If you have never sold scrap metal before, the process can seem opaque. What do you bring? How do you know what it is worth? What happens when you get there? This guide answers every question a first-time seller at Texoma Recycling in Ardmore has — from your garage to your pocket — in plain language.
The first thing you need to know is what metal you are dealing with. Scrap metal falls into two broad categories:
The easy test: hold a magnet to it. If it sticks firmly, it is ferrous. Ferrous metals are the most common scrap — old appliances, car parts, rebar, structural steel, farm equipment, pipes and beams. They pay less per pound than non-ferrous metals but are valuable at volume because they tend to be heavy.
If a magnet does not stick to it, it is likely non-ferrous — copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, lead, or nickel. Non-ferrous metals pay significantly more per pound than ferrous. Even a small amount of copper is worth sorting out from the iron and steel pile.
A cheap refrigerator magnet is the single most useful tool for sorting scrap metal. Ferrous = magnet sticks. Non-ferrous = magnet does not stick. Do this before you load anything.
| Metal | How to Identify | Common Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | Reddish-orange, magnet does not stick | Plumbing pipe, electrical wire, HVAC coils |
| Aluminum | Lightweight silver-gray, magnet does not stick | Cans, siding, window frames, rims |
| Brass | Yellowish-gold, heavier than aluminum | Plumbing fittings, valves, faucets |
| Stainless Steel | Shiny silver, weakly or non-magnetic | Kitchen appliances, sinks, industrial equipment |
| Regular Steel | Gray, strongly magnetic, may be rusty | Car bodies, beams, rebar, pipes |
| Cast Iron | Dark gray, very heavy, magnetic | Engine blocks, brake rotors, cookware |
| Lead | Very heavy, dull gray, soft | Car batteries, pipe insulation, wheel weights |
The most impactful thing you can do before your first trip is sort your metal into separate piles or containers:
You do not need to be perfectly sorted. Just keeping copper away from iron makes a meaningful difference because mixed loads often get paid at the lower category rate.
Before you load up and drive in, take two minutes to check what your load is worth. Our price calculator shows live rates for every metal category. Enter the approximate weight of each metal type and it calculates an estimate. This tells you whether the trip is worth making and what to expect at the scale.
First-timers often underestimate how much copper they have by weight. A five-gallon bucket of copper pipe weighs roughly 30 to 40 pounds. At current copper prices, that is real money. Do not leave it behind.
Oklahoma requires government-issued photo ID for scrap metal transactions — particularly for copper, aluminum, and other regulated materials. Bring your driver's license or state ID card every time. Without it, we cannot complete the transaction on regulated materials.
Texoma Recycling is at 971 Bussell Ridge Rd, Ardmore, OK 73401. Open Monday through Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm. No appointment needed. Get directions here.
When you arrive, drive toward the scale area. If you have a mixed load with both ferrous and non-ferrous material, let the crew know when you pull in — they will direct you to the right area and help you get sorted out.
Most first-time sellers are surprised by how fast the process is. From pulling in to having cash in hand, most visits take 15 to 30 minutes depending on load size and yard traffic. You do not need to schedule anything or fill out paperwork beyond the required ID recording for regulated materials.
No appointment needed for regular drop-off. For very large loads — a truck and trailer of heavy equipment, multiple vehicles — a quick call ahead is appreciated so we can make sure we have the right crew available.
Bring it in and we will identify it. Our crew grades material every day and can tell you what you have on the spot. You are under no obligation to sell once you know the grade and price.
There is no enforced minimum. Practically speaking, very small amounts of iron (under 10 to 20 lbs) may not be worth the trip from more than a few miles away. A few pounds of copper is always worth bringing in — the per-pound value makes even small loads worthwhile.
Yes. Pre-sorting helps your payout, but you can bring a mixed load and we will sort and weigh each category separately. You just spend a few more minutes at the yard while we work through the material.
Ready to make your first trip? Check the price calculator for today's rates, get directions to our Ardmore yard, or call us at (580) 490-2096 with any questions before you come in.
971 Bussell Ridge Rd, Ardmore OK - Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-2pm - no appointment needed.