Everyone knows that you can earn a bit of cash when you recycle plastic bottles and tin cans. These are the most commonly recycled items around the county, but the money earned isn’t very significant. What many forget about is the scrap copper & brass sales value when they are sold for recycling. These two metals are very valuable and many junk shops pay a good price to get your “trash” off your hands.

The Magnet Test

The first step into metal recycling is to know if what you have is a ferrous or non-ferrous metal. This is very easy to do with the help of a magnet. Simply bring a piece of magnet close to the metal to see if it sticks. If the magnet sticks, you have a ferrous metal, most probably either steel or iron which aren’t very valuable. However, if the magnet does not stick to the metal, you probably have a non-ferrous piece that can be worth a lot when recycled.

Two of the most valued scrap metals are copper & brass pieces. Here’s more information about the copper & brass recycling and how to take advantage of it:

Copper Scraping 101

Copper and brass are different in many aspects. First of all, copper is considered as a true metal and most copper pieces have the same composition: copper. Brass on the other hand is a type of alloy made with a mix of copper, zinc, and other compounds. Since copper scrap is pure, scrap yards put more value in them. In fact, they are the most valued and highly priced scrap metal all over the country.

Before you get excited about recycling the copper tubes and wires you have at home, you also need to learn about copper classification. Most junk shops will segregate the scrap copper you bring into two categories: #1 copper and #2 copper. What this basically means is #1 copper are pipes that are clean of solder, brass, and other components. #2 copper are tubes and pipes that have solder or other brass fittings.

Although it can be hard for a novice to spot the differences immediately, it helps to know these small details so you don’t get tricked into selling your scrap copper for less. Keep these in mind because when copper is in good condition, it has a lot of value.

Brass Scraping 101

As mentioned before, brass is a type of metal alloy made mostly with copper and zinc. Sometimes it can also have iron and other components to add strength or to enhance its machinability. Brass pipes and tubes are commonly used for plumbing and they are valued for their ability to withstand corrosion, excellent heat conductivity, and durability. Although brass has many of these amazing qualities, it is not as highly prized as copper because it is not “pure”.

Just like copper, there are two types of copper with one being more valuable than the other. Yellow brass has lesser value because it contains more zinc than copper. Red brass which has a higher copper content has a higher price per pound in scrap yards. They are very easy to sort out by sight due to the striking color difference.

Why Choose to Recycling Copper & Brass?

Aside from the obvious extra cash for trading in your junk, there are other reasons to recycle metals and alloys like copper and brass. First, it does help cut down carbon emissions because it takes less energy to recycle than it does to dig for virgin ores. Second, recycled copper and brass cost less to make so they also cost less when bought. Third, it is the responsible thing to do because there is no room inside landfills. Cut down on waste and start recycling. It is the first step in making metal use more sustainable.

Sources:

How to Recycle Metal, Earth911.com
Difference Between Copper & Brass Scrap, IScrapApp.com

Brass square tubing and other brass pieces are popular because of their malleability, durability, and beauty. Despite all this, there are still instances where brass can get damaged, cracked, and sometimes even break off entirely. When this happens, some make the mistake of immediately replacing and ditching the damaged piece and just throw out the damaged pieces. The truth is that there’s still a way to have those metal pieces soldered together. Here’s a quick guide to soldering brass.

Step 1: Materials

Soldering is largely about getting all the right tools and having a good workspace. Gather the following materials:

• Soldering torch
• Preferred solder and flux brand
• Fire bricks
• Hammer
• Tweezers
• Metal file
• Broken brass pieces
• Sanding pad
• Alcohol swab

Step 2: Preparation

Find a clean space where you can solder safely. Remove anything flammable from the area and choose a spot that is well ventilated. A small fan will also help in blowing away the fumes. You can also create a small but safe space for soldering using fire-resistant bricks to contain the heat from your blow torch.

Step 3: Cleaning

The cleaner the brass parts, the better the soldering results become. File down the parts that need soldering using sand paper or something similar. Be sure to remove the lacquer layer or the solder will not stick. After filing, wipe the surface with alcohol to move all oils and fine particles.

Step 4: Applying Flux and Solder

The flux is a clear liquid that goes with the solder to create a stronger bond. The solder is usually a round wire which makes it harder to stick and stay in place. However, pounding the material flat will help it stay flat. Add a drop of flux to the solder. Do not let the flux touch your tools because it is very corrosive.

Step 5: Heat

Reinforce the bond using the torch. Apply equal heat on both sides to seal the pieces together. Move the flame continuously to allow the heat to spread all over the brass piece. Pay close attention to avoid overheating.

Step 6: Cooling and Clean

Allow the newly soldered pieces to cool so that they set properly before cleaning it. Dry and clean off excess solder and residual flux. If you were very careful there shouldn’t be too much excess to deal with.

Practice, Practice, Practice

It won’t be easy to solder brass at first, but with time and practice you will slowly master the technique and repair broken pieces like a pro.

Sources:

A Quick Guide to Soldering Brass, DavidNeat.Wordpress.com

Working with Brass, Part 3 – Soldering Brass – Dug’s Tips 15, Cabaret.co.uk