A few questions I could not find in search.

Maybe some of the guru's can help me out on this stuff. I tried search and have read a lot of threads but came up short.

Auto Relays---I get 10-20 of these from every car and can't find what to do with them. I have searched on ebay and there does not seem to be a market for used ones. New ones sell from 4-20 a piece. Any ideas? If I scrap then they should go in a copper bearing pile right? Like with small motors.

I have always separated the light steel(thin metal and mixed with plastic parts) from heavy melt(strut assemblies and control arms) But this last time I brought them in they said 30/ton for it all. When I questioned it they said that is the way it is. Could this be right?

Thanks for the help.

Quote:

---

I have always separated the light steel(thin metal and mixed with plastic parts) from heavy melt(strut assemblies and control arms) But this last time I brought them in they said 30/ton for it all. When I questioned it they said that is the way it is. Could this be right?

---

Their doing the buying, paying you money for an item, they can make the rules to suit their style. You can vote with your feet and if you don't like it then just take your material back home.

the point above by Mechanic688 is that each yard has their own rules and categories. You can always ASK if they still have the heavy melt category, but they might just be putting it all together since really there is NO money in steel right now for anyone. Call any other local yards and take the stuff where it pays the most...easy cheesy.

The yard I sell steel to has combined all grades of steel, they did this to keep their shredder going. I would rather they do this, then the alternative, quit buying steel altogether! They also set the "mixed steel" price in between, so they gave and took a little. A compromising "business decision" that not only businesses have to make, but so do individuals at times. This is called "adapting" to the realities of the global economics that exist today.

I do put relays in with the copper bearing and motors but some yards may not buy them in that category.

There's Plastic, Steel, Copper, Brass and Silver in the relays.
The contact faces will be Silver on a Copper slug. Not a high bearing Silver return though.
If most of the plastic case is smashed off them they should be able to go as 'electric motors' or 'Copper bearing steel'.

If you got a ton or more you could get a specific price for them.

Me? I have too much time and will scrap that sort of stuff for the Copper wire and Contacts/Silver.
And I have not found where I could sell it yet........

Thanks for the reply's. I just wanted to make sure it was common practice for the steel, it used to be different. I know I can go to other yards but this one I can see from my shop, It is a 30 second drive so it is worth it.
I will for now keep the relay's separate and next time I am there I will check on it. I almost have a 55 gal drum full :)