Collecting scrap metal can be a great way to turn someone's trash into some extra cash in your pocket. However, it helps to know some tips before you head out there into the wild. Here are some tips for scrapping copper at a local scrapyard.
Know About Copper Grades And Prices
Copper is actually classified into different grades, which pays differently per pound by the scrap yard. This is a key thing to keep in mind when you look at prices at a local scrapyard. Copper can be classified as either bare bright, grade 1, or grade 2.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that a scrap yard is only going to pay for copper-based on what it is worth to them and how much you bring in. The more of a specific grade of copper you bring in, the more it can potentially be worth. This means that it may be better to hold onto the grade 1 copper until you have a lot of it to get the max amount from a scrapyard. More of a certain type of copper means that they are more likely to find a buyer, and pay you more money as a result.
Know-How To Identify Copper Grades
Bare bright copper wire is commonly found in heavy-duty copper cables. You'll often see thick stands of copper wrapped around each other to make the cable, with it being very bright and shiny. It is hard to miss this type of cable if you see it. There must not be any insulation on the copper wire, and it should be in good condition with no patina discoloration.
Grade 1 copper is commonly found in old copper pipes. What makes this grade different from grade 2 copper is that it must be clean of any solder, fittings, or insulating material. When found as wire, it has a thickness of at least 1/16". When the material needs to be cleaned to get to just the copper material, it is considered grade 2 copper. This includes any copper that is silver coated, which often causes the metal to be miscategorized. You can try removing the coating to see if copper is underneath.
Now that you know about copper grades and how to identify different types of copper, you'll be ready to head out and see what kind of scrap metal you can find around your neighborhood.
Contact your local copper recycling services to find out how much you can make for scrap metals today.
