When I first started scrapping

When I first started scrapping I always said "steel Sucks!" and I would pass it up to get the good stuff. I would pass on BBQ Grills as the frame was steel and so many other things. Then when I was trying to sell aluminum the guy would bust my balls over a steel screw or rivet. This started me to break items down. I would bring in extruded alum frames and a bucket of the steel screws with it. This got the guy off my A$$. And he paid $.01 a pound for the steel. As I broke down more items BBQ Grills I know had a steel frame so I figured take it in with my steel screws.

I no longer break down vacuums or carpet cleaners just cut the cord and add the rest to the shred. Even when steel was $.115 a pound I was still breaking down things to get the motors which were paying around $.30 and the wires were $1 a pound. Breaking down things is fun and I feel if you are starting out you should break down items to see what's inside them and then do the math if it is worth breaking down for extra cash or not. A Swiffer with the plastic on it weighs more than breaking it down so I had to figure out clean alum price vs. dirty alum.

Shred steel is normally the lowest price you get from a yard, but going to the yard with shred taught me many things.

Read the stuff here I have learned lots from this site. Made more money and some friends as well.

And some scrap quotes...
“People may laugh at me, but that's ok. I laugh all the way to the bank.” Mick
“Anyone who thinks scrappin is easy money ain't doin it right!" Olddude
"The first 50 years are for learning, the next 50 are for living." Patriot76

How did Sirscrapalot not make the quote list?

Hobo Finds

Thank you for your reference to my quote. I need to change it to the first 65 years is for learning as every day is another lesson. To be included in reference to Mick and Old Dude is an honor.


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Originally Posted by wayne1956

Something you might want to think about is if you have room getting a decent used flatbed trailer with rails. You can put your steel on it until you have a full trailer load, then take it in to the yard. Just a few trips and that trailer is paid for. That is what I do, basically use my flatbed as a storage place for my steel after I have processed it, then take it in to the yard after the trailer is full. Realistically speaking I have made more from shred than all the other metals combined.

This is excellent advice for every one that scraps. Why give away your profits? Benjamin Franklin is credited with a quote (unproven) "A Penny earned is a penny saved".