Originally Posted by
CopperSquirrel
Here are a few tips:
1) Youtube videos on scrapping (electric motors, appliances, air conditioners, etc), can help you learn what and how to scrap.
2) Obtain two magnets. Keep one in your vehicle and another in the area that you will disassemble items.
3) Select tools that you will be using. Wire snipers, bolt cutters, socket set, crescent wrenches, bench vise and a host of other tools are needed to disassemble/strip scrap items.
4) Don't take or even buy anything that should have a title, that does not have a title. You do not want to be accused of stealing. If someone is trying to sell you a vehicle, etc. for scrap and they do not have a title, then they probably do not own it.
5) Visit you local scrap yards and see how they want items prepared. If you bring in items to their liking, you build good rampart with them. They would rather not sort through items, that you could have organized in the first place.
6. Obtain 5 gallon buckets to put wire and other scrap items in. Used ones from restaurants or even buying them at a discount store. Some lids are good, too. You need someway to sort and organize scrap.
Five gallon buckets are great for small items.
7. Research the scrap laws for your state. Releasing Freon into the environment is considered a no-no. Learn what you and the scrap yards have to go through to stay legal.
8. Prepare to buy items. Keep some lose cash on yourself. Someone may want 5 or 10 dollars for an item. If it is an older item (dish washer, etc.), it probably has a higher copper content than a newer model.
9. Have a pickup, trailer, etc. available to haul items, if possible. Something on the curb will not stay their long.
10. Set a price for when you want to sell. Personally, until copper is being bought for $5.00 again, I will stockpile it. All my copper and brass are awaiting sale when the price is right. In my area, aluminum prices are higher in the spring. The amount of secure storage space will probably how much you will stockpile.
11. Consider giving out business cards. People can look you up later, when they have replaced appliances and want to get rid of items. If they call and you say that you want it, pick it up ASAP.
12. Emphasize to people that they are recycling. People feel very good about having their junk recycled. If you can take it off there hands for free, you benefit, too.
13. Use safety equipment, as needed. You will not make any cash, going to the emergency room for a cut hand or other injury. Work boots, gloves, hard hat, two wheel cart, etc. are part of the job. Assure the party that you are obtaining scrap from, that you are safety oriented. While you may have a chance to obtain scrap, some parties will not let you have it, because of liability reasons. If you show that you are safety conscious, they may be more apt to let you in on the scrap.
14. Try to keep some type of record of dealing with the scrap owner. If Bob the store manager send you an email and/or text, about scrap, keep the record. If something comes up, where you are accused of "stealing" the scrap, you can show that the owner, manager, etc. allowed you to take it.
15. Look for buildings that are going to be demolished. Contact the owner, etc. and see if you can scrap items. Every building has A/C systems, water pipes, appliances, etc. that can be scrapped. You just have to find the window of opportunity and ask for permission.
Good luck in scrap collecting!
