scrap metal yard questions

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Hi, I just found a scrap yard that I am going to check out tomorrow.  I've never bought any metal from a scrap yard before because I didn't think there was one around.  So I'm going to go check it out but have some questions.  I called them and they said that I just come in and look around and then pay 35 cents a pound.  Sounds to be a pretty good deal.  How much are you paying for scrap metal?  Do you guys buy scrap metal whenever you can to save money or is there times that you just buy new because the cost isn't much difference?  Just kinda wondering if others use these scrap yards or if you would rather buy new or any other details since I've never bought from a scrap yard before.  Thanks, ScottLast edited by ponch37300; 10-28-2009 at 05:00 PM.
Reply:my friend owns one in Poughkeepsie ny, i'm there a lot. i get steel for a dime a pound.35 cents doesnt sound too bad.
Reply:I am paying 15 a lb at one, and 25 a lb at the other one.  Fifteen a lb is about right, the other guy is just greedy.
Reply:As far as new vs scrap, it all depends on what you need. If it's for a customer, dirty rusty steel to me doesn't say a quality job most of the time. There are times when it's ok for a customer, but if I'm building something thats going to show I want it to look good. Lots of times the savings on material will get eaten up by the labor cleaning and preping for weld or paint. If it's just clean shorts, thats a different story as long as I can get sizes that work.If it's for personal use and it will work then why not save if you don't mind..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I bought a 900lb table top at a scrapyard this weekend actually.they charged $.30/lb
Reply:Its really not that hard to figure out how good of a deal it is but ya got to be willing to do some math.If you take the $100 current price of scrap metal and divide it by 2000 lbs you get.  100/2000= .05    Or  5 cents a puond.  if you take scrap in and they buy it from you their gona pay you 5 cents a pound for it.  So then you already know that they paid 5 cents a puond for it and anything else they get is profit.  the question is are you gona give them more than what they can get for it when they sell it.  Im sorry to tell you but you just are not gona get a better deal than their getting on it.Ok so now we need to know how much weight is in what you are buying.  Any reputable steel dealer should be able to give you the two needed pieces of information.  #1 the price per foot and #2 the lbs per foot.Example:  I was looking for some small I beam the other day.  I found some used and they told me they wanted .35 or 35 cents a puond for it.  it was 3 inch with 1/4"web and 3 inch flanges.  I called the steel dealer I usually deal with and they told me that they get $2.35 a foot for it.  they also told me that it weighed 5.93 lbs per foot.  so knowing that i plug that into the formula.2.35/5.93=.3962   or 39 and a half cents per lbsThats really only a difference of 4 and a half cent difference from new to used steel.  A good deal????  At that rate probably not.  Granted this situation is fictional but I think you get the idea.  Its gone be different for different types and sizes but the general rule of thumb when buying used or from a junk yard is that you really only want to pay half of what it would be new.  just how much more you are willing to pay for it than that is up to you and something you have to judge for yourself.Anyhow I hope that arms you with some informationGood luck in your ventures and if anyone knows a yard where I can buy like that in springfield mo please let me know lol
Reply:You could skip the scrap dealer and go to the source.  I buy stuff from a steel supplier for scrap price.  I just keep my eyes open for stuff in the dumpster.  Sometimes it's short drops, other times it full lengths that have a damaged end or VERY slight rust.  They don't care whether it goes to me or the scrapyard, as long as they get the current scrap price and it dissapears.My name's not Jim....
Reply:You could skip the scrap dealer and go to the source. I buy stuff from a steel supplier for scrap price. I just keep my eyes open for stuff in the dumpster. Sometimes it's short drops, other times it full lengths that have a damaged end or VERY slight rust. They don't care whether it goes to me or the scrapyard, as long as they get the current scrap price and it dissapears.
Reply:Thanks for the info guys, was just looking for others opinions/experiences with these places before I went.  I did some math and think for most things it is a pretty big savings to buy from the scrap yard.  I wish it was only 15 cents a pound, that would really be a good deal!  This is just for my own use, no customers for me.  So I don't mind taking some extra time for cleaning and prep if it's going to be worth it.  A friend and me are going to take a trip there tomorrow and see what they have to offer, right now I need a peice of 3/8" sheet about 20"x20" for a project so hope they have something I can use for that.  I did the math and that will cost just under 15 bucks which is a really good deal compared to what I would pay new!  Depending on what they have to offer this might be a good way to get some projects done on a budget!The supplier I use is also a fab shop and have a "cut off" room that they sell scrap for 50 cents a pound.  Some stuff is a good deal and it's still new stock.  Can anyone offer advice on best way to clean rusty metal?  I'm thinking wire wheel or grinding disc?  Thanks, ScottLast edited by ponch37300; 10-28-2009 at 07:53 PM.
Reply:There's been a couple of threads on cleaning with acid. Personally I'm not a big fan of that. If you don't get it neutralized it will rust 5 times worse afterwards, not to mention the hazards of working with acids.Grinder, grinding wheel or sanding pad is best. Wire wheel usually just shines up rust and doesn't really remove it. Sandblasting works well if you can do that, simple but messy usually..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Ya got to rember to that your saving some by being able to buy just what ya need.  it suks to have to buy a whole stick and all ya need is 5 foot.Can anyone offer advice on best way to clean rusty metal? I'm thinking wire wheel or grinding disc? Thanks, Scott
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWThere's been a couple of threads on cleaning with acid. Personally I'm not a big fan of that. If you don't get it neutralized it will rust 5 times worse afterwards, not to mention the hazards of working with acids.Grinder, grinding wheel or sanding pad is best. Wire wheel usually just shines up rust and doesn't really remove it. Sandblasting works well if you can do that, simple but messy usually.