Firt Haul off this weekend

first tool is a magnet, if it sticks, its steel. you will probably get light iron prices for the thin office cubes.

scrapping metal is a business based on volume, not value. its pennies/lb. if you are looking for a big return on your load, you may look into gold or other precious metals. the people who make a living scrapping metal have contracts/accounts and a steady supply of scrap. they hit the streets hard and work their butts off to make an honest buck.

its good that you can turn in a load and make a few bucks! just dont be shocked when a single load comes out to be less than you were hoping for. Good luck, and let us know how it works out!

Originally Posted by dllszilllascrapper

... So basically if it sticks to the Magnet its just basic Metal and I'm only get pennies for it by the pound? ...

Not necessarily. (Assuming that by " basic metal", you mean "light iron"). It could be Cast Iron, #1 Iron or Stainless Steel. Still "pennies per pound" but different amounts.

Since most steel pays around .10 a pound I think of it as dimes on the dollar. Not as much as the other stuff you mentioned but pretty easy to find and not much processing or tear down involved. Great way to get your feet wet and get to know the yard you are going to be dealing with.

Started the day at 9 am and was done by noon. Between the 2 of us we made $110 an hour.

Doesn't usually happen with steel either, you just got lucky.
Those cubicle's could also be chipboard with carpet covering and steel around the edges.

You might consider trying to sell them if they are in good shape. They would be great for making a hunted house.
Mechanic makes a good point. You will have a lot of trash to contend with.
And I agree with Part Time, I have seen aluminum cubicles.

resale value > scrap value

I hauled off a bunch of cubicles a few months back; ended up being like 1.5 tons between the desks and the cubicles themselves. The foam covering was easily taken off and discarded, leaving just a steel frame. On the corners where two or more cubicle sections merged, however, there was a thick aluminum beam, probably about 5 lbs a piece.

Originally Posted by cobre collector

Started the day at 9 am and was done by noon. Between the 2 of us we made $110 an hour.

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

Doesn't usually happen with steel either, you just got lucky.
Those cubicle's could also be chipboard with carpet covering and steel around the edges.

I agree the above scenario doesn't usually happen with steel, but I do make more money with steel than anything else. And it's easier and quicker than copper, alum., etc. Just a couple of weeks back it took me 2 hours to put together a load of light iron and it paid me $112. The very next day I worked some copper, brass, and aluminum that took me 7 hours to put together and it paid out at $118. I'll take steel any day.