Scrapping Supplies: Basics and More

Supplies

Scrapping metal doesn't really require a lot supplies but there are a few things that will help. My recommended supplies can be found here. The amount of metal you can/will collect before selling it will vastly impact your supply needs. Always have at least a pound or more of each metal before scrapping it.

General 

Some supplies most everyone will agree are good, no matter the size of the scrap operation you run, include but not limited to:

• Info: You will make more money knowing where to look and what to collect. This seems basic but information is at premium in today's world. 

• Gloves: Sometimes collecting metal may be messy and some sharp corners and pieces can be a problem. Simple working gloves fit the bill and are cheap. Gloves are a personal preference. Wear what you like. 

• Magnet: Being able to quickly separate ferrous(iron containing) and non-ferrous metals is essential. Most ferrous metals are on the cheaper side so be prepared to collect a lot more of it to make good money. 

• Area to sort: From a few 5 gallon buckets set aside for different metals to a shed or dumpsters. Separating metals is important to get the maximum value from your metal collection.

• Scale: Weighing your metals is important to fetch the best rate. Yards pay more per pound for more metal. Knowing how much you have means you can call around and get the best rate.

• File: A file is a great little tool to have to see the true color of metals. Paints and shellac covered wiring and other metals makes it harder to see the true color. Pick one up and wonder not if that wire is copper or aluminium.

• Route or Other Collection Options: Traveling to certain places(collecting trash/scrap around the neighborhood, from local businesses or even just from friends and family*) or looking for bulk buys from Ebay or free metal on Craigslist. E-scrap is also valuable but frequently requires more initial effort to get the gold an other good metal bits. Regardless of what you do to collect scrap, creating a game plan and knowing where and what to look will help you collect scrap and make some money. 

• Vehicle: A car or van, preferably a truck, is required to load and get your metal from your house or collection to the yard. As stated previously, the more you bring the better. If you have to make fewer trips to get it all there, that saves gas too. Gas/fuel can be one of the biggest expenses you incur from collecting your scrap.

Wants- Niceties If You Have The Money 

• Trailer: A truck or van with a trailer would be great to load up and haul a lot of metal to the yard or “trash” to sort through. It would be worth it if you are serious about turning this into either a side hustle or full-time job.

• XRF Handheld: An XRF(x-ray fluorescence) handheld is really the only way a yard can determine 420 from 430 stainless steel or really any other variation, unless it is clearly stamped. This is impractical for most individuals as they start at $20,000. Yes, start at. As I have said before, a reputable yard will easily help you figure out exactly what you have with the one they have on hand. However if you can afford it, personally knowing what you have will allow you get the absolute best price for your metal.

*Always check with state and local ordinances on collecting trash. It is also HIGHLY recommended you talk to friends and neighbors and businesses before rummaging through their garbage or collecting it to find scrap. Certain businesses actually retain their ownership of their trash until it is collected for liability reasons. They are required to destroy old equipment and such due to safety regulations.