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I have been big on breaking stuff down especially with the drop in prices but starting not to break down dirty aluminum. $.40 for clean aluminum vs. $.23 for dirty. Figure this dirty price is better than time breaking it down, sawzall blades, trash and more steel for the pile. I had 160 lbs. of broken lawn chairs (in the past I would have removed every vinyl strap and steel bolt) but got $36.80 for them as is...
Talk to your buyer about how "clean" your aluminum needs to be. 90-95% clean is a growing trend.
you may be able to cut off the straps/webbing and use a hammer to remove steel rods. and sell the chairs with rivets and such still attached.
I have sold many aluminum storm/screen doors still screwed together with just the major stuff removed
No I wouldn't break down lawn chairs. Way too much work. I do sometimes cut the aluminum tubes and other quick cuts to make clean aluminum. And the other parts go into the dirty pile. Iron attached with screws, flashing with nails in it, plastic attached, etc. I would remove to make clean. If the weight after breaking down is 50% clean and 50% dirty, it's not worth the time for a few more pennies.
I try not to sell too much dirty metals until the springtime.. Then whatever is left gets hauled off.
simple math will tell you if it is worth it....at .17/lb how much can you process in an hour?? For me to make say $20/hr it would have to be almost 118 POUNDS to get that extra $20. I guess if you are a huge operation moving tons of the stuff, then ok...otherwise....send it on and work on more profitable stuff. your $$$ amount per hour might be different certianly...but that is how I look at ANY try of scrapping...can I make $X/hr...if not...move on as I have X amount of time to work...because I like to live more than work. :)
I take advantage of the 95% recovery a lot. Leave the clips on heatsinks, the steel on cast motor ends, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by MattInTheHat