Should You Dismantle Scrap Metal or Sell It As-Is?
"I have a bunch of mixed equipment — motors, some pipe, old machinery. Is it worth my time to take it apart or should I just sell it as a mixed load?"
The rule: calculate your hourly rate. If breaking it down takes 1 hour and adds $15 in value, you're working for $15/hr. If it adds $80, it's worth it. Thick insulated copper wire, brass fittings on copper pipe, and ACR coils are almost always worth separating. Light steel and small appliances usually aren't.
The biggest mistake new scrapers make is either tearing everything apart (wasting time on low-value separations) or selling everything mixed (leaving serious money on the table). This guide gives you the math to make the right call every time.
The Hourly Rate Test
Before you start dismantling anything, do this calculation: estimate how long the teardown will take, estimate the price difference between the mixed load and the separated load, divide the price difference by the hours. If the result is less than your target hourly rate, sell it mixed. If it's more, tear it down.
Always Worth Separating
Thick insulated copper wire (Romex, THHN, building wire): stripping adds $0.80–$1.20/lb and takes 5–10 minutes per pound with a good stripper. Brass fittings on copper pipe: brass pays $1.50–$2.00/lb vs copper at $3.50–$4.00/lb — separate them so the brass doesn't drag down your copper price. ACR coils from HVAC equipment: worth $1.50–$2.20/lb vs aluminum at $0.40–$0.60/lb. Electric motors with large copper windings (50+ lbs): cracking them open can recover Copper #2 at $3.00+/lb.
Usually Not Worth Separating
Small appliances (toasters, microwaves): mostly light steel worth $0.05–$0.10/lb — not worth the labor. Thin communication wire (Cat5, coax): too little copper to justify stripping. Small electric motors under 10 lbs: the copper recovery doesn't justify the time. Aluminum cans mixed with other aluminum: the grade difference is minimal.
The Mixed Load Penalty
When you sell a mixed load, the yard prices the entire load at the lowest-value material in it. 10 lbs of copper mixed with 100 lbs of steel gets priced as steel. Always separate your metals before you go — it takes 20 minutes and can double your payout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth stripping copper wire?
For thick wire (12-gauge or larger building wire), yes — stripping adds $0.80–$1.20/lb. For thin wire under 16-gauge or communication wire, usually not worth the labor.
Should I separate brass from copper?
Yes. Brass and copper look similar but brass pays $0.50–$1.50/lb less. If you mix them, the yard prices everything as brass. Separate them before you sell.
What is a mixed metal load worth?
A mixed load gets priced at the lowest-value material present. Separate your metals to get the correct grade price for each component.
Do you accept mixed loads?
Yes, we accept mixed loads and can sort on-site for large commercial quantities. Call (754) 310-2984 to discuss your load.