First ever trip to the scrapyard Today

Ok well I think i have been "scrapping" for about 4-6 weeks, but I had not taken a load to the scrap yard yet. At first i was only saving the copper and aluminum from items i found and disposing of the other parts. This was because i only have a 4 cylinder Camry and I would always see under prices they would list per 100 pounds or per ton. then about a week ago i actually ran across an older gentleman who was a scrapper and picking up items and i started asking questions. he told me they will take everything lol. I started thinking about all the microwaves, metal cased electronics and other items i removed the copper and aluminum from but disposed of the other metal, and wanted to kick myself. not to mention the many bed frames and other items i didnt even pick up , because i didnt think i could fit in my car. He showed me a nice little trick that helps solve that problem also.

Ok well i was looking at the stuff in the garage this morning and just anxious to see how much this was worth i decided to make my first trip. I wouldnt say i had a whole bunch of stuff because i definitely could have fit more in my car if i had too. I left home thinking i might bring back $12 to $16 ended up with $35 and some change. Its not much , but more than i was expecting, and without really trying that hard in that one week of adding metal to my scrapping. I AM HOPING when i finally take my copper and aluminum in to be recycled i am equally surprised. Definitely will be picking up the ferrous metals from now on

if a trailer hitch and a trailer, or a pickup are not in the picture, I'd at least be looking for a luggage rack to put on top that thing ; )

I think its time to look on craigslist for an older small pick up truck. Like an S10, doesn't have to be fancy its a scrapping truck.

if nothing else I'd be making a rack out of those bedframes ; ) Those are great little hobby rails, and used properly(such as NOT in a bed! haha) they are worth lots more than scrap

i had thought about a trailer hitch and the $182 trailer from harbor freight, but had not checked up on if its a good idea or not with the 4 cylinder ( I-4)

If you can come up with just the hitch then put an ad on CL or FreeCycle for a small boat trailer, slap a piece of plywood on there and take off ; )

Go with a cheap mini-van!

Ride in style baaaaby!

Sirscrapalot - Can neither confirm nor deny he rocks a mini-van..an likes it.

Still using my 98 Sable. You will be surprised what you can fit in a car when you want to get paid...lol. And when I ride in style its the Odyssey with a blanket thrown in the back so it stays clean and Mrs Brasscatcher is kept happy since thats her ride.
Yes I rock a mini-van once in a while SirS, and not ashamed to admit it:cool:

First thing is realize you got $22 more than you'd planned. You can put that in a separate account without giving up anything; plus a percentage of the planned on amount. Three or 4 more runs and start looking for a small, lightweight trailer the Camry can handle - even if only 2-300 pounds, it will make a lot of difference. Pretty soon, you'll get an old pickup and a bigger trailer. Sell the old trailer to a new scrapper. Keep this up - it works. There are several here who did just that.

I think everyone starts scrapping to make extra money in the beginning. Not to invest in something that may or may not pay off later.

I wouldnt worry about the size vehicle you have. Make what you can with what you have. As your profits go up and the extra money allows, expand in order to increase your earning potential. It's just my opinion, I am who believes in financing nothing. Keep at it and as Mick said, set aside a percentage for investment in your scrap business. I too started with "free" items and $40 loads. Not "big" yet but I am getting close to covering all of my monthly household expenses woth my part time scrap business, which was my initial goal, so that both my and my wife's income goes directly into savings and other various investment accounts.

so wait..your saying Size doesn't matter? Darn it...


Sirscrapalot - /Zing!

i started in a $300 van i bought. fixed it up and it was a champ. made me alot of money before i retired it a couple months ago. i sure do miss it,

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Originally Posted by BRASSCATCHER

Still using my 98 Sable. You will be surprised what you can fit in a car when you want to get paid...lol. And when I ride in style its the Odyssey with a blanket thrown in the back so it stays clean and Mrs Brasscatcher is kept happy since thats her ride.
Yes I rock a mini-van once in a while SirS, and not ashamed to admit it:cool:

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the older gentleman scrapper who gave me a few tips and pieces of information, was driving a 95 honda accord, he had taken the bottom parts of the seat out the backseat, he had the trunk packed, he told me its like a rubiks cube. i think its more like tetris lol

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Originally Posted by Mick

First thing is realize you got $22 more than you'd planned. You can put that in a separate account without giving up anything; plus a percentage of the planned on amount. Three or 4 more runs and start looking for a small, lightweight trailer the Camry can handle - even if only 2-300 pounds, it will make a lot of difference. Pretty soon, you'll get an old pickup and a bigger trailer. Sell the old trailer to a new scrapper. Keep this up - it works. There are several here who did just that.

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yep, and the fact that at first i wasnt even picking up ferrous metals, and those pieces of metal that came off stuff i was disposing of.

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Originally Posted by heeroyue2002

i started in a $300 van i bought. fixed it up and it was a champ. made me alot of money before i retired it a couple months ago. i sure do miss it,

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wow $300 van, you bought it from a friend? I am scared when i see $500 cars thinking they will end up costing me an extra $500 in the first month from repairs alone.

Thanks for your time reading this comment, and I appreciate your comment 99problems!
Anyway, here's my scrapping history (or most if it [I've been selling to Beltrami Recycling, since I live in the Bemidji area):
79$,
37$,
20$,
55%,
5$,
148$,
137$.
Anyway, I believe that's about how it's gone so far!
It's a way to get rid of a lot of garbage and make it worth your time to bring it to a facility, I believe!
So far I've brought in only one catalytic converter--if you find any of these (legally, such as from people who are replacing the CAT on their automobile) it's certainly worth your time to bring them in! They can go well over $100 sometimes! However, the one I've brought in (it was from a 1990 Plymouth Acclaim LE) fetched me 45$. Also, it was VERY difficult to remove the CAT from that model (we were disposing of the car).
If you have any trashed cars around to get rid of, these are probably worth about $100 or more per piece as scrap.
However, if they aren't running and you have no way to transport them (as it sounds you do not) you can remove the more valuable pieces and you may be able to find a charity which is willing to still remove the car for free + send you a receipt which you may use for a tax deduction. :D
Kars4Kids was kind enough to drop by and remove our car--I'm still waiting for the receipt however-it should arrive in the next few days!
Do you have any junk computers laying around you could scrap?
These contain about $10 per piece in precious metal content!
Well, thanks SO MUCH for your time!

hauled in a load of cars today 4600 pounds at $210 ton, $480 , truck bed was full along with 24ft trailer

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Originally Posted by 99problems

yep, and the fact that at first i wasnt even picking up ferrous metals, and those pieces of metal that came off stuff i was disposing of.



wow $300 van, you bought it from a friend? I am scared when i see $500 cars thinking they will end up costing me an extra $500 in the first month from repairs alone.

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no. saw a non working advertisement on craigs near christmas time. iniatially wanted 600 but we bargined and i towed it home. i was the 3rd owner and the 2nd was the one who tinkered with it and caused it to not run. cost me about $50 to get er going again. with the seats out it was like a longbed truck. drove it to san diego and even texas a couple times.

i actually have another van i picked up for less then that one. dreading fixing it as i have to drop the engine to change the head gasket. Toyota

Vans rock..mini or full size.

Specially when you can remove the seats. An you can still have room for your cooler! Ok so maybe thats only important to me..lol.

Sirscrapalot - "It seems a fine line between being a matador and being a rodeo clown" - Jase - Duck Dynasty

I've hauled over 300 lb of misc steel to the yard a few times in my Taurus. It works,,

I'd call that a great start!:winner:And im in the same boat as far as no truck. But i do see a trailer hitch and a trailer in the future of this 17 year old Cyr Ls that im driving. Told my wife about your adventure, she said that had it been me that 35 bucks would have paid half the water bill this month. So if your married--watch out, wives cut into the profit margin. Another tip for u, if u haven't already thought of it. You'd be surprised how much cast al, brass, u can get in a 5 gal bucket. It all adds up. U did good one your first run. Keep up the good work.