
People are always looking for little shortcuts to get a few extra bucks out of their scrap metal, and we are here to help out. With so much money at risk by not knowing how to sort or separate a few different types of scrap metals, you have to be on top of your “scrap game.”
Little scrap hacks that we have found to help you make some quick and easy dollars can go a long way….let’s talk about a few.
1. Key Test – Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum
Don’t have a file handy? Use the key from your car or house keys to scratch to determine if you have aluminum or stainless. Aluminum will scratch very easily, and stainless will take much more effort to scratch. At the same time, this may not always work for your aluminum, whereas the stainless will be very easy to tell.
Suggested Reading: Difference Between Aluminum & Stainless Steel
2. Carbide – Magnet Slight Attraction
Maybe you are cleaning out a machine shop or working in a metal industry that uses carbide, but you stick your magnet to it, which attracts it. Well, an attraction vs. a solid connection is very different; that is where you can get a good idea of whether or not it is carbide. Watch our video on this below:
Suggested Reading: Scrapping Carbide
3. Use a Magnetic Broom
Work outside a lot? Maybe invest in a tool that you can sweep the ground with and pull out the small hunks of metal or screws that are on the ground so you don’t pop a tire and lose time and money.
Suggested Reading: 4 Things To Avoid At Your Scrap Yard
4. Warm your Scrap Wire in the Sun
Here is one of the best tips and scrap hacks that we have been able to find. In many parts of the country, during the winter and fall months, this will not work. But, in the warmer states, along with the more excellent weather during the year, this is a great tool. The sun will help you strip the wire much quicker than if the wire was cool. Ensure you know that the longer you leave it in the sun, the more it could melt the plastic to the wire.
Suggested Reading: How-To Strip Copper Wire for Scrap
5. Mini Transformers – Cut Off The Copper Wires
Cutting these off from wires and adapters is a great thing to do. You can take a hammer and slightly bash it after, and you will be able to get the transformer out of there. That will be a great thing to have for your scrap pile when you go to cash in at your local yard.
Suggested Reading: Scrapping Mini-Transformers
6. Chisel & Hammer Steel from Stainless Steel Sinks

Stainless steel is one of the most challenging items to scrap and get a clean price for. Here’s what you can do to ensure a clean price on sinks. Get a chisel to ensure all of the steel/rubber and other garbage is off the sinks. If you have a sink that has a rubberized bottom, do not even bother putting time in to take it apart…it will always be dirty. But with a chisel and a hammer, you can get the steel ring off the sinks, which will upgrade your scrap price at least three times as much.
Suggested Reading: Places To Find Stainless Steel
7. Sawzall – Cut Steel Ends Off Radiators:
With so many different types of radiators, you always want to have a Sawzall on hand to remove the plastic or steel ends. These are easy to find from auto repair shops, and you might be able to get them cheap because they are dirty and easy to upgrade them to make them clean.
Suggest Reading: Tools Every Scrapper Should Have
We hope that these scrap hacks help you out! Email us all your recommended scrap hacks to [email protected].