Metal Turnings or Shavings

One machine shop I pick up from several times a week produces metal shavings that are stored in 55 gal drums. I'm amazed at all the different shapes, sizes and density that the shavings come in and how much of a PITA removing some off them from the drum can be. Right now I use a large aluminum ice scoop and put them in smaller containers to take to the yard BUT considering loading the whole drums in the van and leaving a fresh set to be filled. Getting them on the van shouldn't be a problem but unloading, tipping over and emptying could be a wrestling match.

Curious how others on here would handle Metal Turnings/Shavings.

**Pic is just a stock photo from PhotoBucket...not mine**

Iv seen a box of big/long spirals go for like 75 bucks on ebay as "art material" or something. Nuts. Iv never picked any up but if i had a drum full id consider using a big magnet maybe. Not sure how well it'd work but maybe worth a try.

Originally Posted by jord0690

Iv seen a box of big/long spirals go for like 75 bucks on ebay as "art material" or something. Nuts.

Never thought of Ebay...interesting. Those spirals are a real pain because they lock together and create a huge heavy mass that will chase you around till your bleeding if not careful. At $75 a box I could get over it though.

I THINK that's how much. De saw some though. Anything better than scrap value would work for me!

We get weekly deliveries of rags for our shop, we got the odd one with this stuff in it. **** it hurts cause you cant see it. One of the guys wiped his face with it and got a nice gouge out of his cheek. Bossman had a nice chat with the rag company. Not sure what was said but we dont find them anymore!

kz, you asked how others would do it, id take a scrap car up there and tell them fill it up , sent you a text on another option

I like the way you think^^

If you come across a customer that has several different types of metal shavings, you might ask them to sort them, and pay them accordingly. The reason I say this is that some metal turnings can be used in the refining process. If you are selling material to precious metal refiners like myself, and also had shavings or turnings to sell as well, people like myself might be interested.

I purchase zinc and copper turnings from a scrapper myself. I rather do that than pay someone else a premium for something that other people generate as waste.

Scott

make a mess that you will need to sweep up.

I always sweep and leave my area better then when I got there no matter who made the mess.

If you come across a customer that has several different types of metal shavings, you might ask them to sort them

Mostly steel but I do have drums there for other metal to keep them separate. I try to make it as easy as possible for them.

Wish they would ask for a Copper Drum to be dropped off.

scrap metal turnings | eBay