Potential Scrap Machine Tools !

[machinistsg91]

I'd like to start by establishing that I DO NOT CONSIDER ANY WORKING MACHINE TO BE "SCRAP" !

I don't have any shop space much less any thought starting a machine shop at this moment.
A plant in my area is intended to be shut down in the next year.

how profitable would it be if I were to buy up some of the machine tools for " pennies on the dollar " and transport them up to a local scrap yard ?

I would like to add that i have transportation costs covered by a friend who owns a flat bed tractor trailer , and a family member who has his own scrap yard who i anticipate getting the most dollar per pound of metal.

Its just a thought , maybe someone on this forum has done the same ? or considered it at one point....

Thank you for your input

 

[Kingbob]

uhh..., ask your family member what he's willing to pay you per pound for cast iron? Why are you asking strangers on the internet? I scrapped a 1930's era cylindrical grinder and an old horizontal mill on separate occasions. The deal I made with the trucker both times was get paid at the scrap yard and leave me out of it.
Ever seen a guy that makes a living on selling scrap metal? I don't think they do too well.

 

[Rob F.]

It would take longer but you would make way more money selling them to people who will use them.

 

[moonlight machine]

So you are just going to waltz in there and and ace out all the scrappers that know all the ins and outs of the business. Good luck with that.

 

[michiganbuck]

I think you might be lucky to make 25 an hour dealing scrap.
If one knows machines and takes off the most sellable parts there might be profit.

 

[john.k]

Latest price I see for iron is 30c/kg.....thats $300 Oz /ton ,or 200US /ton..........I scrapped 50 ton of my collection when I sold the yard ....at that time it was $400/ton ,and IMHO ,when people are offering you silly low prices for machines ,then scrap them.......Transport cost was zero ,as the scrap yard supplies a bin ,and provided you put 5 ton+ in it ,no charge............One of my favourites is ...."How much is that crank grinder ?" ..."I reckon its 5 ton ,so I want $2000 for it "......." I offer you $1000 for it"......."I just said its worth $2000 as scrap".........."Its not worth that much "..... "yeah ,it is !"

 

[Mebfab]

I would like to add that i have transportation costs covered by a friend who owns a flat bed tractor trailer , and a family member who has his own scrap yard who i anticipate getting the most dollar per pound of metal.

You anticipate a family member to not take advantage of you? You might want to put a hat on, you are getting to much sun. Family will brutalize you faster then anyone....