[tibberous]

Tearing out an old boiler, going to end up with probably 200' of 3/4" copper pipe. Thought about selling it in sections, but can't really see a big demand for it.

3/4" pipe is pretty heavy (145 grams a foot - and yes I cut off 1 foot and put it on a scale), so basically a pound every 3 feet.

Thinking it's worth about $200, which really isn't much, but I really don't think I'll ever need a ton of copper pipe.

Just wanted to see what the ballpark scrap price for copper was, and whether you guys think it's a good idea to scrap it.

 

[TheEplumber]

Tearing out an old boiler, going to end up with probably 200' of 3/4" copper pipe. Thought about selling it in sections, but can't really see a big demand for it.

3/4" pipe is pretty heavy (145 grams a foot - and yes I cut off 1 foot and put it on a scale), so basically a pound every 3 feet.

Thinking it's worth about $200, which really isn't much, but I really don't think I'll ever need a ton of copper pipe.

Just wanted to see what the ballpark scrap price for copper was, and whether you guys think it's a good idea to scrap it.

scrap it. Can't use it for domestic water since it's been used for heating
Check on line for recycle prices- it goes up and down periodically.
Separate the brass

 

[tibberous]

Can't use it for domestic water since it's been used for heating

Really? That's crazy - I'd use it for my water... But that probably would make it harder to sell.

I'll probably keep a couple pieces and enough to make a run between my water filter and hot water tank (will this increase the water pressure in my shower?) and scrap the rest. Either that or save it to use as money when the economy collapses or China attacks.

Online prices are showing like $2.70-3.00 a pound - seems kind of high though? I'm wondering if that isn't the price the scrapyard gets and then they pay a percent.

 

[TheEplumber]

Really? That's crazy - I'd use it for my water... But that probably would make it harder to sell.

I'll probably keep a couple pieces and enough to make a run between my water filter and hot water tank (will this increase the water pressure in my shower?) and scrap the rest. Either that or save it to use as money when the economy collapses or China attacks.

Online prices are showing like $2.70-3.00 a pound - seems kind of high though? I'm wondering if that isn't the price the scrapyard gets and then they pay a percent.

I think the further you get from reclaim centers and shippers the lower the price gets- more companies get their cuts before it gets to the market. I can drive 40 minutes to a larger town and get about 10 cents more a pound so I save up until I head that direction.
What surprised me one day is that I got $9 for a used 50 gal water heater- paid me according to weight. It had a fair amount of sediment in it too. Another place wanted to charge me to get rid of it. Like anything, shop around for the best dealer.
As for the water pressure, it will increase the volume but how much is hard to say- bigger is usually better right?

 

[tibberous]

I think the further you get from reclaim centers and shippers the lower the price gets- more companies get their cuts before it gets to the market. I can drive 40 minutes to a larger town and get about 10 cents more a pound so I save up until I head that direction.
What surprised me one day is that I got $9 for a used 50 gal water heater- paid me according to weight. It had a fair amount of sediment in it too. Another place wanted to charge me to get rid of it. Like anything, shop around for the best dealer.
As for the water pressure, it will increase the volume but how much is hard to say- bigger is usually better right?

Yeah - I really need to tear the shower apart and get a new head. Thought about even trying to make my own, it's basically just a copper circle with some holes in it - I could even make a rain shower that way if I wanted, just run 3-4 lines across the ceiling. If it wasn't behind drywall...

 

[SeniorSitizen]

$2.92 / lb. paid to you for 100-200 lbs.

 

[jbfan]

2.95-3.25 here abouts.

 

[user1007]

You can always look to see what refined copper is going for in the paper. You won't get that with scrap but it will give you an idea of the current market. People are still stealing gutters and donwnspouts from some old homes and churches in places. Some currencies with copper currency have a money crisis as the coinage is, illegally, being taken from circulation for its copper scrap value.