored a while ago. A lot of them are in the packaging. I feel like they're worth too much to weigh in but I don't know what else to do with them. I haven't got the time to be selling them individually but I feel like scrapping them would be a waste?
22:58 UTC
Curious is it tinned copper or aluminum
Ps I’m not a professional I just love taking things apart and recycling them or melting them so please don’t hate on me thank you for all the help also not magnetic
22:25 UTC
I have a fair bit of bronze and brass marine fittings. Is it worth my time to further separate them?
This is a pile of seacocks I have replaced over the past year. The pile has gotten dangerously high so its time to go. To what degree should I separate the material? I'm not sure it's financially worth taking the time to remove all the handles, and certainly not to remove the ball from the inside of the valve. Any thoughts?
20:44 UTC
Need advice on electric motors
I am attempting to buy my first batch of electric motors from my local scrap yard they quoted me a price at 42 cents a pound currently I can drive a little farther and turn in the number 2 copper for around $2.80 a pound I'm located in Central Florida is that a decent price and is there enough meat left on the bone for me to make a profit what's your thoughts I appreciate any and all input
19:09 UTC
New used diagonal cutting pliers for scrapping
Make sure electricity is turned off at the breaker. Basically put a weld hole in my diagonals. Use an induction electrical sensor pen next time. Not great for eyes too. Glad it had good handles and I wear non-conductive shoes.
Like buying tools from garage sales to use for scrapping. This was one of them.
Anyone sharpen their diagonals? Diagonal Tool aftermath
17:57 UTC
I may come into possession of a lot of old smoke detectors, anything worth scrapping?
All I could find online was, no
Edit: For future people who come asking the same question, answers still no. The tiniest amount of copper in the speaker, maybe (maybe) a dot of silver, and yes there is gold! Mixed in with the radioactive part of the smoke detector, that is safely incased in a chamber. The risk and reward of messing with the radioactive part is a flake amount of gold, and radiation ☢️ . Just recycle your smokes and Co Detectors. Even if you where gonna come into a ridiculous amount of them, like I could’ve. Digging in your couch or collecting cans is better
14:32 UTC
I’m thinking fast and furious type situation. Any takers?
13:47 UTC
How did I do?
Been an electrician for many years, always turned in Romax. This will be the first time. I actually spent the time and stripped it all down to Bear copper we will see if it was worth it.
00:44 UTC
Buy?
10awg about 50lb worth. Couldn’t find any other info besides it’s 10awg on a 100lb spool. Long time lurker should I buy to flip on fb? They’re asking 15bucks.
21:55 UTC
New Software
hey y'all wanna get the word out about Koyote software which will increase efficiency in the sale of non ferrous scrap metals - be launching the end of this year but wanna get people on the East coast aware of it. Comment questions below
16:31 UTC
UMO: Unidentified metal objects ! Need advice
Hello everyone, I am still in the process of learning how to distinguish certain metals and I am having a bit of trouble with these UMO's here (Unidentified metal objects) 😅👍
If anyone could give me any thoughts or advice on what to look for, how to test them it would be very helpful for future refference !
The top left part was salvaged from an old air compression mechanism Got some wire insulation in the mix Old cable tv connectors A part of an old kitchen element in the bottom left corner And just misc nuts and bolts
All of these parts are not magnetic, could all of this be aluminium or ?
09:55 UTC
Do you guys think this will be #1?
This is all 3/0. How can I tell if the strands are big enough. We use all size wire from 8awg to 3/0 but I only ever strip my 3/0 because it’s easy and I figured it’d be #1. Would 2awg stripped be considered #1 or is that a waste of my time?
08:24 UTC
Scrapyard at the end of the rainbow
04:23 UTC
Where I can find unstripped wire in large quantities for export in the US?
02:40 UTC
Anything I’m missing?
I cut the sheet metal and bends off of the AC coils. Cut the solder joints off of the copper pipe and stripped the big fat wire. Didn’t think it was worth the effort on the little wire. Is the patina’ed copper pipe number 1 or number 2? Also there’s some brass in the bottom of the bucket with wire.
01:56 UTC
Sell or give as scrap?
Advised by a friend to post here so I this blade that was used in a cutting machine. It can't be resharpened or reused since it's used in commercial equipment and there are associated contracts.
So my question is, is this better to give as scrap? Sell to someone who can make it into something? Or just toss?
I assume it can possibly be made into a knife as it was made for cutting and has the correct configuration of hard and soft steel. Any input would be appreciated!
And if wrong sub, definitely let me know and even if I might have a better place to pose the question. I tried to searching and this seemed the best to start.
23:25 UTC