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portable scale

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  1. #1
    wescrapmetal started this thread.
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    Scale truck

    Im playing around with the idea of picking up a cube van and scales to offer a service to pay for scrap metal by the pound from door to door.

    Does anyone here do this
    Do the scales have to be certified
    What problems do you think i could run into.






    The cube would be great for advertisement for getting more leads and customers.
    Last edited by wescrapmetal; 02-28-2012 at 07:28 PM.


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    I think we've had a number of threads about this, and yes, they need to be state certified if you're using them for business.

  3. #3
    wescrapmetal started this thread.
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    i searched all i can find was info on copper buyers. here in NS everything has to be inspected every 2 years

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    Most scales can be certified. Do an ebay search, seems like that's where most people buy them from. Are you going to be only doing non-ferrous?

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    i'd do hotshot deliveries in that thing, you could carry pallets too, all weather proof

    E350, that's a one ton plus!

  6. #6
    wescrapmetal started this thread.
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    These things are a dime a dozen around here.

  7. #7
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    Can't touch a good one for less than $10,000 around here.
    P & M Recycling - Specializing in E-Waste Recycling.
    If you enjoy your freedom, thank a vet.

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    Technically, if you are providing a service or purchasing/paying out any type of item by weight you are supposed to be using a certified scale.

    If you want to have a "certified" scale, You need to purchase a NTEP "legal for trade" scale. On top of that, depending on your state, they have to be inspected for weights and measures every 1-2 yrs. Here in VA, the authority over this is the Agriculture and Consumer Services. It may be different where you are.

    It can get pricey for an NTEP scale. I just bought 2 for our office. a 300/.1 bench scale and a 5k/1 floor scale. I think most scales that I've seen used by yards in box trucks are hanging scales.

    It would depend on what kind of weight requirements you need as well. My 300/.1 bench scale has a battery option and I can take it out and use it on the road in front of clients but I use this for E scrap. If i was weighing ferrous... 300 lbs would most likely not suffice.

  9. #9
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    I think that it is a very interesting idea. The only way to know if it would float or not, is to DO it. Try it out for 1 year. Keep good records, set it up all nice and legal, and I would think that you would have a respectible "air about your business that would put you ahead of the competition. Be sure to keep up with your mileage as you can deduct somewhere between .40 to 0.50 cents per mile as a business expense.

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    http://www.dr-copper.com/home.htm

    These guys seem to make it work.

  11. #11
    wescrapmetal started this thread.
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    Think I'm going to put a business. Plan together I work a 9-5 job so scrapping is my hobby I'm young early twenty no kids so this might be a start to agreat business without the huge risk of going broke.

  12. #12
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    sounds like a plan to me. Good luck. I started scrapping about 8 months ago and being the computer geek I am found this site very early in my scrappin life. I just started my own business this month and look forward to it growing. So good luck and it will happen for you if you make it happen.

  13. #13
    Mechanic688's Avatar
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    Think I'm going to put a business. Plan together I work a 9-5 job so scrapping is my hobby I'm young early twenty no kids so this might be a start to a great business without the huge risk of going broke.
    If you can buy the truck at a good price then if it does not work out, you can always sell the truck and scale and your really not out any big money, just a little time in your life. If it does work, you have made your niche.

  14. #14
    wescrapmetal started this thread.
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    i can pick the a cube van up for about 3000 i work for a materiel handling company so i can get great deals on scales. forget we sold them when i asked about them. i deal mostly with the forklift side of the company.

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    I recommend a liftgate on the back if your going to do this. Also at $4-5 per gallon.....you better figure out what is going to pay and what isn't bulk wise. Picking up 300 lbs of gutters and 300 lbs of #1 stripped have very different footprints in the box. What is your scale and moving equipment going to take up space wise in the box. Also think outside the plan a bit. Moble paper shredding. Hard drive wipes. A service you can charge for on top of pick-ups.

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  17. #16
    wescrapmetal started this thread.
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    Priced up a scale 2000 for certified. 5k scale

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    I actually use the Dr.Copper in howell, NJ. They have come to both my house and job site with a state certified scale. They even let me test it out. I see they are franchising, I may inquire. I LOVE SCAPPING!!!!

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    ScrappyAndHappy you are lucky to have state certified scale on your site. If you have a good starting then it is really easy to have a good ending. If you are on starting, Wish you best of luck. I think scrapping is all about menage all necessary equipment on time to avail all possible opportunities.

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    I think there are many companies on Ebay that offering NTEP certified scale for industrial and commercial use. And you can get accurate result with these scale without any issues of certification. These scales are little expensive than normal scale but you can buy from any local company which offer you cheap prices.

  21. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by wescrapmetal View Post
    Think I'm going to put a business. Plan together I work a 9-5 job so scrapping is my hobby I'm young early twenty no kids so this might be a start to agreat business without the huge risk of going broke.
    and if you do go broke it would be one sweet stealth camper. if you had to crash in the back no biggie


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