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jacer333
Penny Pincher Member
USA
119 Posts |
 Posted - 06/15/2010 : 01:41:18
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Are there any good quick ways to differentiate iron from steel? I am finding a lot of stuff that I am unsure which it is. Is there a significant price difference that the two bring? Or should I just be mindful to set aside aluminum, copper, and brass and throw the rest of my scrap in a pile?
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wayne1956
Penny Pincher Member
177 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2010 : 07:18:28
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| I personally pretty much separate out the copper, brass and aluminum and put the rest into the tin pile. For me, if it is magnetic (and both iron and steel are magnetic) it goes into the tin pile. The only time I separate it is if I happen to get a big load of long iron, as it pays better than tin. |
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simplicitycounts
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
535 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2010 : 07:46:13
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| I put anything that sticks to a magnet in the sheet iron pile. In my area usually gets 3 cents a pound. Worst I have ever been paid 2 cents a pound, best 7 cents a pound. It isn't cost effective to truck it in my area so the pay is pretty good considering. |
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hobo finds
Penny Hoarding Member
838 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2010 : 12:46:56
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| I just keep them in the same pile as well. I do think that you can get a few cents more for iron. Here is some info on the different types of iron and steel You must be logged in to see this link. |
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hobo finds
Penny Hoarding Member
838 Posts |
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Kurr
1000+ Penny Miser Member
2906 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2010 : 14:38:33
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The difference between Iron and Steel is Carbon content. You can use an angle grinder to test.
Spark Testing is used to identify different types of steel. Carvers are always unearthing tools at flea markets or reviving tools passed down through generations. Sometimes it is just a tool that has been over sharpened and it was your favorite. Whatever the case, these are tools that you would like to be able to rework. In order to do that you must know the steel. This is the only way to know how to properly work the steel. Deferent alloys will require different heats and methods for heat treating and using the wrong ones will only make the matter worse. We are constantly being asked to heat treat existing tools and unfortunately this is not as easy as it once was. Spark testing used to be an easy, quick and accurate way to determine the type of steel. Then you could proceed with proper heat treating. In today's world of steels there are virtually thousands of different alloy combinations used in industry and this makes spark testing all the more difficult. Even the manufacturer will change the type of steel from batch to batch. This makes it virtually impossible to properly identify the type of steel. Therefore, spark testing is not used as it once was, but it can be used to get a rough classification.
Sparks will fly off steel when put to a grinding wheel and each kind of steel produces a different color and volume of sparks. The volume of sparks depends on the carbon content. Wrought iron, which has very low carbon produces very few sparks. High carbon produces many sparks. Here are a few examples of what to look for when spark testing.
You must be logged in to see this link.
or
You must be logged in to see this link.
Both links have illustrations.
I can put a piece of high carbon steel in my forge and get it hot enough with natural charcoal and air that when I pull it out, it looks like a 4th of July sparkler, just burns it up, and the carbon is what is "sparking out".
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The silver [is] mine, and the gold [is] mine, saith the LORD of hosts. Hag 2:8 [/b]
He created it. He controls it. He gave it to us for His use. Why did we turn from sound scriptural currency that PROTECTS us?
KJV Bible w/ Strong's Concordance: http://www.blueletterbible.org/
The book of The Hundreds: http://www.land.netonecom.net/tlp/ref/boh/bookOfTheHundreds_v4.1.pdf
The Two Republics: http://www.whitehorsemedia.com/docs/THE_TWO_REPUBLICS.pdf
Good reading: http://ecclesia.org/truth/government.html
A number of people are educated beyond, sometimes way beyond, their intelligence. - Tenbears
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hobo finds
Penny Hoarding Member
838 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2010 : 18:53:57
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Kurr cool info! I need to get a grinder and have my own 4th of July party! |
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jacer333
Penny Pincher Member
USA
119 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2010 : 20:25:06
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| Thanks for the links hobo, and great info Kurr! That planet metals site was especially helpful. What are the typical prices for steel and iron respectively? Sounds like iron brings a slightly higher price but it may not be worth the time to separate them. |
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Treasurekidd
Penny Sorter Member
USA
39 Posts |
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mjcurley3
Penny Sorter Member
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2010 : 06:30:13
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| I dont sort the metal at all I just haul it up there and help them sort it around the scale. |
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jacer333
Penny Pincher Member
USA
119 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2010 : 09:12:03
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| Thanks for the advice everyone...I'll just head that route with one big pile of ferrous metals and pick out my copper, brass, and aluminum from there. |
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wayne1956
Penny Pincher Member
177 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2010 : 09:35:58
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| That is your best bet. |
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hobo finds
Penny Hoarding Member
838 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2010 : 12:27:13
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It is best to have your stuff seperated before you get there. That way it is faster and the yard staff wont be looking too close for missed screws or gaskets on your Alum. Seperate out the different types of Aluminum, Extruded, Cast, Painted and MLC. Good Luck and have some fun!
I just turned in 300 lbs of iron and got paid the same as sheet steel. So don't bother! Turn it in all as one! |
Edited by - hobo finds on 06/16/2010 19:35:16 |
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Iron or Steel?
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