Reuse
Preferred path. Remachinable drops, blanks, bar ends, billets — reuse before melt.
Valuation · Reuse before scrap
How we value solids
We value remachinable solids as reusable stock because another machinist can still make a part from them. Certified and clearly identifiable lots earn the strongest offers. Unlabeled solids may get a lower offer or an ID hold. Motto: we don't pay scrap prices for material that isn't scrap.
Four triage paths (after solids clear intake)
Processed
Needs sort, clean, or one cut before reuse or specialty exit.
Specialty
Solid carbide scrap shapes, verified exotic alloy solids when not rem-cut friendly.
Scrap (residual)
Exit only when reuse/specialty fail — not an intake product for chips.
Grades A–D (solids that passed intake)
| Grade | Meaning | Typical effect |
|---|---|---|
| A | Segregated solid, known alloy, certs/heat when applicable, photo-verified, remachinable | Top reuse band |
| B | Mostly segregated, alloy known or plausible, light gaps in docs | Reuse stock; below cert-backed A |
| C | Weak ID / limited reuse; sellable after discount or processing | Near scrap or small premium after review |
| D / ID hold | Unlabeled, conflicting ID, contamination, or ownership risk | ID hold, steep discount, or decline |
Unlabeled Ti / Ni / tool-steel solids usually land in ID hold or decline — see specialty solids. Shop-floor checks that narrow down an unmarked drop before you send it: how to identify unmarked drops. Titanium specifics (Grade 5 vs CP, certs, heat numbers): sell titanium drops. Inconel 718 / 625 drops: sell Inconel drops. Hastelloy, Monel and other nickel alloys: sell Hastelloy and Monel drops. Carbon / alloy (1018, 1045, 4140, 4340): sell carbon and alloy steel drops. Solid carbide scrap $/lb vs reuse value: what carbide rod & blanks are worth.
Cash buy when ownership and grade are clear. Consignment when reuse upside is unclear — written split only. Humans approve every real-dollar offer.
Submit solids for review Solids we buyFAQ
Why value solids as stock, not scrap?
Remachinable solids still have usable length/thickness — another machinist can make a part without buying new stock. Scrap pricing assumes melt. Reuse review is for material that still functions as stock, especially when certified and clearly labeled. Chips stay on the scrap path.
What is an ID hold?
Unlabeled, conflicting, or uncertain identity on a solid lot may get a lower offer, an ID hold until identity is clear, or a decline. We will not invent an alloy or grade. Specialty Ti / Ni / tool-steel unmarked lots usually land here — see specialty solids.
How do Grades A–D work?
After solids clear intake: A = segregated, known alloy, certs/heat when applicable, photo-verified, remachinable → top reuse band. B = mostly segregated, alloy known or plausible → reuse stock, below cert-backed A. Lower grades / D / ID hold = unlabeled, contamination, or ownership risk → steep discount, hold, or decline. No public price board.
Is reuse-before-melt a carbon claim?
No. We don't invent CO₂ numbers, LEED/ISO green badges, or “tons diverted” stats. The green idea is honest and modest: prefer reuse before melt when geometry allows; don't crush remachinable drops just to fill a scrap bin.
Do mill certs / MTRs matter?
Yes. Certified and clearly identifiable solids unlock the strongest reuse-first offers after review. Partial docs help less than full certs + clear stamps; unknown ID limits the band. More: do mill certs raise the offer?
What does Grade C mean?
Grade C is a solid with weak identification or limited reuse, for example short drops or mixed stamps within one alloy family. It can still sell after a discount or some processing, so the offer is near scrap or a small premium after review. Better labels or certs can move a lot up a grade.
How do I get the best grade on my solids?
Keep alloys separated, leave stamps and tags visible, include mill certs, MTRs, or heat numbers if you have them, and send clear photos with rough sizes and piece counts. Segregated, identified, remachinable lots grade highest. See Sell solids.
Do you pay cash or consignment?
Cash when ownership and grade are clear. Consignment only when the reuse upside is unclear, and only with a written split agreed before anything moves. A person approves every real-dollar offer.
What happens to solids you can't reuse?
If a solid can't be remachined or sold as specialty material, it goes to ordinary recycling as the last exit. Chips, turnings, swarf, and mixed scrap piles aren't accepted at intake at all.