Is it worth scrapping left over random metal?
I got a old broken Chinese floor car jack, some old door hardware (lock, deadbolt, hinges). Maybe 50 lbs total. Does it amount to anything at the scrap yard? Or is it like 50 cents?

You get more if it is "cleaned"- meaning sorted. Separate brass, copper and aluminum and you will get a better price.
I had an old aluminum extension ladder that I took the white metal and steel parts off and got $60 for it.

Car jack has oil in it so they're gonna hit you for that. It's probably not even worth your gas money anyways.

Is scrapping worth doing? It really depends,but I've paid my insurance,bought goodies for the bikes,bought ham radios and on and on.....from the money I've made scrapping junk metal. And that's just doing it a little at a time, mostly stuff other people are throwing away,old mowers and tillers,junk window AC's and the like. Every time I take a pickup load off it's $75-$200.

Worth it to me for 5 or 6 hours a month!

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 09/29/12 at 19:36:33:


Dang JOG.....what "police state" do you live in anyway???? No, on second thought don't answer that...Might bring repercussions to your neighborhood!  That just flat out SUCKS !!!

ZAR wrote on 09/29/12 at 19:51:36:



The scrapyard is in Longview Texas,,Of Course thers a "reason",, people stealing copper.. Well,, CRQAP, REally? You mean to tell me they cant tell the difference between some guy comin in once or twice a year with the kind of crap ya build up if youre doing some work around the house & one ancient window unit & someone who comes in every coupla weeks with a coula hundred pounds of copper?  Nooo,, its just soo much easier to play "Guilty till proven innocent",,

I brought 76 lbs of aluminum to a scrapper and barely covered my gas money.
Good aluminum. 6061-T6.

Edit:
Found the receipt while cleaning out my truck.
72 lbs of 6061-T6 @ .3/LB -  36 dollars
11 lbs 300 series stainless - @ .5/LB - 3.30
53 lbs misca steel - @.4/LB - 21.20 (I can't remember what this was though)
$60.50


--Steve

I recycle when I can.  There is a place right down the street from work.  Small quantities of aluminum or copper or stainless steel are quick to sell as they have wheelbarrows and a small scale right up front.  When you have a trailer load things are slower as you have to get the truck weighed, wait in line to unload, and get weighed again.  It doesn't cost me anything in fuel to go as they are 1 mile from where I work.....it is just the time.  The last first time I went I had a trailer full of heavy steel and a truck bed full of aluminum.....and I got $ 700, the last time I went I only had a trailer load of steel and I got $ 217.  Steel prices are down right now.