Results 1 to 5 of 5

Copper "clad" grounding rod

| Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
  1. #1
    Jermscrap started this thread.
    Jermscrap's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Upstate New York
    Posts
    18
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Copper "clad" grounding rod

    How thick is the copper on a modern rod? I found one the other day while I was metal detecting. I was pumped when I saw it just laying on top of the ground. I immediately thought it was probably an old copper one, I put my magnet to it and it stuck! Dang-it-all. So just for shi#s and giggles I whacked it with my hatchet, it surprisingly had alot more copper on it than I thought. I would estimate the steel core not even as big around as a bic pen! I left it there because I was about 1 1/2 mile from my car and I couldn't see carrying that thing that far, just to get steel price for it.
    Do you think I could get more than steel price for it. There is only one mention of them on SMF and it says "steel price". Who knows I might get it anyways and try to shave the luscious copper from its irony core! It would be nice to add to my copper "hoard"(approx. 100Lbs.)
    I have another one that I found at an old burned down house that dates back to the mid 1800's. I didn't have my magnet when I found it( I was metal detecting for old coins) and I couldn't pull it out. I'm going to trek in there tomorrow with my magnet and a scissor jack to pull it out, just in case it is an "old copper one"! I'll let ya'all know tomorrow night!!
    Thanks for any input.



  2. #2
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Jacksonville, NC
    Posts
    4,917
    Thanks
    15,632
    Thanked 5,861 Times in 2,713 Posts
    The copper is very thin and does not add scrap value to the steel rod. If it still usable then it might make a nice ground rod for a ham radio operator, still not worth much. On the other hand it would be worth a return visit with the magnet. Best of luck, Mike.
    "Profit begins when you buy NOT when you sell." {quote passed down to me from a wise man}

    Now go beat the copper out of something, Miked

  3. #3
    1776Patriotism's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Dallas
    Posts
    37
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 15 Times in 10 Posts
    Those things are a real buzz-kill. Man, for one minute, you can't believe how much copper you got in your hand, and the next minute the magnet is sticking to it. It's just cruel, and copper abuse!

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to 1776Patriotism for This Post:


  5. #4
    KeyCityRecycling's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Iowa
    Posts
    94
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 57 Times in 36 Posts
    From time to time we get someone bringing in a copper clad grounding rod thinking they have a gold mine on their hands. I remember one guy even saying he weighted it on his bathroom scale and it should be worth $XX.XX dollars.

    The look on these peoples faces when we stick the big old magnet to their big heavy piece of copper is priceless.

    We then show them the pile of grounding rods we have stacked in the corner and say "Don't worry, your not the only one that thought they had struck it rich" and add their grounding rod to the pile after we pay them unprepared steel price for the rod which equals about $.60 cents.

  6. #5
    Jonniebrass's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    1,007
    Thanks
    582
    Thanked 496 Times in 296 Posts
    I get dirty copper price for things like that. Still disappointed but better than shred. The ones I had were clad with about 3/32 of copper.


  7. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. Replies: 10
      Last Post: 09-10-2013, 10:46 PM
    2. Recycling aluminum beer cans vs "open container" laws?
      By dirtymoney in forum A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
      Replies: 22
      Last Post: 05-15-2013, 10:41 PM
    3. For California Scrappers: "Intent to handle e-waste" notification for the DTSC
      By mrsamsonite in forum General - Let's talk business
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 03-22-2013, 12:42 PM
    4. Replies: 3
      Last Post: 06-27-2012, 10:00 PM
    5. Bypassing the "middle guy" for copper sales.
      By thirsty in forum Scrap Metal Prices
      Replies: 24
      Last Post: 02-17-2012, 09:17 PM

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook