Scrap metal is it worth it?

Is collecting scrap worth it? I know non-magnetic scrap is worth more. If you do collect for cash, where are the best places to go, when and how do you collect it, legally? What tools are necessary? How much scrap have you put in a stock or upgraded tacoma?

 

I've scrapped various things around the house as they come up. Don't quit your day job for it. As I've replaced appliances and such I've disassembled the old and scrapped it. Fridge, ovens, A/C unit (must have proof of purchase to prove you didn't steal it), aluminum storm shutters... Copper is the premium material, steel and aluminum come far short in value.

 

it must be worth it... the scrappers are always driving around the hood on trash day looking for goodies to grab.

 

I'd say no. At least in my area. For gas money sure, but as primary income no. Two years ago it was worth it. Just recycled 2 tons of metal got $75. Two years ago would have been $300. Again this is for my area.

 

Carbon Steel won't get you very much. Stainless steels are worth a lot more. Don't group all non-magnetic steel in the same class as being worth less. Some stainless steels and duplexes are magnetic. I think most of these guys driving around with scrap in their pick ups and station wagons are happy getting a few dollars.

 

Scrapping is a hard way to make a living, unless you own the yard and have a rail siding.

 

Do you think they are investing heavily in their 401K's with all that scrap earnings? Or just buying beer and lotto tickets with it?

 

As others have done here, I scrapped metal as it came up when renovating my house. At first I thought I was gonna make a few bucks and had high hopes; spent all day being careful not to scratch my truck while loading it up, took the drive to yard, and walked out with $20. Barely enough to cover my gas, and seriously underpaid considering how much I charge per hour for my day job.

I find it easier to just go on craigslist and look for a local scrapper. They come with a beat to shit vehicle and a trailer that looks like it came from the depths of hell. Grab my shit and I never see them again.....judging by what I see, its not a lifestyle I want to be part of lol.

 

In my experience carbon or mild steel is not worth it. We scrap a few tons a month I give it to one of my employees we load up a trailer with a few tons and she doesn't even get over 100 bucks. Steel is way down right now and very rough on your bed and truck the damage caused to your truck alone would be more then you make in money. i think carbon steel is $0.06 a lb right now so you need TONs to make anything and the Tacoma can't handle that.

Just think you can put about 500lbs in a 2nd gen Tacoma before your on the bumps so over load it at 800lbs for the short trip and you have $48.00 bucks in your pocket!

 

now in 2017 the price of steel is "in the shitter" as the guy at the scrap yard says. They wont pay for steel unless you bring in a ton. copper is around $2.05 a pound lately and i just got myself a fancy wire stripper jig on Amazon for $38 paid for it on the first trip out. does a nice job on romex and stuff to strip the shielding off. bx is a pain in the ass so i just turn that in for the 10c a lb as is.

 

Cheap Chinese steel started driving the price down around 10 yrs ago. The US govt. finally hit them with a steep tariff 2 yrs ago?

 

i thought it was the Chinese that were buying all our scrap steel to begin with.

 

Google search "Chinese steel tariff ". The Euros are having the same prob with cheap Chinese steel

 

I do HVAC... We save all the copper and I do break down the coils. #1 copper is worth it! Steel is a joke. Most of the time the money in scrapping is not having to pay the landfill to take it. lol

 

Copper is where it is at for sure. That and Brass.

Like you said it’s better to drop the steel off for free than to pay my town dump.

 

Our last shop scrap run was 9000lbs and I walked out with about $110. Not even worth the time and stress on the truck/trailer.

 

platinum, stainless, copper, bronze, brass, titanium, is worth recycling but most people don't get enough of it to make them much more than a carton of cigaretts if that much. As I said earlier some stainless steels are magnetic. Most of the jockies working the scales don't know that and will only give you carbon steel price. I had the owner come out one time with his alloy gun after i told his boy that I has stainless and this grade is magnetic. He comes out all huffy and puffy and analyzes what I have and looked dumfounded when he found it was stainless. I thought this guy is the owner?