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

[MossflowerWoods]

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

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I have two thoughts...

1) There is a cost to storing stuff. Whether it's figured in the other things that scrap metal displaces or in the number of times you have to move your scrap metal to get to other things or just the eyesore issue, there are costs to storing stuff. Only you can put a value on what storing the scrap metal is worth.

2) New metal cost a LOT more than what you can sell the scrap metal for. If you're ever going to need stuff like what you have, you will never find a better deal than keeping what you have.

Balance those two factors and you have your answer.

As for cleaning up the old stuff, it depends on how badly it's rusted. A little patina or surface rust won't take any more time to clean off than you'd normally put into prepping something for paint. A wire wheel on an angle grinder does wonders for old rusty metal. If the rust is bad enough that it compromises the strength of the steel then it's probably best to get rid of it.

My prediction... You'll keep some of the better stuff and toss the rest.

 

[Wnc3]

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.

 

[k0ua]

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

David I use rusted rebar to stake down cedar timbers for erosion control. Rebar pieces are good for a lot of other things. as for angle iron, if it is any good, you can clean up up quick before welding with an angle grinder and a flap wheel pretty quick.. but as said if is really bad,, well then maybe see if you can sell. I have used off of my scrap pile that was here for about 10 years. It is finally inside, but spent most of its life outside. If you ever get a welder, you will appreciate having some scrap.
New metal is very high dollar.

James K0UA

 

[monckywrench]

Scrap in one place is nice. When your "waste" pile gets large enough, sell that and continue to work your way down the "good" pile.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Defin save the rebar and even the cable. I have alot of cable that the plant scrapped and some was pretty good. I have ome that was in a dump a long time I used for cable gates and on drags and things we will use this cable.


I have some old spud poles from a dock that have a good bit of pitting on them. I use them for side shed posts and cleaned the scale off some and made some light stands for a country themed cafe. I painted them a dark green and they actually speced this material to be rutic looking.

 

[Wnc3]

It's all good to hang on to....until your friends and neighbors start referring to your place as Sanford and Sons, and call you Fred G.

 

[ptexer]

If you do much welding or fabricating you will need it. I am always buying scrap from the salvage yard. It never seems like I have enough. Keeping it organized can be time consuming. Built a 30 by 60 never thought I would ever need more space. wrong

 

[rhett]

Scrap = ???

Project Drops == good stuff!!!

I am forced to visit the Steel Yard for stock...

I honestly wish for more, not less...=...Luck Out and get Lucky.

 

[lostcause]

anytime you have clean drops or long pieces of used material with minimal amounts of welding on it, then it's good scrap. if you have thin stuff that has more stuff sticking out of it than quills on a porcupine it is not good scrap. light steel is not very expensive when new, and you'll spend more money in gas and grinding to try to remove and clean all the crap off of it than you will just buying a new piece, not to mention all the time it takes.