Advice please! My first major scrap: department store fixtures and shelving

I just joined this site because I'm interested in scrapping metal and electronics. I haven't done much before because I haven't had reliable transportation, except for a 5 gallon bucket of stripped and coiled copper wire 10 years ago from a construction job I had (I got $100, enough to get a tooth pulled). Now I have a nice vehicle (not a truck but very roomy), and a friend who does alot of scrapping and has a pickup truck.



I work at a Sears which was built about 50 years ago, and the new Loss Prevention manager needs the attic completely cleaned out for a fire inspection. It's mostly metal shelving supports and some odds and ends like pumps, motors, brackets, etc.. He said I can take basically everything metal that's not bolted down.

My friend and I will have to carry everything down a flight of stairs that has a landing in the middle. We can use the hand trucks and some basic tools that the stockroom uses, but I was wondering if anyone has any tips for carrying this stuff down the stairs, and possibly dismantling some things before carrying down. Would straps be recommended?

Also, what items should I pay special attention to? I know some things are better to resell rather than scrap.. would the pumps/motors be worth doing that or scrapping as iron? There are some random things like light fixtures, any special processing for those?

And another question.. my friend says all this will fit in his pickup, even after I told him I didnt take pictures of it all. I'm very roughly estimating all of it will come to at least 1500 lbs. Most pieces are 8 - 9 feet long, some larger. How many trips to the scrap yard would we have to make? We plan to sell to scrap yard, take gas money out, and split the rest 50/50.

Thanks to everyone who helps me out with my first big scrapping job! I'll keep you posted about how it goes.. We're doing this Friday morning.
- Martin

Well, 1500 lbs by me would get $45. You split that, minus expenses and it's not worth doing. Since the manager NEEDS it gone, I would be charging for removal.

Without knowing what kind of motors you have, I couldn't say. Some I tear down. Most go into the motor pile and get sold as is.

Killyrtv, if U decide to take on this job, check with your yard what the maximum length of an item that they' will accept. My yard wants pieces no longer than four feet. Anything longer = a reduction in payout.

My question is since you work for this company will you be removing the metal during regular working hours and getting paid your regular pay. And what about your friend. Does he work for Sears also?
If the answer is no then I wouldn't touch it. Have you checked the prices for scrap lately?

Get some photos and post them here.
Its allways interesting to see what others are doing and gives us a idea of what its worth and how to deal with it.

I saw a post for matador saying to let a few pounds of air out of the tires of the dolly. Can I ask why?

Thanks for the great advice guys! I'm going to be doing it off the clock. I'll check back here later when I have more time and ill post pics.

Do it, just don't get hurt (anyone) and don't damage anything in the process. Also make sure EVERYTHING you take is OK TO REMOVE. If all goes well you will still have a job, a happy boss (for helping him out) and a FEW dollars for you and your friend.

Pictures: Sears Scrap - Album on Imgur

We mostly took the stuff in the 3rd picture, turned out to be warehouse shelving posts, very heavy, between 8 and 10 feet long. We managed to fit 1967 pounds of it in (and partly out of) a Jeep Cherokee and a minivan. (#2 Sheet) We also took 2 motors weighing a combined 149 pounds. We ended up getting $72, which is ok by me, but my friend was disappointed and he didnt want to pick up a 2nd load. By the time I went back myself for another load, scrap yard was closed so I picked up some odds and ends I can process further and/or resell. Light fixtures, electrical conduit, cash register drawers, etc. I'm going back tomorrow, there's more of that heavy steel in shorter pieces. I really wish we could get the other 2 motors, they would bring us some good cash, but they are too heavy to carry down the stairs, much less lift. I'm going to see if they will come apart into pieces.

"In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty." Proverbs 14:23

Nice job!!

I took these ballasts out of some light fixtures.. they are electronic and marked No PCBs. I dont know if they are any good or not. Should I try to resell them whole, scrap them whole separate from the wires, or try to break them down? http://i.imgur.com/Kwz0tuJ.jpg