New to this looking for a little direction

**themadhabber** · 06-08-2012, 02:20 PM

Hey everyone, first time here. First time getting into the whole scrap metal business.

I'm clearing out my girlfriends mothers house of all the scrap metal that is in the garage and around the house. Her dad use to collect literally everything. It's a gold mine here. Just trying clear out this place for her mom a bit.

I'm having a bit of trouble identifying the metal aside from copper/brass which I know what it looks like.

What I'm doing at the moment is separating copper/brass from other metals and putting them into milk crates. I've been lumping them all together.

I've got about 10 faucets that I also took the copper and brass out of and tools literally everywhere. I've been separating the tools that don't have any wood/rubber or anything on them from the tools that do so I've just got milk crates of clean metals/steel/iron.

I've got # 1 copper piping I'm guessing 35-40 feet worth. bright Copper wiring etc. There's everything in this house from a V8 car engine to car starters, batteries, copper piping, LOTS and LOTS of tools, old refridgerators, nails/screws/bolts, metal bedframes. You name it and it can be found here. There's even an old military metal box full of live rifle/pistol rounds. (I don't plan on touching those, just letting you guys know what exactly I'm dealing with here)

As you can see, this is a bit overwhelming for someone who's never done this before. I know I should be separating metals but I really have no clue what to do to get the most value and make life easier for me.

I just need a bit of insight. Thanks!

**scrappy888** · 06-08-2012, 02:55 PM

READ.. n get a magnet..quite possibly more re-sell value there than scrap...sounds like a fun project..gl

**Bear** · 06-08-2012, 02:59 PM

first you need a magnet, there's basically cheap if it sticks, to better if it doesn't. Next you should take it slow and figure what is worth much more than scrap, and it sounds like a lot of it may be, especially the tools. If you have an Ebay account that is probably the best place for ship-able items, and Craigslist for bulkier stuff. If you don't have time to do this you might consider letting an auction company take over

**Dunemaul** · 06-08-2012, 07:55 PM

Im with bear on this one. research anything that looks old before you scrap it. Chances are theres someone out there to buy it.

**happyscraper** · 06-08-2012, 08:24 PM

Need more info. Are the tools in good usable shape or are they all rusted, are they power tools or just hand tools. If they are not usable and you just want to scrap them you do not have to sort wood handles from rubber handles through them all together. Anything that a magnet sticks to is steel or iron, if the magnet dose not stick and it feels heavy like steel could be stainless if it's light it's aluminum. Keep copper separate from brass they pay different prices. Call around to the scrap yards in your area and ask them if they buy car starters and car batteries some do some don't also any electric motors can be sold separate. Faucets are mostly brass use a file to scrape the finish to check for brass, some are aluminum. I hope this helps a little, good luck. P.S. When you finish this job scrapping will be in your blood and won't be able to stop.