guidance/tips needed here in CA.

Hello all. this is my first post and look forward to learning more.

After graduating high school, my parents bought me a used car as a graduation present. Unfortunately, I was hit by a drunk driver a year later but decided to keep the car even after salvage. Then after, I used the insurance money to buy another similar model. Since my first accident, Ive been reselling parts as far out as Australia. Anyways, I finally worked my way down the bare frame of the car and it had been taking space in my driveway for about 3 years now. Just recently in the past few days, my uncle and I teamed up and cut up the frame into smaller (less than an arms length) pieces for transportation purposes. Before that, about a month and a half back, I was already planning to sell the metal for scrap. I passed by a local scrap yard where the dealer explained that I would need to provide a title.

This car that has now been cut into smaller pieces still has recognizable pieces even from a novice experienced, car exposed individual (such as main parallel frame or paint), but after doing some research, Ive read that there is an opportunity to sell as scrap metal (differentiating rates as to selling it as a car for scrap).

If there is any individuals who would please give me tips on how to scrap my already parted, already bare boned frame (except for some insulation and of course the original paint) , already cut up scrap for the best price possible.

And not to be so specific to anything, but I understand that I could shop around to each local yard dealer and ask for their price their willing to buy at and etc., but I am hoping that after all of each of your guys' knowledge, maybe there is some tips or tricks that you all may be able to share that can only be learned from experience [or a forum =P ]

thanks ahead for any input or advice!

~Sam

Sell it as it lays now. Not worth more than $50 in scrap. But if you want the best price cut the pieces in 3 foot or less sections.

thanks for the response 350,

if i may ask, what does cutting it less than 3ft do?

that is generally called "prepared" (ie the yard doesn't have to cut them)...hence you get a better price

Quote:

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Originally Posted by salivate408

If i may ask, what does cutting it less than 3ft do?

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If nothing else, it makes it easier to load and unload.

PS: Welcome to SMF from Indiana...

Welcome to the forum. It is the preferred length of the custome your scrap yard sells to.

Consider if you are a steel mill you would like to get scrap steel that is cut to a size that fits easily into the machinery doing the smelting/melting. This save labor costs at the steel mill, ensures a more compact shipment, more steel per cu ft of shipping train car.

Prepared steel saves the scrapyard the expense of labor to ,cut the steel to the preferred sized and gets them a hight price. So they will pay you more money.

With small loads its unlikely it will pay to cut it down to gain a higher price. You on the other hand cut it to enable putting it into your car truck.

Great job on the selling of parts from the old car. You have really maximized profit. Take the time to read old threads on the forum. Keep in mind that prices change. With reading you will discover other areas you can profit from(it certainly has worked for me). 73, Mike

Always remember, is cutting the car down to size to gain scrap value going to cost more or equal to the cost of actually cutting it down? Like how many cutting blades will you have to buy to finish the job? If you spend $20 in blades and gain $30 in scrap value, but it takes 2 hours to cut, is it worth it? Although you say you have already cut the car into pieces. For future reference I guess...

So at this point, the only thing left is to call scrap yards in your area and get prices...

You should be able to obtain a copy of your title from where it was first registered (if you don't already have one). Then sell it ''as is'' and make way for your next project.