When is "Free" scrap metal not a good deal???

[charlz]

As for rust removal, plastic bucket/tub/whatever and vinegar works great for smaller pieces. Have to let it sit in there a few days and most of the crap will brush right off. Buying vinegar at Costco is cheaper than buying it at WallyWorld.

 

[undercut]

I'm very, very green to welding. Any other suggestions for where I might get my hands on "scrap" metal? Need a lot to practice on and to possibly use for projects and artwork.

 

[chopped]

for some light angle Iron I have gotten some bedframes from the dump and also quite a pile behind the bed and matress store. I asked tha manager first.

 

[Ken45101]

If you have any metal fab shops around they might sell you their scraps or "drops". You really want to avoid galvanized though.

I know what you mean, I've been "learning" with a lot of rusty junk around the farm and that gives varying results. Some of it is so deeply rusted that it probably costs more in grinding disks than it's worth! My performance is so much better when I work with new steel.

Right now I'm cutting up an old wrecked horse trailer for the metal in it.

Ken

 

[magicheater]

Scrap the rebar and cable for sure....
The rusted rebar is not good for concrete work and the cable is not safe.
Fyi, The scrap value on theses is generally lower.

Why do you say that?

 

[flusher]

Guys,

I have already hauled over 4,000 lbs of various kinds of iron, aluminum, and copper wires to the scrap yard for cash, but now I am getting down to the good stuff I suspect. I have a large assortment of chunks of angle iron, steel cable, iron pipe, and maybe some 1/2" bar stock, some rebar (some is bent).

ALL of it is rusted heavily and has all been exposed to elements for like 6 or more years. Some of it is literally buried in my yard and I keep unearthing it.

The scrap yard pays top dollar for "clean" scrap iron in up to 4' lengths...

Is it smarter for me to sell it all or should I find a way to keep it, and how do I clean up the heavy rust, and how do I store it?

Thanks in advance,
David

You can use rust converters like Gemplers to restore heavily rusted steel

Gempler's Rust Converter Success Stories | Gempler's

Unless you need the money from the scrap dealer, I'd keep a half ton or so of that scrap for miscellaneous use as ballast on your tractors and implements.

 

[Ken45101]

You can use rust converters like Gemplers to restore heavily rusted steel

Gempler's Rust Converter Success Stories | Gempler's

Unless you need the money from the scrap dealer, I'd keep a half ton or so of that scrap for miscellaneous use as ballast on your tractors and implements.

It's sounds like the Gempler's Rust Converter leaves a protective coating on the rusty metal. That would probably have to be removed before welding. It also doesn't remove any of the rust and that's not ideal for welding.

Bottom line, this sounds more like a protective coating/sealer rather than what is needed to clean up rusty metal in preparation for welding.

Ken

 

[Iplayfarmer]

It's sounds like the Gempler's Rust Converter leaves a protective coating on the rusty metal. That would probably have to be removed before welding. It also doesn't remove any of the rust and that's not ideal for welding.

Bottom line, this sounds more like a protective coating/sealer rather than what is needed to clean up rusty metal in preparation for welding.

Ken

Cleaning up rusty metal for welding is done with an angle grinder. I don't really know if there's any better way. The rust converter stuff is what you use after you have welded to prep for paint.

 

[Ken45101]

Cleaning up rusty metal for welding is done with an angle grinder. I don't really know if there's any better way. The rust converter stuff is what you use after you have welded to prep for paint.

I agree. But flusher and Gempler's call it a "rust converter" that restores. I don't think it converts the rust, it just seals it.

Ken

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I agree. But flusher and Gempler's call it a "rust converter" that restores. I don't think it converts the rust, it just seals it.

Ken

No, it actually converts the rust by "unoxidizing" it. I doesn't make it back into structurally sound steel, but it converts it into a stabile substance that won't continue to corrode the adjacent metal.