When I first started scrapping

When I first started scrapping I always said "steel Sucks!" and I would pass it up to get the good stuff. I would pass on BBQ Grills as the frame was steel and so many other things. Then when I was trying to sell aluminum the guy would bust my balls over a steel screw or rivet. This started me to break items down. I would bring in extruded alum frames and a bucket of the steel screws with it. This got the guy off my A$$. And he paid $.01 a pound for the steel. As I broke down more items BBQ Grills I know had a steel frame so I figured take it in with my steel screws.

I no longer break down vacuums or carpet cleaners just cut the cord and add the rest to the shred. Even when steel was $.115 a pound I was still breaking down things to get the motors which were paying around $.30 and the wires were $1 a pound. Breaking down things is fun and I feel if you are starting out you should break down items to see what's inside them and then do the math if it is worth breaking down for extra cash or not. A Swiffer with the plastic on it weighs more than breaking it down so I had to figure out clean alum price vs. dirty alum.

Shred steel is normally the lowest price you get from a yard, but going to the yard with shred taught me many things.

Read the stuff here I have learned lots from this site. Made more money and some friends as well.

And some scrap quotes...
“People may laugh at me, but that's ok. I laugh all the way to the bank.” Mick
“Anyone who thinks scrappin is easy money ain't doin it right!" Olddude
"The first 50 years are for learning, the next 50 are for living." Patriot76

3 great quotes right there

...no cooler or goat? seriously?


I'm revoking your goat card and Cooler Puller Membership. ;)


Sirscrapalot - Yes I'm kidding, untwist the knickers.

How did Sirscrapalot not make the quote list?

If I'm going to come in fourth, it's good company to be a runner up to.

An they are excellent quotes.

hobo is my buddy tho, I gotta bust his chops.

Sirscrapalot - One love. - Bob Marley

Hobo Finds

Thank you for your reference to my quote. I need to change it to the first 65 years is for learning as every day is another lesson. To be included in reference to Mick and Old Dude is an honor.


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yeah me i dont like steel i just call a guy to pick it up when im done getting the non ferrous out=) i try and not do tv's since he doesn't take the tubes they are to much for me. i to cut cords cause the motors are so small and hard to get to on sweepers/shop vacs after all the cord is where the copper is lol.

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Originally Posted by mike1

yeah me i dont like steel i just call a guy to pick it up when im done getting the non ferrous out=) i try and not do tv's since he doesn't take the tubes they are to much for me. i to cut cords cause the motors are so small and hard to get to on sweepers/shop vacs after all the cord is where the copper is lol.

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Something you might want to think about is if you have room getting a decent used flatbed trailer with rails. You can put your steel on it until you have a full trailer load, then take it in to the yard. Just a few trips and that trailer is paid for. That is what I do, basically use my flatbed as a storage place for my steel after I have processed it, then take it in to the yard after the trailer is full. Realistically speaking I have made more from shred than all the other metals combined.

A lot of the time I do not worry about whether the "cash gain" is worth it or not. As much as anything else, processing scrap for me is therapeutic. If I have had a stressful day, often I will go to my processing pile and start to take stuff apart. It is relaxing for me.

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Originally Posted by wayne1956

Something you might want to think about is if you have room getting a decent used flatbed trailer with rails. You can put your steel on it until you have a full trailer load, then take it in to the yard. Just a few trips and that trailer is paid for. That is what I do, basically use my flatbed as a storage place for my steel after I have processed it, then take it in to the yard after the trailer is full. Realistically speaking I have made more from shred than all the other metals combined.

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This is excellent advice for every one that scraps. Why give away your profits? Benjamin Franklin is credited with a quote (unproven) "A Penny earned is a penny saved".

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Originally Posted by Patriot76

This is excellent advice for every one that scraps. Why give away your profits? Benjamin Franklin is credited with a quote (unproven) "A Penny earned is a penny saved".

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yes indeed good quote=)