Hi,
Checking the classifieds this morning for whatever, I noted someone selling some leftover brass and stainless rod stock.
Now, I don't understand the commodities market... there is some base value that gold, say, is worth on the market. Let's peg it at $900/oz. But if I'm buying scrap, it should cost less than $900, and if I'm buying refined alloyed ingots or even better, sheets, gold leaf, wire, etc., it should cost rather more than $900. What is that commodity priced based on? Is it for cast ingot form, not scrap, or further worked sheets and wires?
I'm actually making walking cane heads out of stainless; figure it'll be cheaper than brass and won't stain the user's hands like aluminum will. I have no idea what alloy he has (and nor does he), or how to test for it; but anything really should work for such a general and low-key operation as a walking stick head? If it's about 75 pounds' worth, but is refined, better than scrap for sure; what should I offer? I should offer more than scrap price, which i found was $.75-$.85/lb depending on just what alloy he has; but much less than "retail" price because I've limited myself to just
1.5" diameter rod and fully 75 pounds of it, compared to picking out various sizes from the huge selection of the suppliers down at the dock. The other option is that the brass might make a good cane head, and more rustic with the tarnish besides...thanks!! -Bernard