robgwv
Full Member
How can I tell brass from copper.Does it matter for scrapping?
The best way to determine is to hit it on a grinder. Copper is bright red, yellow brass is definitely yellow (think the coloration of gold), red brass is in between.
Older water pipe valves were commonly red brass. There is an in between grade called spigots which commands a price better than yellow but less than red.
If you do not have enough then spigots will be thrown in with the yellow until you leave. Then they will pull it out to get the better price.
Be sure to weigh your scrap before you take it in. If you just have a few pounds it does not matter but if the weights are off a pound on a 5 gallon bucket
that sure mounts up for the scrap yard.
If your scrap is being weighed on a old style balance beam scale (like the doctors offices use) check the counter weights to see if anything is on them. One scrap yard I used to deal with had a quarter laying on the back part of the counter weights. It amounted to 3 pounds per weighing.
Make sure your metal has all iron removed and contains only one grade of metal. Failing to properly prepare the metal will cost you dearly in price as the yard will deduct an amount to pay for their time to clean and segregate it. Please note that to clean does not mean the same as in metal detecting. Normal dirt or grease is expected.
There are dozens of grades of metal especially in stainless alloys and aluminum. As in everything else knowledge will yield you the best results.