Pics of what I want to cut

[Tritium]

Hey how do you think I just paid for MY plasma cutter ? Scrap metal!
Next is a Tig Welder. I think I have just about enough scrap (unusable for projects) left to make it thanks to three generations of my family who never threw anything away. Anyone rebuild old tractors and vehicles? I will make you a deal on an old MM 5 Star and a 1940's Dodge grain truck.

Thurmond

[Robert s]

Well at $170.00/ton, I would GUESS that a trailer has to be in the 2-3 ton range. lets just ballpark that at 5000 lb. toss out all that rotted wood inside the trailer (add a bag of weenies and a garden hose and the disposal process becomes a "recreational fire"). toss the tires, and whatever else aint metal, now down to 3500 lb. 1.75 x 170 = $297.50 x3trailers = $892.50. If tyhat math is right and i forgo a case of beer, I think I just figured out how to pay for a new plasma cutter! If I'm not even close, someone say so, so I can conjur up something else.

Well mike if you plan to cut it up and sell it then yes it is flawed math. We strip a lot of things here at the shop and some in the field that just won’t make it to the shop. Over the years I have found that the key to money in scrap is separation. So if I may break down your trailers like I would do it. First off I see 4 maybe 5 types of metal in these trailers; it just depends on how your local scrap yard buys it. I will list my local prices and definitions.

Short steel. ¼” or thicker but my yard has always included 3/16” as well they do require you to break it down to 36”X18” or smaller. Some yards also call this prepared iron. This also includes cast iron. $225 ton

Tin. This is all you’re thin steel. $165 ton.

Extruded aluminum. This is all alum. That is not possible to get from a flat sheet. Think of it as a shape that has to be made and not bent on a brake. Like the old play-dough machines we all played with as a kid. These were extrusion machines. Hope that explanation helps. $0.78 lb

Clip alum. Some yards get real picky on this classification and some do not. It can include some types of sheet but mostly pieces that are formed into more complex shapes on a brake. Seeing how the pieces are made can tell you a lot about the type alum. you are dealing with. $0.70 lb

Old sheet alum. Sheet alum. such as old siding or trailer skins. $0.40 lb.

Hope this helps it is a lot of info to take in I know but if you need help with the breakdown of the trailers just shoot me a PM. And a # and I can call you to talk about it in more detail. This being said I have bought these type trailers for $400 and maid good money on them. There are things that you can leave on some of the metals and some you can’t

[Mikeymetal]

Thanks Robert, and everyone else for the excellent responses. The detail stuff has helped us to make the decision to go ahead with the project. I'm thinking that the 70 amp unit fits our needs with room to spare.

[Robert s]

No problem Mike I just know for a fact that it doesn’t take much scrap to make $1,000 when it is selling well and now is not a bad time. I think that your choice of the 70 amp unit is a good choice.