OT Scrap steel...just the way it goes

Fred Werring · Feb 9, 2015

So I decided in December to change my flat trailer from mobile home wheels/hubs to 6 lug hubs/wheels/tires. Scrap steel was running $200/ton, figured I'd haul a couple loads and pay for the conversion.

Got the trailer finished this week, and steel is down to $80/ton.

Think it will be a while before I haul any.

Just the way it goes sometimes...but boy, it dropped fast

Fred

37chief · Feb 9, 2015

The last metal I sold was 7 ton of mixed. last Dec. I got 140.00 ton. I am saving the heavy stuff for when the price goes back up. Stan

big fred · Feb 10, 2015

West coast ports are pretty much shut down. Scrap isn't moving out.

DLMKA · Feb 10, 2015

I'm hoping prices of all commodities stay low for a while. Might keep the scrappers away at auctions for a while too.

sms · Feb 10, 2015

My brother works at a blacktop plant, in winter they rebuild equipment. Its been too cold to work outside dismantling stuff to repair so they cleaned out the shop, some stuff was scrapped, price dropped in about a week.

Ultradog MN · Feb 10, 2015

I know a BTO scrapper. Has a shear on a track hoe, a couple of balers for sheet iron, a bunch of trucks and dumpsters, etc. He's been in his glory days for the last few years. These prices are going to put a big hurt on him.
As to your trailer, I bought my trailer with trailer house axles on it. Used it for a year or so and went through about 3 tires. Got sick of that and converted to good 8 lug axles and wheels and brakes all around. I put drop axles on it and lowered the deck about 3".
It sure was a big improvement. You will be happy with yours I'm sure.

ss55 · Feb 10, 2015

Just like selling livestock, it pays to call ahead and check prices. Sometimes another buyer pays more or you can to hang on to them until the price goes up.

In the last month gasoline jumped from $1.79/$1.85 up to $2.09/$2.29 here.

Geo-TH,In · Feb 10, 2015

The workers at BP refinery in Whiting, In went on strike. Price jumped and then is on it way back down to $2.09. US oil reserves are at an all time high since the 80's.

I think there is a lot more back door deals to oil than the news reports. Like ISIS is funded partly or mostly through sell of oil. Run oil down, ISIS makes less.

Mike(NEOhio) · Feb 10, 2015

US and Saudis are pumping oil like crazy working to bankrupt Russia. 80% of their economy runs on oil sales and these low prices are killing them.

Mike M · Feb 10, 2015

Well staying out of the scrap yard may of just saved your new tires ?
I always hated to haul into our local yard with all the iron left laying around.

oldtanker · Feb 10, 2015

I get rid of mine whenever it gets in my way. Don't care about prices cause most often I don't take any cash for it. Wife's cousin's husband is a scrapper. He's a very good guy and most often if someone in the family needs a part they can just take it. Most of them also want money for what ever scrap they bring him. So because he's a really good guy, and he helps out people in the family he married into without expecting anything in return I just give him my scrap. But if I need something hauled he'll help me out by lending a trailer if needed (I'm the only one allowed to borrow it) or he'll even go fetch it for me with a simi at no charge. He won't even take money for fuel. He has an extensive tractor collection. He hates the very idea of crushing a tractor.

Rick

Robert Major · Feb 10, 2015

Hi Just phoned our local yard, Good stuffs $100 ton and cars/light junk $80 ton. This is in Manitoba Canada.
I just told the guy the same thing I haven't got a ton in the shop and I can't afford to replace the screwed up new tire for that price.
I might just take it to the municipal scrap pile for free. To unload you stay on good ground and don't risk your new tires %100 like you do in the other yard getting paid.
Regards Robert

JRSutton · Feb 10, 2015

funny you mention that. I haven't lost any tires myself, but I've seen a few friends lose tires in the local scrap yards.

The scrap yards aren't exactly eager to reimburse you.

ObsoElitist · Feb 10, 2015

$108 per ton of good steel in Stockton, CA today, and he says it won't turn upwards for at least 6 months.. i will be holding onto my pile for a while.

I spoke to an oil driller in Calgary today, he says due to the drop in oil prices he has to work very hard to keep his company afloat. I am OK with that!

casenut1 · Feb 10, 2015

Guess I'm lucky , the yard I go to is all concrete and swept with a magnet on a regular bases.

Fred Werring · Feb 10, 2015

I usually don't run with the trailer heavily loaded, you have to keep mobile home type tires inflated so high to keep them on the rims that I'd wear out the centers of the tires.

Wound up buying 6 lug hubs and can run 10 ply 15" tires, that'll handle anything I want to haul.

Fred

OT Scrap steel...just the way it goes

Fred Werring

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37chief

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big fred

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DLMKA

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sms

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Ultradog MN

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ss55

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Geo-TH,In

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Mike(NEOhio)

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Mike M

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oldtanker

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Robert Major

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JRSutton

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ObsoElitist

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casenut1

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Fred Werring

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