Detroit Research Volume 1

Scott Hocking | Scrappers page 4
164
Stripped copper roof of the Lee Plaza high-rise.
Stripped copper roof of the Lee Plaza high-rise.
midnight
midnight middleman.
middleman.
Unfortunately,
Unfortunately,
acquiring
acquiring
100 pounds
100 pounds
of copper
of
wire
copper
is rare,
wire
and
is
definitely
rare, and
definitely not to be found not to in any be long found abandoned in any long buildings. abandoned Aluminum buildings. siding is far Aluminum more plentiful, siding but is it far is
more worth plentiful, roughly $0.45 but it per is pound worth and roughly weighs $0.45 considerably per pound less. and Other weighs metals such as nickel and
considerably brass are welcome, less. but Other hard metals to find, such whereas nickel inexpensive and brass and extremely are welcome, heavy but cast hard iron is to find,
whereas generally inexpensive a last resort. and extremely heavy cast iron is generally a last resort.
Country Boy
Boy
has
has
been
been
"pullin’
"pullin’
the
the
cart"
cart"
for
for
10 years
10 years
now,
now,
perfecting
perfecting
his copper
his copper
smelting
technique. On this night he has "acquired" over a hundred pounds of plastic-coated copper
smelting technique. On this night he has "acquired" over a hundred pounds of
wiring, which he ignites to burn away the plastic, reveal the high quality copper, and receive
plastic-coated more cash. The copper highly toxic wiring, black which smoke he billowing ignites to from burn the away flaming the plastic plastic, is the reveal least the of high
quality Country’s copper, worries. and When receive he is more satisfied cash. with The the highly process, toxic he extinguishes black smoke the billowing fire with water from the
flaming from a clogged plastic sewer is the nearby. least of At Country’s this time of worries. night, Country When can he is take satisfied his scrap with to a the local process,
he ‘middleman’ extinguishes who the will fire pay with him only water about from half a price. clogged Unfortunately, sewer nearby. in this At business, this time one of cannot night,
Country wait around can until take morning his scrap for to the a local higher ‘middleman’ paying (and somewhat who will pay legitimate) him only scrap about yards half to open. price.
Unfortunately, in this business, one cannot wait around until morning for the higher
Scrapping is a competitive business. For example, The Lee Plaza is an abandoned high rise with
paying (and somewhat legitimate) scrap yards to open.
a copper roof. Through a hole in a cinder block wall, scrappers have accessed an emergency
stairwell and climbed 16 flights in utter darkness, to reach the precious roof. Hauling the heavy
Scrapping metal back is down a competitive once is enough business. work for For most, example, not to mention The Lee that Plaza the Plaza is an is abandoned no where near high a
rise with a copper roof. Through a hole in a cinder block wall, scrappers have accessed
an emergency stairwell and climbed 16 flights in utter darkness, to reach the precious
roof. Hauling the heavy metal back down once is enough work for most, not to mention
that the Plaza is no where near a