Storage Auctions

The Storage Locker => General Storage Auction Talk => Topic started by: jeratbp on June 30, 2011, 07:55:37 AM

Title: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: jeratbp on June 30, 2011, 07:55:37 AM
we had some vehicle front seats (probably from a Dodge Caravan) and a bedframe in one of the units we just sorted thru.  we brought the stuff home last night for a bulk pickup from the city.  As I was leaving for work this morning, there was a guy who was taking the seats.  The bedframe had already been taken.  He said he can make money on the seats.

Is scrap metal worth the time and effort?  Can you get decent money for just a couple of items?

I know I will have to call my local recycling center and ask them about actual dollars, but just wanted to hear people's opinions.

- Jeremy
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: Fayettenam Man on June 30, 2011, 08:37:34 AM
My grandad always says you have to have alot for it to add up to anything, I think prices here (NC) are like $9/100lb. My issue would be making the yard look like crap to store all this junk until its time to take a load down to the recycling company.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: Jedi on June 30, 2011, 03:15:51 PM
Yes, if you know what you're doing, scrap metal is absoltely worth it.  Trash night is popular around here with people driving around looking for people like you who are just throwing out one or two pieces, like a bed frame, etc.  For ferrous metal  (a magnet is your friend here)  the rate here is $11.62/cwt  (hundred pounds)  so that bed frame, bikes, refridgerators, appliances, etc, can add up quick.  Depending on if you're in an area with a deposit on your soda cans, aluminum is also a popular scrap metal item.  Here people throw out their cans in the recycling bins, since there's no deposit.  cans are worth .62/lb currently.  There's a local guy that drives a golf cart around and collects the aluminum cans every trash night.  Then of course there's copper, brass, computer scrap, electrical motors, etc.  Anything that has an electrical cord has copper wire in the cord.  If you're throwing out an old toaster, cut the cord off.  Most scrap metal places will buy a collection of cords off you at the aluminum price, but if you strip off the insulation so you have bare copper wire, then it's usually another .90/lb above that.  (do not burn the insulation off...it's a hazard, and will change the color of the copper.  One scrap yard I've dealt with won't buy it if it's burned)
anyway, like emptying a storage unit, there's a lot of work in scrap, but there is some money to be made. 
Not long ago I bought a 10x15 unit that was full of scrap metal (along with plenty of other stuff):  chain link fence, old lawn mowers, bikes, etc.  Paid $200 for the unit, made a few trips to the scrap yard and made $260 in scrap.  Then I had all the non metal stuff to sell for profit.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: jrossjr79 on June 30, 2011, 05:42:23 PM
Really depends on personality and characteristics. Plenty of people make a living doing scrap metal. But just like reselling goods, there is work and knowledge involved.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: craiglstauction on November 30, 2011, 03:11:41 PM
For me the answer is yes and no.  I keep most things metal and break them down to a point depending on what it is.  Like this forum - I read 2 other "scrap metal" forums pretty regular.  I have 4 scrap yards near me and have started to check each of them out.  Today was my first load of stuff to a scrap yard.

I turned in a washer, dryer, old AC blower, and some odds and ends.  Had 600 lbs of stuff on my trailer at 12.75/cwt or .1275 lb that came out to be $76.50.  So that is another $76 I can add to my seed money.  Had a fridge on the truck also that they wouldn't take as the freon wasn't released yet or something.  Gave it to another scrapper that said the place right around the corner would take it.  He'll make $10 or so and I got it off my trailer so I could get to work.

Anyways - it doesn't take but 10 seconds to snip the cords off of everything you are trashing.  Find a bucket or tote and just start tossing them in there.  When it's full you can turn it in for some extra $$$.

It all depends on your time, space available to you, and effort you want to put into it.  The van seats that I got in one unit while heavy I just tossed in the trash also.  Didn't want to spend an hour cutting the foam and crap off.  The bed frame, headboard, etc. that is metal and can't sell goes on the scrap heap.

Like Jedi, some of the units I buy are purchased more for the "scrap metal" content I see then for the re-sale.

Check with your local yards to see what they will take.  Many don't take capacitors, e-scrap, and the like.  Others will take just about anything.  The more you seperate stuff the better you come out on non-ferrous stuff.  Stripping wires pays more then non-strip but sometimes the difference in price is so small as to not make it worth the time and effort.

Even if you don't scrap it's a good idea to keep up with prices on copper, brass, etc.  I'm sure you are already keeping up with gold and silver.  That set of cast iron pots you were going to sell for $10 may be worth $20 in scrap.  So you can at least get $15 for example from a buyer at the flea.  Junk pots and pans that you can't sell - scrap them as stainless steel.  That busted washer or dryer - worth a few bucks in scrap.  Set of bass door knockers - sell for near scrap at a flea.  You get the idea.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: Fayettenam Man on November 30, 2011, 09:26:07 PM
Wow what a blast from the past! Oh how my opinions have changed. Now my yard does look like crap, but my pockets have also gotten fat! Scrap metal goes hand in hand with storage auctions, with all the various metal crap your bound to get.

I actually just scrapped my second car today, an 89 lincoln - got $500 bucks. The engine was shot but it was still painful seeing that heavy machinary toss it around.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: Wayne on December 01, 2011, 12:05:36 AM
craiglstauction

Great post on scrapping.

A couple of quick bits of info. that may be of interest.

"Had a fridge on the truck also that they wouldn't take as the freon wasn't released yet or something."

Please do not think you can make just a little bit more money by releasing the freon from that heavy ass frig, freezer, or air conditioning unit. The fine is $10,000 if you get turned in and prosecuted.

"The van seats that I got in one unit while heavy I just tossed in the trash also.  Didn't want to spend an hour cutting the foam and crap off. "

It used to be that you could still sell those items that are not completely stripped or a given class of material, ie. #1 copper, #2 copper, etc. As mentioned, ask to see what they will or will not take.

"I actually just scrapped my second car today, an 89 Lincoln - got $500 bucks."

If the buyer does not go over the car with a fine tooth comb, before he gives you the price to buy, you may want to considering removing the radiator and heater core (copper) Also, you get more money for generators, alternators, and starters then just let then go as steel or aluminum. Depending on how deep you want to go, the wiring may be worth spending a few minutes. I think you should ask the recyclers you sell to it they take catalytic converters. I think they pay quite well for them.

Good luck to all. 

Wayne
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: craiglstauction on December 01, 2011, 09:25:31 PM
Wayne - don't worry - I wasn't about to just take the fridge home and release the freon.  I just hadn't thought about it before took the fridge...don't ask me why I hadn't.  Have a few relatives that do HVAC work so they have the equipment for next time.

I have 4 yards in my area, maybe 6 if travel a little further.  However, only 2 pay well.  The other 4 will take a few extra things but the price difference is pretty large.  Tin and other scrap ferrous metal I'm working to take in as I get a load.  The non-ferrous is what I'm storing up on.  Not going to bother with a load till I have close to 100+ lbs to make it worth it.  Wire doesn't take up much room stripped or unstripped.  I have plenty of walmart shelving and old paint/food buckets to store it in by type.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: rockin the retro on December 03, 2011, 08:26:58 PM
We (okay....actually my husband) took in a load of scrap that has been accumulating on our property for a couple years.  Brought home $297 cash.  So yeah it pays.  But it is physical.

My husband is an electrician by trade and we know the value of copper.  Now learning the value of metals, such as aluminum vs steel vs cast iron vs......  pain to sort, so this load (less the copper) basically went in one load.

The chunk o' change today will definitely influence how I view 'junk' lockers in the future.  If you have the truck/trailer and a strong back, scrapping is a great source of 'additional' income.

And thanks to this forum.  It never occurred to me to cut cords off dead electrical items.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: money4nothing on December 04, 2011, 08:41:47 AM

And thanks to this forum.  It never occurred to me to cut cords off dead electrical items.


Husband is a steel guy so scraping has been a part of life. Now he looks a little differently on the small stuff. And I am with you on the electric cords, and cutting the ends off extension cords. Never even crossed my mind.  :)

Heard a kid talking about the gold in cell phones. Said it is about .40 a phone, has a guy who will give him .50 phone. Sounded like to much work or total BS LOL
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: jrossjr79 on December 04, 2011, 10:55:42 AM
Husband is a steel guy so scraping has been a part of life. Now he looks a little differently on the small stuff. And I am with you on the electric cords, and cutting the ends off extension cords. Never even crossed my mind.  :)

Heard a kid talking about the gold in cell phones. Said it is about .40 a phone, has a guy who will give him .50 phone. Sounded like to much work or total BS LOL

Gold is an excellent conductor, which is why they use them in phones and computers. It is only a trace amount, and is very tedious work to get the gold out.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: craiglstauction on December 04, 2011, 05:30:22 PM
E-scrap can be worth money if you have lots of it.  In small numbers it's just about pointless.  In large lots you can sale it to a e-scrap yard or even online via e-bay and such.  I do this with all the computers and such I get that are crap.  The more weight you have in RAM, cards, CPUs, and the like the better.  Plus most computer stuff has some massive alum heat sinks that add up quick in weight.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: Clovis07 on December 07, 2011, 10:54:47 PM
The buying price of discard for each ton times the weight of the vehicle, minus the expenses of the tow line to have it after that a person pull the fuel tank, battery, and wheels. The actual container could be exhausted as well as holes place in it as well as returned towards the back again chair to add a bit of weight, and you can go ahead and take tires away following it is fallen to learn effectively in order to tow line.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: MovieMan on December 07, 2011, 11:14:30 PM
Reply #12 by Clovis...above....

more gobblegook.

I feel a Drew warning coming on.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: OldRoads on December 16, 2011, 08:09:23 AM
Old bicycles are usually good for scrap value at least.
Many of them have alloy parts (stems, seat posts, brake calipers, etc.) and these are worth taking off and scrapping at a higher rate than steel.

A 1/2 ton pickup load of bikes, usually 25 or so bikes yields about $75 (dirty steel - including tires, seats, etc. - nothing stripped off)
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: Todd Hamilton on December 16, 2011, 12:44:44 PM
dude.

if you see old bmx bikes, keep them out of the pile to scrap. 

I want them. 

Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: Cobia on March 16, 2012, 01:47:40 PM
Just took a load of scrap metal to the yard today. 620lbs yielded $81. Going rate is $13/100lbs.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: craiglstauction on March 16, 2012, 01:59:55 PM
Nice Cobia - I want your prices.  My shred price is $12/100lbs.  So 540lbs netted me little over $60 bucks.  Did sell a fridge for $15 and dryer for $25 from back of trailer.  Made a little over $200 this weekend between scrap and flea market.

Moral of the story - look for all the ways you can make money on a unit....even on the trash.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: bwd111 on March 16, 2012, 05:20:04 PM
craiglstauction

Great post on scrapping.

A couple of quick bits of info. that may be of interest.

"Had a fridge on the truck also that they wouldn't take as the freon wasn't released yet or something."

Please do not think you can make just a little bit more money by releasing the freon from that heavy ass frig, freezer, or air conditioning unit. The fine is $10,000 if you get turned in and prosecuted.

"The van seats that I got in one unit while heavy I just tossed in the trash also.  Didn't want to spend an hour cutting the foam and crap off. "

It used to be that you could still sell those items that are not completely stripped or a given class of material, ie. #1 copper, #2 copper, etc. As mentioned, ask to see what they will or will not take.

"I actually just scrapped my second car today, an 89 Lincoln - got $500 bucks."

If the buyer does not go over the car with a fine tooth comb, before he gives you the price to buy, you may want to considering removing the radiator and heater core (copper) Also, you get more money for generators, alternators, and starters then just let then go as steel or aluminum. Depending on how deep you want to go, the wiring may be worth spending a few minutes. I think you should ask the recyclers you sell to it they take catalytic converters. I think they pay quite well for them.

Good luck to all. 

Wayne
Had a fridge on the truck also that they wouldn't take as the freon wasn't released yet or something."

As Im also a hvac tech (freon) Is just a trade name from dupont like coke,nike,etc. Freon is a trade name Correct term is refrigerant ! And yes its a 200,000 fine or more for releasing refrigerant  in the air.The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer) is an international  But what you are missing ids the refrigerant is worth huge bucks and the second most trade product on the black market. R-12 and r-22 are very expensive. And refrigerant  never goes bad. Alot of folks reclaim the refrigerant  and make big bucks . Just my 2 cents
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: craiglstauction on March 16, 2012, 07:37:42 PM
I don't have to worry about the freon.  Is part of what the scrap yard does.  They set aside all the fridges and remove the freon.  They then sell it to one of the major refridgerant companies or something.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: rockin the retro on March 17, 2012, 08:53:37 PM
Nice Cobia - I want your prices.  My shred price is $12/100lbs.  So 540lbs netted me little over $60 bucks.  Did sell a fridge for $15 and dryer for $25 from back of trailer.  Made a little over $200 this weekend between scrap and flea market.

Moral of the story - look for all the ways you can make money on a unit....even on the trash.

Don did a big scrap run today.  We're running $11/100 lbs.  He did get .65 per lb of (clean) aluminum and clean copper wiring (I sat and stripped a bunch this morning from a recent electrical job) was $3.40 per lb.
Every little bit helps in this economy~

Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: craiglstauction on March 18, 2012, 04:26:45 PM
Hey Rockin - do you have a setup to strip the wire or you just do it by hand? 
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: rockin the retro on March 18, 2012, 04:56:32 PM
Razor knife and a glove~ ;)

This was #4 THHN that he pulled from a job at a church.  I used to make hand-punched copper lamp shades with a twisted rope (wire) trim, so I have tons of experience stripping copper wire. 

We don't bother with the little stuff.  That just gets turned in as is~
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: Alias on March 18, 2012, 05:55:26 PM
You do it by hand!? Respect. Way to lazy for That....


I had a hand crank stripper (no comments) but thought I'd weld a socket onto where the hand crank attached then stick my drill on it......it worked great.....for about 10' of wire. Then the whole thing siezed up on me.....    :-\
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: craiglstauction on March 18, 2012, 08:00:54 PM
Nice Alias - I'm like Rockin and do it by hand.  Have the new puncture marks to prove it.  Was testing out a new way to strip degause cable.  Did really well till I bobbled and dropped the knife.  BTW - hook blades work well for stripping.  Better then the straight blades I'm finding.
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: VinceRN on March 22, 2012, 08:32:49 PM
For Iron it's worth it if you have a place to keep it until you have enough for the trip.  I wait until I can pretty much fill the bed of my truck and get about $200 for a ton.  Taking small loads would not be worth it.

For copper it's very worth it.

Then of course there's silver and gold...
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: Bandit on March 23, 2012, 10:42:27 AM
  The wife did a yard sale at a friends mothers house ( mom passed )  and we were offered the scrap metal in the basement , freezer , hot water heater , table saw , 2 A/C .
 Went to look at it as I have a couple of A/C's to scrap  , and found motors pulled from appliances and saw and All Copper and Brass pulled from heater , just a tin shell ??
  As our 18 ft car trailer has a truck on it and 12 ft. has our mining gemstone mining sluice on it with all the " stuff " from the last fair , I would have to rent a u-haul trailer as He wants it out ASAP .
  One of the yards will take A/C's  and pay you ( most want $ 25+ to leave one )  at the " White Metal " price of $ 210 a ton for the WHOLE load (  Alum. , Copper , Steel Tin ,  etc. . )
  I can't justify $ 30 plus gas and 3 or 4 hours to make $ 50 to $ 60 dollars .                                          I told him to call one of the many scrappers that answered his craig's yard sale add.
Bob
Title: Re: Scrap metal - is it worth it?
Post by: craiglstauction on March 23, 2012, 04:19:32 PM
Dang - that would of been a nice scrap haul.

I now have both daughters doing the scrapping with me.  I think they really love being able to destroy stuff and working with tools.  I'm going to have to really up my work to find appliances and things to scrap.  Running out of motors and things to tear down.