new as new can be to scrapping in AL

**scrapme** · 05-14-2014, 06:18 PM

Been browsing SMF for awhile, so much to learn, it's almost overwhelming!! Glad there are people like SMF members willing to help the clueless like myself! Truthfully scrapping on a small scale has proven physically more difficult than I ever imagined and I have very limited space for storage. What I am trying to do is save landfills from electronics and recyclable materials, esp those that earn me money. Currently I am scrapping metals such as aluminum, steel, brass. I have taken apart btwn 15-20 computers(nothing compared to most here) and saved all wires, clipped ends off the wires, screws, computer carcass case, copper, aluminum and maybe some tantalum capacitors. Since (currently) I don't have volume, I am trying to learn how to sort to make the very most $ off what I have. Hope I am not too small time the SMF boards!

Here's an odd question for you: has anyone recycled jewelry/craft supplies, (such as pins, etc) made of aluminum, copper or brass, or ferrous metals? I haven't been able to locate anything thru searching jewelry. Some bracelets are a mix of copper with aluminum, would this go as dirty copper?? The ones that are not mixed metals, just put in a box with like metals?
I do sale all I can as jewelry, recycling the remaining stuff to squeeze every penny of profit I can from jewelry making.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice!

**hobo finds** · 05-14-2014, 06:24 PM

If you have enough of that stuff sell as is, jewelry/craft supplies, if not add it to your scrap piles you have going and take in when you are ready...

**pjost** · 05-14-2014, 07:03 PM

Welcome from South Dakota. I know what you mean about feeling overwhelmed. I am trying to learn the e-scrap business, and I don't have a clue!

**Metalbestos** · 05-14-2014, 08:09 PM

People buy large lots of broken or used jewelry on ebay . These lots are very popular with the crafty folks that make their own jewelry. Good luck on your journey into ewaste . I recommend reading a little everyday and when you have a fair amount send it off to one of our buyers on here. Good luck!

**scrapme** · 05-19-2014, 06:07 PM

Thanks for the answers and support! I now have a box of copper (just the thin wire), but it is filling quick. Thanks to the SMF I am now better able to separate electronic items such as boards, etc. Will update when I go to the scrap yard. I'm hoping all the sorting will make a difference $. In the meantime, I am reading the SMF sev times a day and always learning.

**EcoSafe** · 05-19-2014, 11:37 PM

E scrappers, stand your ground. all computer wire and power supply wire is not com grade. Much of it is #2. I believe the com designation actually refers to communication wire like telephone wire, speaker wire etc, not computer wire. But lazy sorters and unscrupulous owners at some yards WILL try to take advantage of those not prepared to stand their ground with proof.