Looking for a personal recommendation for a buyer of gold plated pins

**miked** · 08-04-2016, 03:39 PM

I have really looked over the different sections and am hopeful this is the correct section to post this thread.

My wife and I have been collecting gold plated pins from ewaste type scrap for the past several years and have collect 70-80lbs. I would like to find a buyer or contract refiner willing to work with us.

I live in coastal NC and would prefer a face to face if transferring all or the majority of our pins. Other wise shipping smallish amounts could be worked out.

I am aware of the gold refining forum but I don't know those people and I feel I do know many of the members here on this forum.

So if you personally know and trust someone who might be appropriate for my needs please let me know. Using a private message to communicate your recommendation might be best. Thanks to all and 73, Mike

ps photos are a sample of one of the containers of pins but as you can see a real mix. Mike

**HipoGear** · 08-04-2016, 06:38 PM

70 to 80 pounds ... Holy Pin Plucking, Batman!!!
I wish this info was more readily available. I'm with you though, I would want to deal in person if at all possible.

**miked** · 08-04-2016, 07:24 PM

Alloy great video which reinforces my resolve to never get into gold refining. 73, Mike

**eastky** · 08-04-2016, 08:42 PM

Man hate to burst your bubble. If you have 70 or 80 pounds and you have them mixed together you have a lot of sorting to do.

Should have separated them while you were collecting them.

Just plain full plated gold pins without solder should have been in one container.

Fully plated pins with solder in another container.

Pins with plated tips in another container.

Flash plated pins in another container.

Mot going to mention magnetic and nonmagnetic pins being separated.

**miked** · 08-04-2016, 09:00 PM

eastky, it may be late for me but others can benefit from your input. Mike

**HipoGear** · 08-04-2016, 10:09 PM

Interesting video. I used a similar process a few years ago to de-plate some silver plated trays and ended up with three tiny BBs of Ag. In the end I decided it wasn't worth the time and cost of materials.

Originally Posted by eastky

Flash plated pins in another container

How do you tell if something was flash plated?

Selling those pins in one pound lots on ebay may be the way to go.

**miked** · 08-04-2016, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by HipoGear

Interesting video. I used a similar process a few years ago to de-plate some silver plated trays and ended up with three tiny BBs of Ag. In the end I decided it wasn't worth the time and cost of materials.

How do you tell if something was flash plated?

Selling those pins in one pound lots on ebay may be the way to go.

I seem to recall a member once stating that using a pencil eraser to "rub" off the flash plating would indicate it.

As to the ebay option that may be the way I go. 73, Mike

**Scrappah** · 08-05-2016, 05:48 AM

Ran the numbers last year and it came up that there was more value in the base metal of the pins. You would probably take a loss on refining.Ebay would be your best bet.

**CapitalRecovery** · 10-30-2016, 07:27 PM

Hey guys I just check the sold listing on EBay if you still have them. Here is a link to what I found.
gold plated computer scrap | eBay
I know this is an older thead but maybe someone could use the info.

**Sirscrapalot** · 10-31-2016, 04:10 PM

I was going to suggest the same far as eBay if your can't find someone your comfortable working with.

When it comes to refining, Alloy knows what he's talking about as I know most of you know.

Might be better off selling on eBay an letting someone else deal with the hassle of separating, refining, etc.

Sirscrapalot - You've got mail! - That annoying AOL voice.

**CopperHeadAKA** · 03-05-2017, 06:40 AM

After watching that video ,
I am completely renewed that when I find 500 pounds of metal
Aluminum scrap , motors , 5 pounds copper and other finds that I can Consistently find year after year
and use some of those profits for a Gram of gold and some ounces of silver from Provident Metals
That The - CORE FROM THE CURB - Hunter Scrapper is the clever one
I see base scrapping will accumulate Gold & Silver as long as you set your mind to trading base metals
for PM
The toxic smells for each procedure in refining will damage your lungs
Find scrap & sell it to the highest payer ,
Get your money
Use some of your $100 from the on the curb scrap
Basically easy to find
Then just buy what is listed below

https://www.providentmetals.com/1-gram-9999-fine-gold-pamp-suisse-bar-with-assay-card.html

**AmericanscrapmetalCom** · 08-08-2019, 08:13 PM

Sorry to revive an old thread we have in house refining and that is what you are going to need to do to find a recycling company that specializes in specialty items your local scrap yard cant help or will pay a fraction of the value. Look up precious metal refiners but beware and be ready for the truth your gonna get no more than 60-70 percent of the golds value minus refining costs, others may say more but its a lie and those are the companies to watch out for, they promise X amount then will pay you half after its said and done if your lucky.

**AmericanscrapmetalCom** · 08-08-2019, 08:15 PM

Value can be from $5 a lb to Over $50 needs to be tested etc.

**mikeinreco** · 09-21-2019, 02:47 PM

Would be interesting to hear a happy ending to this story

**hills** · 09-22-2019, 08:00 AM

So much of it is trial & error. You do the work & invest the time and effort. Sometimes it pays off. Sometimes you hit a dead end and have to go on to something else. Sometimes it works for awhile and then plays out.

It seems like it's the nature of the scrapping business.

**NewBrunswickRRRguy** · 11-14-2022, 05:28 AM

Reading through this forum is really helping me to get an understanding of how I value my time with scrapping... but still you can't value the experience with money, or the knowledge gained, sometimes the collecting and "picking" of things is just cathartic as well.

I've managed to save up two milk crates so far of high-end motherboards, and even if it wouldn't be worth it economically to depopulate them, I still can't help but feel the itch to do it. There is something so soothing about it for me for some reason and I love looking at all the little resistors and crystal oscillators etc... plus snip snip make feel good principle at work in that cutting things up just seems to stimulate a part of my brain when done right, like when you get a nice grind on a motor and it just falls apart in two perfect pieces.

Again so grateful for the knowledge in this forum because now when I do get around to it I will be sure to wear a respirator and keep my skin covered, proper washing. Also saving it up and doing it once a year to limit exposure to toxic particles. No one outranks general safety lol

Lastly another idea I am going to implement as soon as possible as a la "CopperheadAKA" and investing a part of my non-precious revenue into buying up physical bullion so I can still accumulate and diversify my portfolio.. the thought of a physical store of value is really appealing these days.

Cheers all!
-Ri

Looking for a personal recommendation for a buyer of gold plated pins

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Looking for a personal recommendation for a buyer of gold plated pins

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