Originally written by Virginia Buechel, of iScrap App. Most of us know the value of recycling and reusing items like plastic bottleshand-me-down clothingand newspapers. Through reuse and recycling, we can reduce what goes to the landfill, reduce waste, and save on energy used to produce new materials. But one sector of the recycling industry that may not be as popular, but is just as important, is scrap metal recycling. Scrap metal exports are one of the largest in the U. And by recycling metals, we reduce the amount of ore mining throughout the world. Some of these metals include copper, steel, aluminum, brass, and iron. Unfortunately, these materials often end up in the garbage due to the lack of knowledge and sources for metal recycling. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links we will receive a small commission from the sale.
Learning the Gypsy Way
There are several tips and ways to prepare your scrap metal and collect the right items that can make more money on metal. The iScrap App was started by a scrap yard owner, so we know scrap and are constantly finding new ways to make more money on it. Taking an extra 10 minutes to separate your scrap metals before you leave your job site will add some extra cash to your wallet. Whether you use buckets, bags, or boxes to sort your material it is a step that is critical to making more money on your scrap metal. When you are confused on what kind of of metal you have we have a guide with photos and descriptions of common metals and materials when scrapping. If you are collecting metal when you are on the go whether you do it your truck or in your garage, have pre-labeled containers ready to sort and separate your scrap metals separately. This will save you time when unloading and weighing up at your scrap yard and also make you more money. Have your magnet handy at all times when separating your metals.
Sell Scrap Metal
Non-ferrous metals are more valuable at your scrap yard and will yield more money. So if you have them mixed with ferrous metals, your yard will most likely degrade the price for your pile. So to make the most money on scrap, be sure to separate it. With electrical items and machinery, it can pay off to take them apart. For the extra copper, aluminum, or motors that are inside, those items are all priced separately at the scrap yard, so like we mentioned before having them separate can make more money. When you are looking to strip your copper wire, it can pay off if you wait for a larger quantity to collect because when you are stripping the insulation off it is removing a bulk amount of the weight. So if you have 50 pounds of wire, you may only have 20 pounds of copper.
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So how do go about figuring out how to make some money of scrap metal if you don’t know anything about it? The most common forms of copper are copper pipes and copper wire. Also if we do have to clean it -how do we go about it? Thinking of de-cluttering and throwing that scrap metal of yours?
Take Apart Your Scrap Items
I wonder were you can bring in copper or steel by the bucket fulls and sell it that way mwtla Syracuse New York? Great hub an never thought of wrap, copper in that way. Thanks for sharing. Here is everything you need to know in order to learn how to recycle and make money from those scrap metal you want to dispose of. You can also find brass in hardware such as keys, door handles, light fixtures, and bathroom fixtures. Please i need advise. Javascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.
Recycling Scrap Metal Makes Money
Nell is a trained Psychologist and lives in London England. She has been writing since she was a child. Scrap Metal is a very good way to earn yourself some money and give your house and garage a good clean. But how do you know what’s what? Most garages have a collection or jumble of missing parts. Bike frames, skateboards, old car engines, etc and so on.
So how do go about figuring out how to make some money of scrap metal if you don’t know anything about it? Copper is one of those metals that you don’t really take a lot of notice off, and most people throw it away without thinking about it.
What in your house is made from copper? You can probably think of one or two bits, like a kettle or a a few jugs or vases. But you are missing one particular and major part in any household. In fact this is so proficient you will be surprised when you realise what it is.
How many wires have you got laying around the house? That old extension wire that was used in the spare room, curled up in a corner. Old computer plugs and wires mojey in a drawer. Get the picture. So how do you go about changing that wire into something that will make you some money? How to clean copper wire is an easy step by step guide that will teach you just how easy it is to turn scrap metal into cash. Now I have not lived yo years t a Gypsy without picking up some of the scrap metal habits.
I have come home quite a few times to find my kitchen taken over with copper wire tied to the door handles. And piles of shiny copper strips laying across the floor. Obviously most people will clean and scrap metal outside, but the thing with copper is that if you are only cleaning the copper from wire, it can be done inside your house. But what do you need? And of course if you are doing it inside, you need copious amounts of newspaper on the floor as your spouse may feel the urge to murder you!
Scrap metal dealers always use a magnet to make sure that all the metal is separated into the right piles. Copper is not magnetised. When you hold the magnet to it, it will just fall off. Some metals will be magnetised. There is nothing worse for a scrap metal dealer to see someone who has no idea what the hell they are doing, come into the scrap yard with a a big bag and a grin saying, ‘Here you go mate, I got you some metal’! The dealer will definitely not be happy.
And more important, you will only get a tiny amount of money doing it this way. For two quicj. One, it will automatically be regarded as second grade metal, which means it is not pure. And two, the poor dealer has to sort it out. You are not doing yourself any favours by trying to make the weight of the metal heavier, by letting other bits of metal stay on the copper.
Brass for instance or iron. The weight of the metal is the thing that will give you your money. More weight, more money. But only if it is pure. Mixing the metals will make the grade go. So don’t do it. Copper piping is pretty easy to recognise. We all know how shiny and red looking it is, if it is mixed with brass scraoing anything else the colour will be dull. Don’t forget the magnet. So if you have copper piping, just cut it into strips and make sure everything else, like plastic taps or cogs are taken off.
Copper wire can be stripped in a number of ways. You can use a vice to hold one end, and then get a pair of wire strippers and grip the wire with one hand and pull sharply. This can take a while but it is one of the best ways to do it. We have always wrapped it around a door jwtal, or I hold the wire while it is being stripped at the other end. It’s best to keep it at the long length whilst doing it as if bow cut it into strips it gets very fiddly and you are likely to lose half of the copper.
We always use a Stanley knife or just a sharp knife. It’s quicker but more dangerous to do it this way. One slip and you can lose a finger, so be careful! When the wire is stripped, wrap it around into a small ball. The tighter the better. Tighter equals weight! You can of course burn of the plastic covering of wire, this way is much quicker as it leaves the copper nearly cleaned of plastic, but black. The only trouble with this is, if it gets damaged in the flames, it will be regarded as grade 2.
So, just remember that rubbish in your garage may not be rubbish, it may be a little gold mine, well copper mine! It is best to use a knife when cleaning copper and metal. And its not good for the environment.
Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
I have, no2, a domestic appliance, that has gone green over time, is it a good idea to clean it, to get a higher price, or should I not bother? If it’s broken up into small pieces then no you don’t have to clean it. If its green then it’s obvious its copper. Sign in or sign up bow post using a HubPages Network account. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites.
Copper wire usually goes black if its been in contact with salt water. And it should be changed if you are using it for practical purposes such as plugs. If you are going to scrap it then its fine to either roll it into a ball after stripping or if you want to see the red colour then you can use sandpaper to bring back the colour before taking it for scrap.
Hi my son has recently got into this What does this mean? What should we do? Can we scrap it as it is or do acraping have to «clean» it?
Also if we do have to clean it -how do we go about it? Qujck you moneg very much for your insight. Hi, Yow am glad you found my article helpful. I am afraid that I cannot help you. This is how it’s done in Britain, I am sure it’s different in Africa. But good luck. Africans are going about it the wrong way by burning corper and as i have learnt from this article you only have 2nd graded corper when you do that, This burning of corper here in Africa is also done in a way that it pollutes the environment.
So i am doing a lot of reading to know how I can extract large chunks of corper from plastic wire without burning it. I want to start my corper extraction company here in Nigeria and also buy corper being extracted by me.
Monej haven’t got into copper wire yet mwtwl plan to collect some and do it soon. I just did scrap some old copper as my first scrapping project! I made this video here of me doing it. Thanks SpaceShanty, well who would have guessed? Just asked for clarification from hubby!
Hope that helps, and thanks! Firstly I tl to congratulate you on creating a Hub with excellent Google search placement, I think it was in position No. Secondly I have a quick question. I am thinking about making some cash from dealing copper wire. I am thinking about buying it with the PVC covering and stripping it for more money. I just want to ask what thickness of wire is considered ‘Bright copper wire’ and commands top dollar, is it just the type used in houses to bring power to the outlets or is any stripped wire, including power cables from electrical appliances regarded as bright copper wire?
Just wanted to suggest hand tools for stripping copper wire are the Scavenger Series copper wire recycler tools, found on youtube, check them. What a great idea. I’m going to tool around the house right now and see if I can find any scrap. Voting this Up and Useful.
I wonder were you can bring in copper or steel by the bucket fulls and sell it that way in Syracuse New York?
I made $1300 in one truck load of scrap metal!! Scrapping and reselling parts full time.
Money for Old Rope, Or In This Case Wire.
You may have heard or read mwtaal people who make money by selling scrap metal. Is this a legit side hustle? And if so, how can you get in on the cash? The truth is that there are a few different ways to make money from scrap metal. There are all kinds of legitimate side hustles these days. Read on to see if this is another option for you to try. Different types of scrap metal bring different means of profit.
Sell Scrap Metal
There are two basic types of scrap metal: ferrous and non-ferrous. Ferrous metals consist of iron, iron alloys, stainless steel or similar metals. Most scrap metal belongs in this category. Appliances and similar items make up most of the ferrous metals you can sell.
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