SUPER New to This... EXTREMELY Basic Questions

I apologize in advanced, this is probably a dumb question.



I have actually never been to a scrap yard before or seen anyone scrap anything really.
I have built up a little bit of scrap metal (around a pallet full). I have not yet sorted it by type or anything like that. Do I just bring it all to the scrap yard and they sort what I give them (within reason) or are there different areas within the scrap yard where I go to sell each type of metal? Do I have to bring a minimum total amount or a minimum amount of each type of metal? Are there any videos on YouTube that show the whole process? I haven't been able to find any. Sorry for my extremely limited understanding.

I'm thinking that I should just scrap non-ferrous stuff to start off. I definitely know the difference from brass to copper to stainless to pewter so it shouldn't be too hard or unmanageable to do that if I don't scrap the big stuff just yet (large steel/iron). I will just have to learn the difference between copper 1,2,3 and the subcategories of other metals over time. If I separate what I know into different bins I can just bring those to the yard and they will do the rest right?

ya talking to your scrap yard is your best bet but also depends on the yard and their quality of service. most around here if you call and tell them they probally would give you a yard tour to show spots to drop off and the whole process of that yard plus if there quality they will show you differences in metals and what to look for and simple tricks to find out. also I would bring your metal with you not matter how small of load just tell them in advance and if there a good yard they will show you the difference in your own metals and explain it. some yards are not top notch or honest so be careful but most would be happy to do so if you call first and ask as they want your business time and again and maybe even get better pricing as some yards do for repeat customers

my yard wants a certain thickness of #1 i can put braides bare bright as #1 and they wont accept it. they say braided or thin single wire is #2. what a joke right?

Originally Posted by TheRecycleGuy

my yard wants a certain thickness of #1 i can put braides bare bright as #1 and they wont accept it. they say braided or thin single wire is #2. what a joke right?

I have the same kind of issue with my yard. They don't have very many categories to start with and then they are real picky on thickness of wire for grading. Right now I'm just saving my copper hoping for better prices.

I recently took in a 5 gallon bucket filled with computer power cords. I had cut the ends off all of them. They paid my the lowest insulated price. I hate stripping stranded wire but feel like I got burned on that deal.