Ever wonder why aluminum turnings or other types of metal turnings are such a lower price in comparison to aluminum solids or other types of metal solids? That has been a question that we have been asked many times in front of machine shop owners as other scrappers who come across them.
Let’s start with the solid piece of aluminum or metal that a machine shop will use to start creating whatever tool or items that they are machining. That piece will go through a process of having either water or oil on it and it will be getting cut or milled out to get the proper shape that is needed for the end product…but then you have the leftover turnings or shavings from the aluminum or other metal. There will be a residue on these turnings that is oil or water and will have to be accounted for when the scrap is bought.
Those residues are the main reason that the turnings are bought at such a cheaper price then normal solids when you sell to the scrap yard. Many people will ask if the turnings can get cleaned…but that is almost impossible to do. One of the biggest deductions and down grading for turnings is because of the moisture that is left on them.
Scrap ya soon…scrap ya often!
-Tom
