Our 1st Load (we'll probably get ripped off...right?) - Page 2

I think I'd be finding a different yard for the prices. $100. a ton is not bad for today's conditions but they pay on a gross ton and not a net ton.
Net - 2000 lb. = .05 lb
Gross - 2240 lb = .044 lb.

Very cool!! What do the neighbors (or the wife) think of the new hobby??

Something you should know about some types of magnetic stainless. The non-magnetic stainless I've dealt with the most is 304 from commercial washing machines, but I've had several loads with food grade pipe which were 316. That's a better grade of stainless with higher nickel content and higher payout, but it will attract a magnet. If you use a standard speaker magnet or something like it, you can tell it only gives a light pull, but if you use a neodymium hard drive magnet, it will stick pretty good giving you the false impression that it is a low grade stainless.

Can someone explain the whole "gross/tare" thing.
Does that have to do with the amount of non-metallic content I brought in?

Originally Posted by ChesterCopperpot

Can someone explain the whole "gross/tare" thing.
Does that have to do with the amount of non-metallic content I brought in?

Gross is the weight of the truck with the metal in it before you unloaded. Tare is the weight of the empty truck after you unloaded. It is how the yard calculates the amount of steel you brought in.
Nice to see you spending quality time with your boy. Me and my girls go to the yard together. Me and my dad went to the dump together every weekend when I was a kid. It's about the time together, not the activity.
Keep scrappin'

Gross means the bulk weight of everything, including your truck, you(if you're sitting in the truck), metal, etc that initially runs across the scale. Tare means whatever was taken off. its usually used when you bring in non ferrous and they deduct the weight of a container you might be using, maybe an iron attachment on an otherwise clean piece of metal, etc. Net is the exact amount of metal you had. Like let's say your weigh your vehicle on the scale before dumping metal, then dump it out, weigh again and 1000 lbs is missing. That means you had 1000 lbs of metal and that's displayed as net on your ticket.

Thanks for explaining the bulk/tare thing.
I saw a bunch of printers in the pile...I thought you couldn't scrap printers b/c they're mostly plastic. I can get my hands on all kinds of printers to scrap!

I think from now on, steel's out for me. Too much work, for too little return. I spent weeks removing all the non-metallic materials from that stuff. The $33 dollars I got, didn't even cover gas for the truck I borrowed from my neighbor.

I'm gonna stick to copper & brass.
Where can I find brass? I heard thrift stores are a great source.

Originally Posted by ChesterCopperpot

Thanks for the info.
I have about a dozen gutted computer cases...everything's stripped off. Are those ss? I'm guessing no.

Some PC cases, can be Al U minium ( < English pronunciation ) A magnet will reveal if steel or Alum.

good memories AND a good workout AND you got paid AND you did it with your son...WINNER!

You probably didn't have to remove all the non metallic stuff, especially if your yard accepts printers. The first time I ever went to the scrap yard I did the same thing. Then I realized I could've left all the junk on the chairs and strollers and got the same price per lb.

In my experience it's hard to get the good stuff without taking the steel. Most people don't know how to differentiate metals and will just call you when they have anything. Those that do know how to tell the difference usually won't give you anything if you're too picky. Usually anybody that can tell the difference between copper and brass and steel will be more inclined to give it to you if you also take all the junk they don't wanna haul to the scrap yard.

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

Also watch the inside of the computer cases as there is sometimes brass or SS standoffs the motherboard screws down to.

you beat me to say this but glad you did as a lot of people toss these small bits away as tin or prepared but when you get to doing a lot of computers and fill a 5gal bucket of these it weighs out nice, last one I took in was 48lbs of brass still have not filled the stainless yet lol

Yea just figured out my yard takes printers and dishwashers too! Steel is just your byproduct like most people on here. I've been saving my steel for 3 months, and now I'm taking it all in. I take 1 load daily after school then load for the next day, I get 120nt so I average 800lbs in my truck and 1200 on heavy loads. I also bring in my copper and aluminum those days and get good money, this works out good for me. Id say you have computer shells so the inside stuff is what's the money maker. Also tons of other items have this such as all appliances, electronics. I wouldn't actively search for steel if you don't have access to a truck a lot, and $33 seems awfully high for gas. My yard is a 45 min trip there 45 back and I spend about $10 depending on my load.