Name: Second Street Iron & Metal Co., Inc.
Address: 285 Second Street, Everett, MA, 02149, US
Telephone: (617) 387-1188

January 05th, 2023

1/5/2023

1 Comment

What Types Of Scrap Metal Are In A Computer?

If you have a damaged or broken computer that holds little resale value, you can sell it to a scrap metal recycling facility for the valuable metals components it contains! The composition and types of metal used in computers has changed a lot in the last few decades, therefore the scrap value of computers has followed suit. Still, many computers contain several parts that are made from valuable metals like gold, platinum, copper, and more. In this article, we’ll talk about the different types of metals that you can find within a computer and where to look for them!

Looking to sell scrap metal in the Greater Boston area? Contact Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett, MA, to learn about our scrap metal purchasing services!

Gold
Gold is widely used in computers, especially in older ones. Gold can be found in many different places within a computer, including in CPU chips, RAM boards, motherboards, and hard drives. Gold is the most desired element when a computer is scrapped and a large part of the reason that scrap metal recycling facilities purchase broken computers. In newer computers, gold is often replaced by copper contact points, which is not as valuable to recycling facilities.

Copper
Copper is one of the more sought-after metals to a scrap metal recycling facility. As mentioned above, copper is commonly used in newer computers in place of gold components. Inside a computer, copper can be found in the computer wire, ribbon wire, CPU chips, power supply, and more.

Aluminum
Aluminum is one of the most abundant materials in a computer because it’s often what the frame of the desktop is made of. Aluminum can also be found in the hard drive casing, heatsink on top of the CPU chip, and several other places. When looking for aluminum inside your computer, you should keep in mind that it is NOT magnetic, which will help you differentiate it from steel and other similar-looking metals.

Steel
While steel is not worth a ton of money at a scrap facility, you can still earn some cash for it. Steel can be found in many different places within a computer, including the frame of the desktop tower, screws, drive frames, and more. Steel is magnetic, so it should be fairly easy to tell apart from some of the other metals that can be found in a computer.

Other Metals
It’s not extremely common, but some older computers contain precious metals like platinum and silver. If these metals are present within your computer, you’ll likely find them in the circuit boards, computer chips, keyboard membrane, hard drive, or circuit boards.

Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!
If you're ready to start recycling scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, Second Street Iron & Metal is here for you! Our facility, located in Everett, is in the perfect location to accommodate all of the Greater Boston region! We strive to give our clients the best prices for all kinds of scrap metal! Give us a call at (617) 387-1188 or fill out the contact form on our website, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible!

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December 06th, 2022

12/6/2022

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How To Identify The Most Common Types Of Scrap Metal

Because different metals are worth different amounts, being able to identify what kind of metal you have is a key component of scrap metal recycling! Metals can be split into two categories: ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Ferrous metals are magnetic, while non-ferrous metals are not. Some of the most common types of non-ferrous metals include brass, bronze, aluminum, lead, and copper. The most common types of ferrous metals are steel and iron. In this article, we’ll give you tips on how you can identify each different type of scrap metal! If you’re ready to sell scrap metal for cash, come see us at Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett, MA!

Copper

Most people who are familiar with construction projects have some sort of knowledge about copper. Copper is a non-ferrous metal that you can often find lying around after the completion of most homes & buildings. Copper is one of the most valuable types of scrap metal, so it’s a great idea to keep your eye out for it! You can usually identify copper by its color. Copper has a reddish-brown hue (like a penny), while brass (which is sometimes confused for copper) has more of a yellowish tint. Keep and eye out for copper in piping, wiring, and electronics!

Aluminum

Aluminum can be found in everything from soda cans to airplane parts! While aluminum is not the most valuable scrap metal by weight, the abundance of this metal makes it easy to find a lot of it, which can then be turned into cash! In fact, aluminum is the most recycled metal in America! Aluminum is typically a silver-colored metal that is very light and completely non-magnetic.

Brass

Brass is a metal alloy made from copper and zinc. While brass is not quite as valuable as copper, it is more abundant in some places. Brass is commonly found in musical instruments, pipes, valves, and more. Brass typically has a yellowish hue with a touch of red and is much heavier than most other non-ferrous metals!

Steel

Steel is one of the most common metals on the planet and can be found virtually anywhere! You can test to see if a metal is steel by putting a magnet to it. If the magnet sticks, it’s likely steel. If it doesn’t, then you’ll know for sure that it is not steel! Steel is also relatively heavy and hard, while other metals like aluminum are light and soft. While steel is not the most valuable metal, it is abundant and can be found easily!

Sell Scrap Metal to Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett, MA!

Second Street Iron & Metal purchases many different types of scrap metal for the best prices in the Greater Boston area! Our recycling services are open to businesses, demolition companies, homeowners, and the general public in the Boston region. Contact us today to get started by giving us a call at (617) 387-1188 or by filling out the contact form on our website!

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November 03rd, 2022

11/3/2022

1 Comment

Can I Sell A Catalytic Converter To A Scrap Metal Facility?

Catalytic converters are valuable car parts that are often sold to scrap metal facilities. These parts contain precious metals and are therefore worth more to a scrap facility than other parts of the car like the muffler, battery, rims, shell, etc. If your catalytic converter or vehicle as a whole has reached the end of its useful life, you can sell it to a scrap facility and earn some cash! The price that a recycling facility will pay you for your scrap metal is determined by a few factors, including metal type and weight; therefore, selling a heavy vehicle with lots of metal parts to your local scrap facility can earn you a nice chunk of "change"! In this article, we'll dive deeper into catalytic converters and give you some tips on when you should sell yours!

What is a Catalytic Converter?

The catalytic converter is part of a car's exhaust system that converts harmful engine exhaust into emissions that are less harmful to the environment. Most catalytic converters turn hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides (bad stuff) into carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor (not-as-bad stuff). The catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system and is located on the underside of the car between the engine and the muffler. Catalytic converters contain precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which makes them expensive and valuable to scrap metal recycling facilities.

When You Should Sell A Catalytic Converter To A Scrap Metal Recycling Facility

A catalytic converter can last for decades but should be replaced when it starts developing faults frequently. When it's time to get rid of your catalytic converter, a scrap metal recycling facility can recycle the converter to pay you handsomely. Therefore, if your catalytic converter is experiencing the following faults, you should consider selling it and getting a replacement!

Poor Performance

The catalytic converter could be at fault when your vehicle starts performing below expectations. Symptoms of a faulty catalytic converter include higher-than-usual fuel consumption, unexpected noises, and losses of power. If you bring your vehicle to a mechanic and they tell you that you need a new catalytic converter, be sure to sell your old one at a scrap facility!

Failed Inspection

Most states carry out emission tests to ascertain that a vehicle is not causing environmental pollution. Your car's catalytic converter needs replacement if it fails emission inspection. To reduce the cost when getting a new one, you should sell the catalytic converter to a scrap metal facility!

Excessive Smoke

Another sign that your car's catalytic converter may be faulty is if it releases excessive dark smoke from the exhaust. A vehicle with an exhaust system that is in good condition should not let out black smoke. This usually won't stop your car from moving, but it is not a sign you should ignore.

Mileage

Mileage can cause a catalytic converter to develop a fault once it is past its prime. The metals in a catalytic converter can break down over time and become less effective. You should check to make sure that your catalytic converter is still in good, working condition every 150,000 miles or so.

Sell Your Scrap Metal To Second Street Iron & Metal!

If you're ready to start recycling scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, Second Street Iron & Metal is here for you! Our facility, located in Everett, is in the perfect location to accommodate all of the Greater Boston region! We strive to give our clients the best prices for all kinds of scrap metal! Give us a call at (617) 387-1188 or fill out the contact form on our website, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible!

1 Comment

September 30th, 2022

9/30/2022

1 Comment

Everything You Need To Know About Scrap Metal Grades

If you’re planning on selling scrap metal and want the best price for it, sorting it into grades can make the process easier and ensure that you’re getting the most for your metals. In this article, we’ll talk about the different grades of scrap metal and their differences in value!

Scrap Metal Grades

It might seem like taking the time to figure out the grades of the metal that you’re selling is a waste of your time, but it can be worth it. Taking some time to sort the metal by grade will give you a better idea of what each type of metal is worth, giving you an accurate estimation of the money you can take home from the scrap facility!

Mixed Scrap

Mixed scrap is a bundle of different metals with different levels of cleanliness. Mixed scrap is often sold in bulk bundles from dealers, estate sales, and home renovation projects. Cleaning, separating, and grading these mixed bundles can increase the amount of money that you get for the pieces.

Brass

In order to be considered “clean”, brass can only have up to 5% mixed materials with it. However, some scrap services will accept brass mixed with copper even if there is more than 5% copper.

Stainless Steel

Like brass, stainless steel is considered “clean” when it has 5% or below mixed materials.

Aluminum

There are a couple of different grades for aluminum. Food and beverage cans like soda cans are the most commonly found type of aluminum and are considered the low end of the aluminum spectrum. “Clean” aluminum sheets have less than 5% other materials with nails and screws removed. Dirty aluminum sheets have more than 5% other materials. Extruded aluminum is also considered to be clean if it has under 5% other materials but dirty if it has more than 5% other materials or is corroded.

Solid Copper

There are two grades of solid copper. Copper 1 must have no brass at all, and it can’t have any corrosion. Copper tubing and pipes that aren’t corroded are often good examples of copper 1. Copper wires that have no insulation and are thicker than the lead of a pencil are also copper 1. Copper 2 is mixed with brass or has over 5% other materials. Corroded copper is also considered to be copper 2.

Copper Wire

Insulated copper wire is graded differently than solid copper. There are three separate grades of copper wire based on the insulation and the weight of the copper inside. 25% copper wire is heavily insulated wire. It’s the lowest grade and is not typically worth as much money as other copper wires. 45% copper wire has less insulation, but the amount of copper inside is thinner than the lead of a pencil. 55% copper wire has the thinnest insulation, and the copper wire inside is thicker than the lead of a pencil.

Sell Scrap Metal To Second Street Iron & Metal In Everett, MA!

If you’re ready to start recycling scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, Second Street Iron & Metal is here for you! We’re always looking to buy a wide variety of different types of scrap metal, including ferrous & non-ferrous metals, appliances, equipment, junk vehicles, and more! In addition to scrap metal purchasing, we also provide our clients with roll-off dumpster rentals! Contact us today by giving us a call at (617) 387-1188 or by filling out the contact form on our website!

1 Comment

August 31st, 2022

8/31/2022

3 Comments

Common Scrap Metal Recycling Myths

Unless you work in an industry that produces large amounts of scrap metal, you’re probably not extremely familiar with the scrap metal recycling process. Like everything else, scrap metal recycling has its fair share of myths about what it means and what it entails. Anyone with any amount of scrap metal in their possession should be enthusiastic about the idea of being paid for these leftover pieces of metal, appliances, and even cars that they have no use for! However, misinformation has led some to be skeptical of the idea of scrap metal recycling and dismiss the process as something not worth doing. Realistically, recycling your scrap metal isn’t only worth doing, but it’s very beneficial to you, the environment, and your local economy! Below, we’ll debunk some of these myths so you can have a better sense of exactly what you’re in for when you go to sell your scrap metal!

Scrap Metal Myths vs. Truths

“Recycling scrap metal isn’t an economical practice”
- The time, manpower, and resources it takes to mine and process metals from the Earth are much more costly than the process of recycling metals. By recycling metals, you’re actually lowering the prices of metallic products and putting otherwise useless metals back into circulation where they can be put to good use!
“It’s better to let landfills take my scraps for me”
- On the contrary, landfills are not good places for scrap metal. Not only do they have no potential there, but paying to put your scrap metal in a landfill where it’ll never be used again is only contributing to the over-consumption of the planet’s natural resources. Worst of all, certain metals such as lead and mercury contaminate the surrounding Earth and bodies of water!
“There’s no demand for scrap metal”
- Actually, the demand for scrap metal is only growing as companies continue to look for more eco-friendly (and less expensive) means of production. Scrap metals, which are just as good and less expensive than regular metals, are increasingly sought-after. As they grow in popularity, this also creates more jobs at recycling centers within the community.
“Metal recycling facilities are dangerous”
- While there are some rather large and “dangerous” pieces of equipment and machinery that go into recycling metal, these machines and their uses have strict regulations that ensure the safety of their operators and everyone else in the facility. Every team member in the facility is specially trained and qualified to handle their equipment in order to keep all customers and employees safe from harm!

Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!

At Second Street Iron & Metal, we purchase many different types of scrap metal for the best prices in the Greater Boston area! Our recycling services are open to businesses, demolition companies, homeowners, and the general public in the Boston region. Contact us today to get started by giving us a call at (617) 387-1188 or by filling out the contact form on our website!

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