What do you do with your swarf/chips

Back about 15 years ago my Dads neighbor, a scraper, auto/tractor mechanic and machinist would load the swarf into old cars before sending them to the crusher. That stuff has probably made it's way back here from China now for sale at Walmart. I save my aluminum and brass. I have already melted down some brass in my crucible furnace along with other scrap and made some trinkets. I may do the same with my aluminum. The steel I have been crushing down inside tin cans with an arbor press and giving to a local place that recycles scrap "for free" along with any other steel scrap. I don't have enough steel scrap to bother trying to sell. My Grandfather was a scrap metal dealer so I think it may be in my genes to not let it end up in a landfill.
 
Iron is good for plants. I put my steel in 5 gallon buckets, fill with water, a little soap and skim the oil off. Then leave outside a few months until rusted to nasty sludge and pour it on the trees and garden. My Purple Plum trees are a lot darker. Research iron plant supplements. Back to the earth from which it came.
Stan
http://www.toolfools.com/forum
 
I have a bunch of scrapper buddies (since i was one) driving around in rotted out trucks looking for metals and i give them mine 55 gal at a time. I asked one guy what he does with it and he says he fills up old washers, dryers and fridges to make them heavier. Years ago when i was a scrapper i filled up car trunks with swarf and metal beer cans if anyone is old enough to remember them...Bob
 
I sell my aluminum chip's ,save them in 55 gallon drums and twice a year take them do the recycler and he pays a fair price for them, they have a big indoor area they store them in.
Steel i take to the dump and put them in there metal recycling dumpster.
 
I knew someone years ago that paved his driveway with steel "chips". :nuts: Not sure I want to do that...:LOL:
 
I Have a 12"x 24" 1/4"wall tube. After I drain the coolant from the chips I fill the tube and tamp the swarf down with a heavy bar then I put it into the barell for recycling. The chips kind of lock themselves together and stay in a tite bundle.The scrap man sayed it looked good and put it in the tub. Works for me.
 
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