How to distinguish stainless steel from regular steel

Magnet doesn't stick and it sparks when you hit it with a grinder.

the bands from tv yokes are SS. some sweeper handles are SS - try cutting the edge with a side nipper, if its SS there's no way it will cut with those like AL will.

Some pieces from VCR's and printers are also SS as well , they are flat coverings over some of the boards and such - use your magnet.

Washer/dryer drums - IF you come across a SS one, they are low grade SS, I think I got less than 30 cents a lb for them so I don't bother taking them in separate any more.

Pots and pans are usually pretty easy to tell if they are SS vs AL. again, use nips to try and cut them or use the spark test if you aren't sure.

I'm trying to think what other items I usually have in my SS bin, if I think of more I'll add them.

there are many grades of SS, most of the items we find scrapping are of the 301 and 304 grade.

ETA: some pipes are SS but you have to make sure they aren't die cast - whack with a hammer, die cast will break but SS will spark

http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/scrap...k-testing.html

Spark testing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What kind of magnets are we talking? If they are hard drive magnets, then we have buyers for those on this forum.

Originally Posted by jennija

thanks for the tips guys, this one is for either one of you, i just scrapped a ton of aluminum pots and when separating the handles they all look the same, but half wont stick to a magnet and the other half will, does that automatically void the half that stuck to the magnet half from being stainless?? Also...not on SS I have a ton of scrap magnets, are they worth any more than shred? I've always just tossed em in my shred bin

Some handles will be steel, some will be die cast and some will be plastic. Wait, we are talking about Aluminum posts n pans right? lol, I think I'm getting confused now.

Let me put it this way,if the handle is soldered on, my yard will usually still pay SS (if the handle is on a SS pot)

Originally Posted by jennija

magnets from speakers and microwaves, some tv yokes

My yard just throws it in the shred pile.

where items are from often help solve the question.for example industrial kitchen anything is most likely stainless steel or anything that comes into contact with food will generally be ss. most of my s.s. comes from industrial applications where rust is not welcome, kitchen sinks, and mufflers, Where industrial ss is more likley to be non magnetic, household items usually have the magnetic s.s. i have yet to see a non magnetic s.s. muffler but i keep looking

when in doubt hit it with the grinder