Thinking of scrapping alot of stuff...questions.

I have a huge amount of scrap material, machinery, tooling, etc. I haven't been selling it, just keep piling it up. Its gotten to the point now that I need to get some new machinery in, and I have to get rid of some stuff.

Its not worthless by far in my eyes, its an asset that by selling it I can hopefully use the much needed funds to grow my business. What has got me really interested in doing this is talking to one guy, said he was getting $290 a ton for (mixed?) scrap steel, and for prepped structurals, $400 a ton a few weeks ago!

So the first step would be calling around for prices, I'm not sure what I should ask the yards. My items for example are-

1. Forklifts, machine tools such as lathes. These are really big, heavy items.
2. Toolholders, gears, brackets. Small still very heavy items.
3. Desks, shelves, containers. Range for large to small, but generally bulky and light weight.

Now as I have so much stuff, I could sort it into loads that are categorized by size and weight as above. What should I ask the yards for prices on?

Thanks!!!

Ask about light iron or "shred" for all of your lightweight sheet metal. (I like to clear that stuff out first since its cheap and takes up a lot of room)

Ask about #1 prepared steel for your heavy parts. Generally metals that are 1/4" thick or more fall in this category.

For your equipment and machinery I would try to re-sell them first. I, for one, would looooove a big old lathe in my shop. You may get vehicle price for the forklift. If it's electric definitely remove the battery first.

Also look for easily removable copper, brass and aluminum from everything. The more you process the more you make, but don't forget to factor in your time. Non-ferrous metals will generally net you much more than ferrous (per lb that is)

HTH

Great, thank you for the info!

I hear you on reselling, but this stuff is really bad...however there is one forklift that works I am trying to sell for $650 with hardly any interest, but I figure at 6,000 lbs, 12 cents a pound, (if I can get that, not sure what the massive pieces like the counter weight will do) I am ahead of the game!

What about transformer type welders? Motor-gen ones I am assuming electric motor scrap, but not sure if/how yards buy the others?

tried selling to a other local business??

When i was a Mechanic (many years ago :) ) a business behind us closed down, he offered us the fork as we had used it a few times to unload motors and transmissions that arrived by crate. Maybe you can have a quick sale, and the can 'drive it away' ??

good luck.


Oh!! Also try local 'mens sheds' or hobby groups for the lathes and tooling..

"Mens sheds"???

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Originally Posted by skylinejackjr

"Mens sheds"???

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Is that like a man cave?

Yep, junkyard is a local business that will buy it! The question is in what form? :cool:

Believe me, I am a total machinery nut, if this stuff was any good or had resale value I would not consider scrapping it.

I do commend you for the attitude of saving it...just this week I found out about a brand new in the cosmoline planer that got scrapped as the storage space was lost. Vintage, top of the line American machine, unreal that something like that would exist! I would have loved to save it, makes me sick it got broke up for junk! :(

You might try a free classafied ad on ebay and put a couple of pic's with it, for the forklift. You might get a scrap yard to bring you a large roll off container and cut your scrap up in smaller pieces for #1 price.

250man, where are you located?

Forklift is on craigslist, haven't tried ebay classifieds, good idea!

I'm located in Ohio. :)

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Originally Posted by skylinejackjr

"Mens sheds"???

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I think they are small groups that pool their money together & buy up a shed & tools so they can go there & use them whenever they want.

Find out what each item will fetch at the yard, and post it for sale for $100 more. You'll get at least $100 more per item! Someone will see it and buy it, I guarantee. Just tell them you're not sure what it weighs.