SUPER New to This... EXTREMELY Basic Questions

I apologize in advanced, this is probably a dumb question.

I have actually never been to a scrap yard before or seen anyone scrap anything really.
I have built up a little bit of scrap metal (around a pallet full). I have not yet sorted it by type or anything like that. Do I just bring it all to the scrap yard and they sort what I give them (within reason) or are there different areas within the scrap yard where I go to sell each type of metal? Do I have to bring a minimum total amount or a minimum amount of each type of metal? Are there any videos on YouTube that show the whole process? I haven't been able to find any. Sorry for my extremely limited understanding.

Honestly, I think your best bet would be to call your local yard, or better yet go in person, and ask them how they want things sorted. Ask them to show you around, and if they have time even show you some of their sorted material. You will not get good pricing or make your yard guys happy by showing up with a load of unsorted stuff. Get a magnet and start with a pile that sticks to the magnet and a pile that doesn't. Then grab a beer or make a pot of coffee and read everything on this forum...

I'm thinking that I should just scrap non-ferrous stuff to start off. I definitely know the difference from brass to copper to stainless to pewter so it shouldn't be too hard or unmanageable to do that if I don't scrap the big stuff just yet (large steel/iron). I will just have to learn the difference between copper 1,2,3 and the subcategories of other metals over time. If I separate what I know into different bins I can just bring those to the yard and they will do the rest right?

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Originally Posted by TagSale

I'm thinking that I should just scrap non-ferrous stuff to start off. I definitely know the difference from brass to copper to stainless to pewter so it shouldn't be too hard or unmanageable to do that if I don't scrap the big stuff just yet (large steel/iron). I will just have to learn the difference between copper 1,2,3 and the subcategories of other metals over time. If I separate what I know into different bins I can just bring those to the yard and they will do the rest right?

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No. If you throw it all together, they are going to pay you the lowest price possible. No scrap yard I know is going to sort your metals into correct categories. You will have to do the work. If you want the best price, you will have to sort properly.

I would say it's a whole lot easier to scrap the ferrous first. Unless you have thousands and thousands of pounds, you really only need to know your yard's definition of light iron and heavy melt. And even if you mess that up you're talking a penny or two a pound difference, instead of the huge difference between copper bearing and #1 copper.

ya talking to your scrap yard is your best bet but also depends on the yard and their quality of service. most around here if you call and tell them they probally would give you a yard tour to show spots to drop off and the whole process of that yard plus if there quality they will show you differences in metals and what to look for and simple tricks to find out. also I would bring your metal with you not matter how small of load just tell them in advance and if there a good yard they will show you the difference in your own metals and explain it. some yards are not top notch or honest so be careful but most would be happy to do so if you call first and ask as they want your business time and again and maybe even get better pricing as some yards do for repeat customers

Definitely talk with your local scrap yard, you do not want to mix bare bright copper with #2 or #3! Wishing you the best in your scrapping endeavors.

my yard wants a certain thickness of #1 i can put braides bare bright as #1 and they wont accept it. they say braided or thin single wire is #2. what a joke right?

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Originally Posted by TheRecycleGuy

my yard wants a certain thickness of #1 i can put braides bare bright as #1 and they wont accept it. they say braided or thin single wire is #2. what a joke right?

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I have the same kind of issue with my yard. They don't have very many categories to start with and then they are real picky on thickness of wire for grading. Right now I'm just saving my copper hoping for better prices.

I recently took in a 5 gallon bucket filled with computer power cords. I had cut the ends off all of them. They paid my the lowest insulated price. I hate stripping stranded wire but feel like I got burned on that deal.

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Originally Posted by HipoGear

I have the same kind of issue with my yard. They don't have very many categories to start with and then they are real picky on thickness of wire for grading. Right now I'm just saving my copper hoping for better prices.

I recently took in a 5 gallon bucket filled with computer power cords. I had cut the ends off all of them. They paid my the lowest insulated price. I hate stripping stranded wire but feel like I got burned on that deal.

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There's two layers of insulation on it.

I didn't know that I have to separate the '_Tinned Copper wire with insulation on it' from the 'Bright Copperwire with insulation'
That cost me a lot. 200+ kgs worth....
Too much to separate, too much to burn off. Ca$h ruled.