Scrap Metal Business

First:
Does it stick to a magnet? If it does then it is steel or iron, set all of your steel to the side.
From lowest value to highest value for steel:

--LIGHT IRON-- The lowest grade of any metal is light iron (also known as tin, shred, or white goods) it is metal that sticks to a magnet and is less then 1/4 inch thick.

--HMS UNPREPARED--If your steel is more then 1/4 inch thick it is (HMS) If it is over 5ft long or wide it would be (HMS UNPREPARED) it is worth more then light iron but it can be prepared for more value.

--CAST IRON-- you can usually tell cast iron because it is heavier and looks porous but to test it to know for sure CAST IRON can be broken with a sledge hammer

--HMS PREPARED--And the Highest value steel is Prepared HMS If it is 1/4 inch thick and under 5ft long and wide it is (HMS PREPARED) and is worth more per ton.

This book is an good source of fresh ideas, it will help you make money by thinking out of the box and using resources that you didn't know you had.

A lot of people think scrapping is as easy as loading up a bunch of metal in a rusty old truck and bringing it in for a few bucks. Well let me tell you from experience that its not. If you want to make more then a few bucks you cant be a scrapper, You have to be a recycling company.

Money Makers Crisis & Opportunity

I recommend it. It has a lot of detailed information on ways to clean metal to maximize profits.

Scrap Metal Recycling

Collection, Recycling, and Storage -- Scrap metal is the "oldest" of all recyclables. Scrap has been collected by municipalities, scavengers, and junk collectors for many years, and has been used in steel making for as long as steel has been produced. because of the large volumes of steel recovered from dismantled buildings, old automobiles, and other industrial sources, more steel is recycled each year than all other recycled materials combined, and about 68 percent of all "new" steel produced is actually recycled metal. Currently, over 220 of New Hampshire's 234 municipalities (including at least 96 percent of the state's population) recycle scrap metal.

Most municipalities collect scrap metal either in large piles or in large containers for direct transport to a scrap recycling company. Very few municipalities bale or otherwise process scrap metal on-site although some dealers offer on-site baling services (using transportable balers). Scrap metal can be stored outside for long periods with no significant deterioration or loss of value, and many municipalities stockpile scrap metal for a year or more before moving it to a processor.

The per-ton value of scrap metal is highest if sorted by type. For example, both ferrous metal and aluminum can be separated into higher-and lower-value fractions, and other nonferrous metals (e.g., brass, copper) are quite valuable if separated from mixed scrap. Sorting must be done by hand, however, and few municipalities are able to make the required investment in time and manpower. Most municipal scrap metal is sold to dealers as an unsorted waste. Many dealers, who process large volumes at dedicated facilities, sort incoming metals to realize the highest
market prices.

Disposal -- Scrap metal itself is relatively inert, and degrades very slowly (if at all) in landfills. Ferrous metals will eventually rust, and most other metals will also chemically degrade in the environment. Metals are noncombustible and pass through waste-to-energy incinerators as a
constituent of bottom ash. Some waste-to-energy facilities use magnets to separate ferrous metals from incoming wastes or from ash prior to disposal. However, New Hampshire's two waste-to-energy incinerators do not.

Manufacturing -- Scrap metal has been used in metal manufacturing for as long as metalworking technologies have existed. For example, scrap steel can be melted directly in steel furnaces; basic-oxygen furnaces (the majority of U.S. steelmaking capacity) can use up to 20-30% scrap steel, and electric arc furnaces (a newer steelmaking technology) can operate with 100% scrap. Foundries for iron and steel, aluminum, brass, and other metals also routinely use scrap as a raw material. There are few limitations on the range of metal products in which recycled scrap can be used as an input.

Markets for Scrap Metal -- Most New Hampshire municipalities market their scrap metal to an established network of dealers in this and adjacent states. The dealers consolidate shipments from many municipalities (plus commercial/industrial sources) into loads that they resell in regional markets. Dealers generally sort scrap by material and grade to realize the highest prices they can, and stockpile loads to sell them when prices peak. Some municipalities also sort and stockpile materials to maximize their market value, but the resources and market information required to do this are beyond the reach of most New Hampshire communities. Markets and prices for ferrous and other scrap metals are relatively stable. Prices are subject to fluctuations in national and international commodity markets -- for example, Russian mills
(which once produced almost entirely for domestic consumption) have recently sold large volumes of aluminum in international markets, driving down prices worldwide.

Scrap metal is everywhere just waiting for someone to find, sort, clean and prepare it. Smart scrap collectors know a few tricks of the trade that help guarantee they get the most money for their metals.

Know Where to Find Scrap Metals

Knowing where to look for scrap metal begins with a new awareness that used metal has real dollar value. What other people are throwing away may be your treasure.

Begin by looking at your own living habits. Are you saving and separating aluminum soda cans? Have you taken a look at your garage or storage areas to see what metals you already have on hand? Tell your family and friends you are collecting metals of all kinds. They may be glad to assist you with your effort by giving you their metal throw-aways or be willing to give you unwanted metals for cleaning out their garage, barn or storage areas. Now that you've told your family and friends about your decision to increase your monthly income by collecting and selling scrap metals, it's time to expand your search.

The serious scrap metal collector knows that free classified newspapers can be a great source of materials for their new business. First, these papers are free; that's a plus. Look for ads offering 'free' items. Especially, look for items that may contain motors, tubing, wiring and plumbing fixtures. Although less likely, your local newspaper may also offer a few free items worth your time.

Don't overlook the Internet. Sites like Craigslist.com can be a boon for your scrap metal venture. Everyday there are new listings of free items and 'curb alerts' just waiting for you to add them to your collection of scrap metals. Remember, everything electric has at least one electrical cord.

Other places to find scrap metal are demolition sites. Just be sure to ask permission before removing anything as many of the larger dealers buy demo sites specifically to salvage and recycle the materials. Sometimes contractors and private individuals will pay you to clean up areas and give you the scrap metal at the same time. Try stopping by one or more of the local thrift stores and offer to take the excess junk off their hands.

Be creative. Scrap metal can be found almost anywhere, along roads, in farm fields, local dumps and landfills. By training yourself to pick up metals you will earn extra money