I am about to commence on some metal-based art project that require me to have access to a large amount of scrap metal. While I have found many places where you can buy new metal, it seems like you can only deposit your scrap metal (Altmetall) at these locations, and not really buy it.


Example: https://www.kurz-altmetalle.ch/en/Dienstleistungen.htm


This does anybody here have any advice on where might be a good place to get scrap metal as cheaply as possible? Since I'm not using the metal for construction, it does not necessarily need to be high quality or non-rusted.

What is a large amount for you?



Most of the scrap handlers sell by tons.

Bit of a wild card, but have you visited any Brockis? Or perhaps you could ask your neighbours to save their Alu for you? Maybe a bit of skip diving at the recycling depots?

I'm not sure if tons is what we would need. At this stage, it would likely be one ton at absolute maximum.

I don't have any direct answer but personally I would approach those companies, which collect/buy it. I would chose the smaller ones, they might enjoy dealing with an artist. If you build up a business relationship they might even put bits you're specially after aside after a while.
Just a thought.

Not sure how helpful it is, but once I needed to find some suitable bits of wood for my project, so I went to the local Okihof and asked. I was told to simply loiter and look out for any person bringing wood as part of their rubbish (bits of wood apparently go into rubbish). I presume you could wait by the metal recycling bin. Even if you don't get anything useful, you will at least know for sure if Okihof is the place for you. You can also have a look at old bike, prams for sale at Okihof shops.

When you travel, keep your eyes open for any recycling facilities and visit them later. If any local shops get renovated, I always see old pipes lying around. I am sure they wouldn't mind if you take a few.

If I see a 'one-stop-shop' place where you could skip around happily, picking bits and go crazy with new ideas, I will come back to this thread.

We have asked our neighbours for help with giving us their Alu, but the recycling depots in our area don't really have the kind of scrap metal we want.

It depends on what you're looking for. Our scrap is sorted into alu and steel and then bought from us by the ton. The alu is also seperated into swarf skips and bins for larger pieces.

From what I know the cost per ton isn't all that high, and maybe you couuld pop around a few of the industrial estates and ask for bits? I used to do that at home when I needed something small but of a certain form, there were a few machine shops who were happy to give away bits. Then again I was a student at the time so your mileage may vary.

I would still call the altmetal firms and tell them what you want to do and ask them if you can come by and buy a ton from them. Your other option would be construction firms. or if you want thin stuff visit companies that build air systems

I assume you are not looking for old dishwashers and all the other metal that comes out of average households. And surely you can grab a bit here and there, but the time and money that would costs would make it better to just buy a ton from an Altmetall firm for like double the price they pay so you would be looking at 150,- to 250,- for a ton depending on your grabs.

OP make sure they tell you they don't mind! Scrap metal is a business, just taking it is considered stealing. Officially, not morally. TIS.

I was just asking one of the guys and they said for their own private projects they often go to http://www.metall-laden.ch/
They have a selection of profiles and the likes but not in large amounts, its a for profit company so maybe not what you're looking for.

The big difference between metal and wood is that customers normally have to pay to get rid of wood but metal is usually free. The recycling places make money by selling on the metal but not the wood.

Yeah we would prefer to get more sheets of metal or large parts of machines than old dishwashers. Of course we looked at some Altmetall firms, but I was just curious to see if there was any other option, especially since we don't have a specific need for one kind or quality of metal.

Steel, or aluminum?

Tom

Copper, or brass?

Tom

This place looks great! We shall look further into them, as well as maybe call some companies who might produce Altmetall on the side. Does anyone by any chance know any companies who would produce this?

At this point, we would open to steel, iron, aluminum, brass– basically any type of metal. What I am trying to do right now is build up our "palette", so that we can see what we have greater access to before embarking on our projects.