Finally did it !

Hey everyone! I’ve been reading your forms for awhile and i finally joined !
I’ve been thinking about scrapping for a long time but just never actually tried it .
Today after work I was driving home and drove by a stove and dishwasher . I pulled over sat there for abit and finally decided to do this .
I put them in my pick up and drive over to the scrap yard (triple m) Mississuaga.
All and all it took me about 30 min and I got 20 bucks .
I’m completely happy with that .
I’m so glad I did because it made me join the form .
I have a 12 by 16 foot trailer that I use to hall my ATV around and I’ve been really thinking about using it for scraping
Anyways would love to hear some thoughts.
Thanks guys .

Prices must be good by you! $20 for a stove and a dishwasher seem pretty good. If you have the time and the space you can break down your scrap and wheeze a bit more money out of stuff.

For example if it was an electric stove they have a few $ of insulated wire in them. If it was a gas stove they often have brass fittings or stainless tubing In them. Either way welcome and good stuff

Honestly would
Of been happy with 10 bucks lol .

And ya the next thing I want to try is breaking it down . Next time I get one I will break it down. I’ll keep u posted .
Thanks for the reply

Originally Posted by Almac

And ya the next thing I want to try is breaking it down . Next time I get one I will break it down. I’ll keep u posted .
Thanks for the reply

Over time you will figure out what is and isnt worth your time to break down

For example, dishwashers/ovens/washers I usually dont fully break down any more. I did a few time and getting the extra stuff out of it wasnt super worth it for me. I snip off any exposed wires or non-ferrous items I can see, sometimes if there is an access panel that is just a few screws Ill take that off and snip out everything accessible from that but fully breaking them down I usually dont do any more.

Some other examples/things Ive learned, ceiling fans I used to take apart to get the motor out (my yard won't take it as electric motor whole), but the work to get it out isnt worth it for me and I just chuck them in with the light iron. Grills I used to take but no only take if im at the end of my route and I still have room. Otherwise they take up too much space for what they weigh. Often Ill just grab the grill grates out of them as they are small and heavy, but with my little truck if i grab a whole grill at the start of my route Ill run out of room before the end and possibly not be able to fit even better stuff....

Just some thoughts/example. If you do actually start doing this youll learn over time what works and whats best to do for you. It is highly dependent on location too,.

Here are a few tips:
1) Youtube videos on scrapping (electric motors, appliances, air conditioners, etc), can help you learn what and how to scrap.
2) Obtain two magnets. Keep one in your vehicle and another in the area that you will disassemble items.
3) Select tools that you will be using. Wire snipers, bolt cutters, socket set, crescent wrenches, bench vise and a host of other tools are needed to disassemble/strip scrap items.
4) Don't take or even buy anything that should have a title, that does not have a title. You do not want to be accused of stealing. If someone is trying to sell you a vehicle, etc. for scrap and they do not have a title, then they probably do not own it.
5) Visit you local scrap yards and see how they want items prepared. If you bring in items to their liking, you build good rampart with them. They would rather not sort through items, that you could have organized in the first place.
6. Obtain 5 gallon buckets to put wire and other scrap items in. Used ones from restaurants or even buying them at a discount store. Some lids are good, too. You need someway to sort and organize scrap.
Five gallon buckets are great for small items.
7. Research the scrap laws for your state. Releasing Freon into the environment is considered a no-no. Learn what you and the scrap yards have to go through to stay legal.
8. Prepare to buy items. Keep some lose cash on yourself. Someone may want 5 or 10 dollars for an item. If it is an older item (dish washer, etc.), it probably has a higher copper content than a newer model.
9. Have a pickup, trailer, etc. available to haul items, if possible. Something on the curb will not stay their long.
10. Set a price for when you want to sell. Personally, until copper is being bought for $5.00 again, I will stockpile it. All my copper and brass are awaiting sale when the price is right. In my area, aluminum prices are higher in the spring. The amount of secure storage space will probably how much you will stockpile.
11. Consider giving out business cards. People can look you up later, when they have replaced appliances and want to get rid of items. If they call and you say that you want it, pick it up ASAP.
12. Emphasize to people that they are recycling. People feel very good about having their junk recycled. If you can take it off there hands for free, you benefit, too.
13. Use safety equipment, as needed. You will not make any cash, going to the emergency room for a cut hand or other injury. Work boots, gloves, hard hat, two wheel cart, etc. are part of the job. Assure the party that you are obtaining scrap from, that you are safety oriented. While you may have a chance to obtain scrap, some parties will not let you have it, because of liability reasons. If you show that you are safety conscious, they may be more apt to let you in on the scrap.
14. Try to keep some type of record of dealing with the scrap owner. If Bob the store manager send you an email and/or text, about scrap, keep the record. If something comes up, where you are accused of "stealing" the scrap, you can show that the owner, manager, etc. allowed you to take it.
15. Look for buildings that are going to be demolished. Contact the owner, etc. and see if you can scrap items. Every building has A/C systems, water pipes, appliances, etc. that can be scrapped. You just have to find the window of opportunity and ask for permission.

Good luck in scrap collecting!

Originally Posted by CopperSquirrel

Here are a few tips:
1) Youtube videos on scrapping (electric motors, appliances, air conditioners, etc), can help you learn what and how to scrap.
2) Obtain two magnets. Keep one in your vehicle and another in the area that you will disassemble items.
3) Select tools that you will be using. Wire snipers, bolt cutters, socket set, crescent wrenches, bench vise and a host of other tools are needed to disassemble/strip scrap items.
4) Don't take or even buy anything that should have a title, that does not have a title. You do not want to be accused of stealing. If someone is trying to sell you a vehicle, etc. for scrap and they do not have a title, then they probably do not own it.
5) Visit you local scrap yards and see how they want items prepared. If you bring in items to their liking, you build good rampart with them. They would rather not sort through items, that you could have organized in the first place.
6. Obtain 5 gallon buckets to put wire and other scrap items in. Used ones from restaurants or even buying them at a discount store. Some lids are good, too. You need someway to sort and organize scrap.
Five gallon buckets are great for small items.
7. Research the scrap laws for your state. Releasing Freon into the environment is considered a no-no. Learn what you and the scrap yards have to go through to stay legal.
8. Prepare to buy items. Keep some lose cash on yourself. Someone may want 5 or 10 dollars for an item. If it is an older item (dish washer, etc.), it probably has a higher copper content than a newer model.
9. Have a pickup, trailer, etc. available to haul items, if possible. Something on the curb will not stay their long.
10. Set a price for when you want to sell. Personally, until copper is being bought for $5.00 again, I will stockpile it. All my copper and brass are awaiting sale when the price is right. In my area, aluminum prices are higher in the spring. The amount of secure storage space will probably how much you will stockpile.
11. Consider giving out business cards. People can look you up later, when they have replaced appliances and want to get rid of items. If they call and you say that you want it, pick it up ASAP.
12. Emphasize to people that they are recycling. People feel very good about having their junk recycled. If you can take it off there hands for free, you benefit, too.
13. Use safety equipment, as needed. You will not make any cash, going to the emergency room for a cut hand or other injury. Work boots, gloves, hard hat, two wheel cart, etc. are part of the job. Assure the party that you are obtaining scrap from, that you are safety oriented. While you may have a chance to obtain scrap, some parties will not let you have it, because of liability reasons. If you show that you are safety conscious, they may be more apt to let you in on the scrap.
14. Try to keep some type of record of dealing with the scrap owner. If Bob the store manager send you an email and/or text, about scrap, keep the record. If something comes up, where you are accused of "stealing" the scrap, you can show that the owner, manager, etc. allowed you to take it.
15. Look for buildings that are going to be demolished. Contact the owner, etc. and see if you can scrap items. Every building has A/C systems, water pipes, appliances, etc. that can be scrapped. You just have to find the window of opportunity and ask for permission.

Good luck in scrap collecting!

All good advice. As far as magnets go, I do keep one in my car, but the one I use the most is the one I keep stuck to the back side of my belt buckle. I use to keep it on the front, but when I would lean into my truck, it would stick to the truck body and when I moved away, my shirt would pull it off and I would lose it. It is nice to have that with me when I garage sale so I can quickly and somewhat quietly check to see if something is steel (TINK!) or not.