If you want to make some serious extra money on your scrap metal, now is the time to get refreshed on tips to help you make more at the scale. If you want to make more of a profit on your scrap metal, do it with reliability and efficiency. These strategies for scrapping can save you time, make you money, and keep you safe while doing it all.
Keep These Things In Mind When Scrapping
Stripping Copper Wire
When you collect insulated copper or aluminum wire, your first instinct is probably to strip it down and get to the good stuff from the inside. But keep some things in mind when you are about to strip. We like to use the rule that if the wire is the width of a pencil or smaller, it is probably not worth your time to strip it. One exception would be if the copper inside is single insulation (only one layer of plastic on the outside). Otherwise,
most wires will have smaller cables inside the initial insulation, which can become tedious to strip.
Suggested Resource: What Wires Are Worth Stripping For?
Separate Your Materials
Don’t be and mix everything. For several reasons, like ticking off your scrap yard when you sell it, but more importantly, you will lose money at the yard. Grab a cardboard box, 5-gallon bucket, basket, plastic container, anything. If you pull apart electronics or appliances with many different metals inside, separate them. Be sure to place the copper wire, copper pipe, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, and steel in their containers. Your yard will be thankful for the efficiency, and you can make the most money.
Suggested Resource: How To Separate Your Copper Scrap for Recycling
Find Scrap Prices
When you are looking to begin scrapping or are a seasoned veteran, knowing where to shop for the best scrap prices is important to help you make the most money on your labor. Just like those bargain shoppers out there, finding the scrap prices in your area is important before you head to your local scrap yard. Sometimes, you could visit the same yard repeatedly, but maybe the one a few miles down the road has better prices. You can use the iScrap App to research and find scrap prices in the area. You can also report prices on the iScrap App after you’ve visited your local scrap yard.
FIND SCRAP PRICES
Carry A Magnet
This is the only tool that ALL scrappers MUST have when scrapping. A magnet is a scrapper’s key to success and profit. Identifying ferrous and non-ferrous metals is as easy as sticking a magnet. If the magnet sticks, you have a more common and less valuable ferrous metal (steel, iron). If it doesn’t stick, you have a more helpful metal like copper, aluminum, brass, or stainless steel.
Grab a handy magnet for scrapping from Rockaway Recycling - the home of the iScrap App.
- 3 Colors Available!
Suggested Resource: Difference Between Non-Ferrous & Ferrous Metals
Carry A File
Another important tool that is always useful when scrapping is a file. Using a file can allow you to check the true color and metal you may have in front of you. Perhaps you think you have a piece of Brass, but if you use the file on it and file it down, you can see a silver color underneath, which could be aluminum or steel, which is worth less money. Also, files are helpful to check the color of wires. Some wires from sealed units or electric motors often have shellac that could be colored like copper, orange, or red. Using a file, you can file down the wire and see the color of the metal underneath the shellac. Sometimes, it could be copper or less-valuable aluminum.
Suggested Resource: Difference Between Aluminum & Stainless Steel
Invest In Tools
If you are getting better and more advanced with scrapping, it’s time to start investing in yourself and your job. Whether you are a hobbyist, part-time, or full-time scrapper, getting to the next level may require stepping up your tools. Investing in tools that make your job more efficient and easier can make you more money in the long run. If you spend less time taking something apart because the tools make it faster, you can spend more time finding scrap or getting new connections.
Suggested Resource: 8 Must-Have Tools for Big-Time Scrappers
Top Tools For Scrappers
Sawzall—A reciprocating saw, or sawzall, can be a great tool for cutting various metals. If you are taking apart radiators, you can easily clean off the steel ends to get a better price on clean brass or copper/aluminum radiators.
Power Drill—Having a power drill can save you time by automatically taking out those pesky screws from computers and other equipment. This can allow you to take apart items that have higher-priced metals inside.
Stripper—A handheld or electric wire stripper can be a big game changer. It lets you quickly strip copper wire to get to the clean stuff inside, making you a lot more money at the scrap yard and paying itself off.
Safety—The iScrap App Team always stresses safety when scrapping, traveling, and at the scrap yard. We have some important techniques and suggestions for scrapping safety, but always be sure to have the right protective gear on. Whether that is gloves, eye protection, steel-toed boots, hard hats, or safety vests, it’s important to think ahead and save your head when scrapping.
Suggested Resource: 5 Top Work Boots for Safety & Comfort for Scrapping
When scrapping, consider several things that can keep you safe and help you make more money on scrap metal. Always look for new opportunities and think about efficiency. Happy Scrapping!
