Weights Formulas

So. Dunno about other guys on here but i'm always on the hunt for good info regarding weights.
Some of you might know some might not, info is king and be the difference between a good day scrapping or a waste of time.
I have a notebook i keep of all relevant info to scrapping and looking to add more. Dont have much but willing to share what i have in the hopes that
people would be willing to share what they have. For example



Mass of Steel Plates.

Length x Width x Thickness x 7.85 ( Density per cubic meter of mild steel) = Total weight in kgs.

To work out other materials (Brass, Alloy) same equation but diff density. (can find lists online)



Pipe Mass Calculation

Outside Diameter (OD) - Wall Thickness x Wall Thickness x 0.02466 = kgs /per mtr x Length = Total weight in kgs.


If anyone has anything to help out other scrappers, throw it up and ill keep doing the same as i find it..

You're talking about bigger throughput than I work with. Interesting isea, though.

where i work we deal in tons , ferrous and non ferrous and ive applied that knowledge to my own scrap hustle...just trying to up my game,
if anybody is interested for recovery weights or anything along those lines please feel free to message me,
questions, comparisons ect...

This pdf has density of metals per cubic ft. Can do the math from there https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...=1578896760121

I usually use this tool here https://stardustimpex.com/tools/weight-calculator/

they are using density in their calculations too and are updating the same , I remember mailing them to get a density added and they did it the next day

I've been thinking about this. This information is nice to know, but with the mixing of alloys and metals, they are a little off. I wonder if that really makes a difference. I know in lead it made it useless, as the blends can really skew it.

I also think about copper pipe. 3/4 inch copper is all over the place. Just go to Menards to see that.

Here are few of "rules of thumb" that I have used for the last 40 years.

1) Steel: 1 foot by 1 foot by 1/4" = 10 pounds; Not exact but plenty close enough.
2) Transmission cast aluminum: 24 pounds per cubic foot. For small pieces of cast that will fit in barrels, just a hair more.
3) Aluminum transmissions: 22% aluminum, 3% dirty (50%) aluminum, 75% iron. Have not checked this in over 10 years, but with newer transmissions the aluminum ratio is probably higher, so no matter what, using these numbers you will never get hurt.
4) Iron transmission scrap: 60 pounds per cubic foot.
5) Yellow brass transmission scrap: 600 pounds per 55 gallon barrel.
6) Older inline aluminum automatic transmissions: 120 pounds average per. Some as low a 100, others at 145. Some later ones weigh in at 200 pounds.
7) Older aluminum automatic transaxles: 140 pounds per.
8) Older inline aluminum standard transmission/transaxles: 70% of above, buy 2 for 1 automatic price.
9) All cast iron transmissions: Weights all over the board, but safe buying at 2 for 1.
10) Transfer cases: All over the board but safe buying at 2 for 1.
11) Cast iron blocks, short and long mixed: Don't remember the exact formula but I think it was 57 pounds per cylinder plus 400 pounds per block divided by two = average weight. If they are all long blocks, at least 50% higher. Some long blocks push 800 pounds depending upon how "long" they are.

With these I can look at a pile of scrap and buy without losing my shirt and without wasting time weighing everything. Go in, spend a short time looking, make an offer, then either load or leave.