First: Be on the lookout for a good magnet. For now, use a refrigerator magnet. If you get into scrapping you'll come across a nice one for sure. I have a stash of magnets that I found in an elliptical wheel motor thing - they are super strong. Computer hard drives also have 2 small, super powerful magnets in them. That magnet will tell you if something is ferrous. Generally, ferrous metal, such as steel/tin cans, are worth between $4 to $8 per 100lbs depending on the economy. This can be cumbersome to collect as it takes up lots of room and it's pretty dirty.
Second, buy a really good set of screw driver bits from harbor freight tools. You'll come in contact with more types of screw heads, that'll leave you scratchin' your head.
Things to collect, that are not magnetic, include:
- Copper wire (do research as to what #1 and #2 is) Generally, copper will get you from $0.60 to $3 / lb depending on the type.
- Insulated copper wire Generally, this will get you 0.60 / lb
- Brass (faucets) usually fetches around 0.60 / lb.
- Aluminum cans, doors, windows, ladders, LCD monitor backings, etc etc. Generally, aluminum will get you 0.50 / lb
- Motors (from dishwashers, washers, dryers, microwaves, anything that moves) can get I think 0.10 / lb
- Electronic circuit boards - Computer boards I'd recommend to sell using B*****], and not your scrap yard. This is because you can get $3-$6 / lb for computer boards and my yard only gives 0.06 / lb for boards. You can also pick aluminum heat sinks, and copper off boards. It's time consuming.
Consumer grade plastic will not sell in my area unless you are a large collector such as a recycling corporation. No one has ever returned my calls or emails, so I just toss my plastic with my trash. But believe it or not, that stuff is worth money, but the buyers do not want to waste time with small-time guys like me. They want to buy plastic by the ton, not by the pound. NPR has run several stories recently about how corporations are struggling to make money from the blue recycle bin pick ups because plastics used in product packaging is down, and consumers are putting non-recyclable material into the bins, slowing the sorting process. It's interesting stuff, I think.
I pick up almost anything because I have the time, and do not mind spending it, to scrap. I like microwaves. I use them as storage boxes for small shred metals like screws and just odds and ends. I LOVE dryers because they always have lose change in them, guaranteed. Radios, vacuum cleaner cords, TV cords (DO NOT pick up CRT TV's, the CRT glass contains lead), LCD monitors, bread makers, refrigerators, honestly, anything that can be plugged in (that's not smelly and in deplorable condition) I'll pick up. I personally do not pick up pure magnetic scrap if it does not contain other metals, such as copper wire or a motor, so I might let a beach chair pass me by, but I would pick up a treadmill. The only time I pick up just magnetic 'tin' scrap is if I am making a yard run that day. I do pick up cast iron, such as lifting weights - that's an easy way to add tonnage to your load - a few Golds Gym 45's!! Oh yea baby!! I don't get into gas motors such as lawn mowers - messy and I think hard to break down. Bicycles are just awkward shaped, and I find that takes up valuable space in my SUV when I make a scrap yard run, so I don't really pick those up. I like compact, or compactable, items.
More advice:
1.) Good luck.
2.) Be patient - you will not get rich, but you'll always have a nice stash of cash for errands.
3.) Welcome to scrapping.
Originally Posted by FLScrapperGuy1
Bookmarks