Finding scrap is a good way to make money. How to find "iron"? How to get it, because often metal does not roll on the surface, but is hidden in the thickness of the earth? How to choose a metal detector and configure it for an optimal search? This article will answer all these and other questions.
Metal detector selection
It is from this that the path of any collector of recycled metal should begin. Which metal detector is better for searching for scrap? In fact, almost anything - the brand and price does not play a special role. Find the metal underground even under the power of the simplest and cheapest device. Moreover, choosing an expensive professional metal detector, you significantly increase its payback period. Is it worth it?
An inexpensive model for 5000-6000 rubles will pay off in the near future: for this you only need to hand over about a ton of metal. But if you bought an expensive metal detector for 40-50 thousand, then consider for yourself how much effort and time you need to spend to “recapture” this money.
Someone argues that professional metal detectors are better and more expensive for a reason. Of course, they have a larger search radius, they search deeper, and they distinguish ferrous and non-ferrous metals very well. The question here is whether these characteristics are important to you. After all, if the secondary metal is collected for change, then its type does not matter. Depth also does not play a special role. Ferrous metal is found in large sizes, and as a rule, even the weakest metal detector “senses” it.
Where to look for scrap?
When you have decided on the equipment, it's time to think about where to search for scrap metal. Perspective areas are fields, and it does not matter if they are currently being processed or not. After all, there can be many broken spare parts from equipment that used to be left right on the field. Pay particular attention to the edges. Working with a metal detector in this way, from one field you can gain up to 200 kg in just a couple of hours of work.
It is worth a glimpse into agricultural buildings: sheds, farms, hayfields and others. Do not bypass industrial buildings, such as repair shops, abandoned hangars and workshops, forges and car services. A lot of non-ferrous metal can be found in landfills with industrial waste, but the competition is serious. If you're lucky, you can find spent cartridges on an abandoned landfill.
But where you shouldn’t go, it’s to the places of potential recreation for people. There are often many cans and beer cans, as well as other garbage. So the metal detector signals will be simply useless.
How to work with a metal detector
Finding scrap metal with a metal detector is a very simple process. You come to the site, take out the equipment from the cover and start methodically combing it, trying not to miss the slightest shred. Remember that metal can lie deep below the surface of the earth, especially black, because things from it are quite massive. Therefore, you have to dig a lot. Do not forget to grab a shovel, and be sure to throw pits behind you with earth.
Metal detector settings
Even the best metal detector to search for scrap metal will be useless if you do not know how to handle it or have incorrectly set the settings for work. The optimal frequency will be 3 kHz. Inexpensive metal detectors have a working coil frequency of 6.5 kHz, which is also suitable for searches. And high-frequency metal detectors with parameters of 10 kHz and higher are undesirable for collecting metal: due to the accuracy in the search for small objects, they suffer from depth.
Before work, do not forget to set the “All Metals” mode, otherwise your device will not respond to all types of secondary metal.
Magnet scrap search
A search magnet is a good addition to a metal detector. It is useful when working in areas with ponds, as well as where you can not work with a shovel. The magnet is an alloy of iron with boron and neodymium, enclosed in a durable steel case. Magnets differ in power, alloy composition, degree of magnetization, and other characteristics. There are single and double-sided magnets, which directly affects the usability and the distance from which you can search. In addition, the weight of the magnet also varies.
A neodymium magnet is practically eternal and does not demagnetize. For 10 years of continuous operation, it can lose only 1% of its original capacity. However, you need to be careful not to heat the magnet - otherwise it will lose most of the search properties.
When used intensively in rivers, swamps and wells, the galvanizing layer on the magnet can be scratched, and it will gradually begin to rust. To prevent this, be sure to clean and dry the magnet after each use.
Safety precautions
The search for scrap metal is, of course, fascinating, but still difficult and unsafe. Observe safety precautions both when searching and when loading found metal objects. Do not load large heavy elements by the tilting method, and be sure to put the car on handbrake when loading.
When cutting metal, do not forget about gloves and goggles. If you find closed metal containers of unfamiliar purpose, do not disassemble them - there may be combustible gas inside. It is not worth risking your health and even life, it is better to hand over suspicious objects like ferrous metal without disassembling.
Going to construction and industrial landfills, choose shoes with durable thick soles. In such places, there are nails and other sharp objects that can be easily injured.
Recommendations and Tips
You can make search for scrap more effective through self-promotion. In crowded places, post scrap metal announcements. Often people want to get rid of accumulated trash, so you can get metal without difficulty.
After fires, you can offer to help disassemble the ashes in order to find and pass charred objects containing metal. By the way, after burning transformers or motors at the stake, you can get copper.
It is best to collect scrap metal on the weekend, when people are more willing and more likely to get rid of large garbage. Remember the legendary “Subbotniks” - on this very day luck will definitely be on your side!
