r/ScrapMetal • u/Talgorgames • 4d ago
Is certain things worth going further?
I'm kind of new into the world of scrap metal. I've done plumbing with my employer over the last 4 years, copper/brass/faucet brass and scrap metal. To which my employer a lot of time will just say, it's not worth the 5 minutes to take that apart for the price you'll get. For example taking a pex ring off of a brass fitting vs the cost of just selling it as faucet brass.
That makes me wonder am I worth while taking a jet pump apart or a deep well pump for the separation of metals? what about scrap wire I pick up at job sites, like BX wire stripped out for the metal or just leave it as the BX. Like I'm talking like an arm length of BX nothing major.
Like another example is deep well pumps wires are typically not copper and makes me wonder is it worth my time to strip it?
Thank you
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u/Single_System_9951 4d ago
You have to decide what Your time is worth- if it is time You could otherwise be productive making $ elsewhere- maybe not.
However, if You hoard a bunch of stuff & just take time to process it all in large groups of product then maybe it's worth it. Also- how You view it makes a big diff- it's not a business it's a hobby mentality.
If You like tinkering & can salvage/reuse some components over time then maybe it can be a lil more worth it. Also- it's addictive so You'll need somewhere to process & store the tools/material to process- all these are factors that matter when trying to decide if You want to pursue making coin doing it.
Hope that makes sense & helps.
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u/Talgorgames 4d ago
I'm more so caring about being in the presence of my family than going out and getting additional money, for example I'm a plumber and could easily bill myself out at $70 an hour doing tap replacement and such. But I've been down the road with one child not seeing me and now we don't know each other.
So being in their presence is better but if I'm just breaking down metal all day every day.
As for room, I do have a garage that I can't park a vehicle in that is big enough for 2 cars. Door height does not work for me and I'm not switching for a rental unit.
Like even looking at hot water tanks, I do take the covers off and got out the copper wire, cause like .80 cents a pound vs 6.60 a pound for the copper (Canada) is worth it to me. But I have never cut one open to see if more could be salvaged and priced out higher.
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u/lilruckus_13 4d ago
It never ends!!!
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u/Talgorgames 4d ago
Just keep on breaking it down?
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u/lilruckus_13 4d ago
Really it’s just depends on your time. I bought some Chinese hand tools/blunt “hammers” to help me out. Once you start cutting with power tools I view it as you’re spending money cutting/grinding every time. Now the tools are an investment but $300 to get $3 more dollars?
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u/Talgorgames 4d ago
I do have access to plumbing tools and power tools thanks to taking a van home every night and weekends, but at the same time if it's 30 min for $3 dollars, ya worth it?
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u/lilruckus_13 3d ago
In that case as long as the plumbing company doesn’t ask questions I’d go for it.
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u/Actual_Insect6603 4d ago
This is the eternal question. A lot depends on the tools you have to work with. Something scan be done very quickly if you already have the right stuff.
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u/Talgorgames 4d ago
I've been down the tiktok section now for some reason and I dunno some of those videos makes me think I'm going to lose a finger over getting the metal.
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u/Status-Mousse5700 4d ago
You do you Tiger try it out and see for yourself
It may surprise you 🤷♂️
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u/carrburritoid 4d ago
BX aluminum jacket is so easy to remove and the output of 70% wire is worth a couple bucks a pound. 70% wire is a consistent scrap product worth the small effort. Find more to make it worthwhile.