How to distinguish stainless steel from regular steel

This is the easyest way to remember. If a magnet sticks to it put it in the steel pile. If the magnet does not stick then put it to the grinder, if it sparks it's SS, no sparks it's aluminum.

Originally Posted by happyscraper

This is the easyest way to remember. If a magnet sticks to it put it in the steel pile. If the magnet does not stick then put it to the grinder, if it sparks it's SS, no sparks it's aluminum.

You can leave a lot of money on the table using this practice. 18-2 stainless steel is magnetic and is worth $0.10/# less than non magnetic stainless. That is still over 3x more than shred or the steel pile. I made a killing on 18-2 stainless, it is hardened stainless and is heavy. I get $0.35/# for it. Find a yard with an xrf gun to identify your metals if you have a lot and think it may be worth more. I go to a yard that knows there nickel content in the different grades of stainless.