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motos
Penny Sorter Member
41 Posts |
 Posted - 03/12/2010 : 23:54:18
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I have been lurking this forum for a while and have one question that keeps coming to mind. When you scrap a specific item, you strip it for the most precious metals (copper, aluminum, steel?) but how do you know what metals are what? I get that copper is pretty much an easy spot but how do you know for other metals?
I haven't junked anything yet but it seems like an interesting prospect. I will just stick with pennies for now though :P
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No82s
Penny Pincher Member
USA
198 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2010 : 00:04:24
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| A magnet is the start. Steel in magnetic. After that, start looking at markings. If none, then its up to you as far you want to proceed. Have fun!! |
The difference between an optimist and a pessimist is that the pessimist is better informed. |
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hobo finds
Penny Hoarding Member
838 Posts |
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Flbandit
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
851 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2010 : 10:00:42
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| After you do it for awhile you will get a feel for it. Magnetic or no, color, weight vs mass, etc. I made a few mistakes early on (zinc vs Aluminum, SS vs Aluminum) but now I'm pretty confident. Be friendly with the guys at the yard. Most will help you out as the more segregated the metal you bring in, the easier their job is. |
Are you throwing that out? |
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motos
Penny Sorter Member
41 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2010 : 17:52:51
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| thanks for info. helpful |
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coppertone
Penny Sorter Member
Canada
63 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2010 : 16:50:50
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| I am just learning and have trouble distinguishing zinc from aluminum. Any quick hints or tips??? |
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Jason
Penny Pincher Member
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2010 : 22:06:22
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| If it has an excessive amount of corosion it's probably zinc. Zinc corodes much much faster than aluminum. The best way and the most fun is to throw it off in some NaOH (safety glasses, gloves, apron etc. don't hurt yourself doing something I told you to :)) If it fizzes it's aluminum. Like flbandit said you'll get a feel for it after a while and one glance is all it will take. I suggest carrying a magnet with you as I do. Iron and steel are magnetic and grey. Stainless is shiney and magnetic. Copper is reddish. Brass is yellow and may be slightly magnetic. Brass plated steel is yellow and extremely magnetic. Talk to your scrap guy about different grades of metal so you can cut and sort it to get the best price. If you have a nice pretty copper pipe with a solder joint on it it's number two and you get second rate price. If you cut the joint off and sell it seperately you get the best price. Little stuff like that. Have fun. It's interesting and $profitable$ |
Rule six: There is no rule six. |
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Identifying Metals
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