General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat can I make with a pallet load of very light sheet metal scraps, 3 x 5 feet or so each?
They are cut-off from making steel siding,
I used one sheet to fix a hole in the bed of my trailer. I have 99 (sheets) left.
The big rolls they came from were rolled in China, so they have to deal with that part. But we have to deal with the scraps.
They will foul our environment if I can't figure out a way for them to pay for their own disposal. And while I know it isn't earth-shattering, I like to find good uses for manufacturing waste.
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)cut them smaller, and make those old fashioned metal ceiling tiles, like used to be in kitchens? Donate them to a high school's workshop or body shop?
raging moderate
(4,317 posts)I know that I felt so lucky to get such a piece of metal when I had to patch a hole in the floor of our mobile home, back when we had two toddlers. My husband was working overtime, but we still had very little money. There must be a bunch of people who would appreciate getting such pieces of metal.
Or you could build a shed in your own back yard.
I'd probably build a storage shed.
But that's not terribly creative.
Try some of these ideas-
http://www.instructables.com/howto/sheet+steel/
ChisolmTrailDem
(9,463 posts)...do they have? What gauge are they?
jtuck004
(15,882 posts)at that stack for a long time.
It's a light gauge, I am guessing it would be in 30s if there is such a thing in gauges. but they called it "coils", and they had a bunch of them, all with Chinese writing. They bought their own presses, and covered their roofs, and started creating the siding for whole buildings to hold more stuff on their place.
These are the cut-offs. I can bend them with my hands with not too much effort, but using metal screws I attached it to my trailer deck, and now one cannot fall through the holes.
There is Maker cell of folks around here, I might see if they are interested.
LuvLoogie
(7,069 posts)Go to the district in your area where they recycle metals. Find the scavenger with the most beat up truck and show him the picture and the sample. If he wants it, tell him he can come and get it, gratis.
Lather, rinse, repeat...
fierywoman
(7,705 posts)House siding (overlappping?) (patchwork)? roof? Bathroom walls? Kitchen backsplash? I like the Habitat for Humanity idea.
Retrograde
(10,181 posts)An organization called TechShop, which offers shop space for people who make all sorts of stuff, may be able to use them directly, or put you in touch with metalworkers who need them. There's a group in San Francisco called S.C.R.A.P. which makes donated material available to artists and teachers - even if they're out of your area they might be able to put you in touch with similar groups in your area.
There are still schools that have shop classes: they may also want free materials. And if all else fails, there are scrap metal dealers who will pay not particularly great money, but the metal may ultimately get melted down and reused.
jtuck004
(15,882 posts)http://spokane.craigslist.org/mad/5541193882.html
It's all leftovers from their projects. It's a business, however, so there are more productive uses for the space it is taking up, and I know they would make better deals.
I can think of a bunch of uses for it, just hate seeing good project material not being utilized.
The idea of getting it to people for siding, etc, is really good. I will suggest they see if someone local could use a pallet, if they have much left at the end of the summer.
Shankapotomus
(4,840 posts)When people build a tiny house on wheels they put metal flashing between the bottom of the house and the trailer. This looks like it could be used for that and a lot of tiny house builders will look for free material when they are on a tight budget.
Right next to you, in Oregon, they are big on tiny houses on wheels.
Shandris
(3,447 posts)...interested in that, as well as (maybe, as I'm much less familiar with this group) RenFair merchants. Also home brewers could make distillers and such. Of course, I'm pretty much just joining the choir here, but...
AngryAmish
(25,704 posts)That may be worth 50 or so. Then spend it on beer.
Baobab
(4,667 posts)I would use PCB material for the 'chassis part and two pieces one for the top/sides and the other for the front bottom back
you can paint it once its done.
JustAnotherGen
(32,025 posts)Metal, Iron, Copper, etc etc.
Check into some art schools and see if they can use it.