Questions to ask a carbide buyer.
Six questions that separate an honest buyer from a story — with my answers. Ask them of me, and ask them of anyone else you talk to.
Ask these before you sell to anyone.
Selling carbide scrap should feel like any other fair transaction: you know the weight, you know the grade, you know the price, you get paid. These are the questions that separate an honest buyer from a story. I answer every one of them below — and I encourage you to ask them of anyone else you talk to, too.
How do you weigh my material?
On a digital scale, in front of you, before any money changes hands. If a buyer will not let you watch the weigh-in, that is your answer about the buyer. My scale reads to the fraction of a pound and you see the number before I do anything else.
How do you grade brazed versus solid carbide?
By separating them — physically, in front of you. Solid carbide (inserts, end mills, drills) is one grade; brazed tooling with steel attached is another; sludge is a third. A buyer who dumps everything in one bucket and pays one blended number is keeping the difference. Ask how your lot gets sorted before it gets weighed.
How fast do I get paid?
Immediately for local pickup — cash on the spot after the weigh-in. For shipped lots, promptly after the material arrives and is verified. Be wary of consignment deals and long payment terms on scrap: if a buyer needs 60 or 90 days to pay you for metal, they are financing their business with your money.
Do you publish your prices?
For clean carbide inserts, end mills, and drills: yes — $18 to $20 per pound, right on this site. A buyer with a real standing offer puts the number in writing. For everything else (brazed, sludge, mixed lots), the honest answer is a custom quote against the current market — because any fixed number printed for those would be wrong half the time.
What happens if my lot is mixed?
It gets sorted before it gets priced — or you get a clear explanation of how the mix is being handled. Mixed buckets are normal; what matters is that the buyer shows you the sort instead of grading the whole bucket at the lowest tier in it.
Can I get a receipt?
Always. Date, material, weight, price per pound, and total — in writing, every transaction. A buyer who will not put the deal on paper is a buyer to walk away from.
Questions, answered.
Should I watch my carbide being weighed?
Yes — always. An honest buyer weighs on a digital scale in front of you before any money changes hands. If a buyer will not let you watch the weigh-in, find another buyer.
Why do some buyers pay one price for mixed carbide?
Because the blend favors them. Solid carbide, brazed tooling, and sludge are different grades with different values. Your lot should be sorted before it is priced, not graded at the lowest tier in the bucket.
Is it normal to wait weeks to be paid for scrap?
No. Local pickup should pay cash on the spot; shipped lots should pay promptly after verification. Long payment terms mean the buyer is financing their business with your material.
Send photos, estimated weight, material type, and location for today’s price. Email [email protected] or call 312-880-8174.
Send photos for today's price.
Clear photos and an honest description are all it takes. Based in Chicago, buying nationwide — send photos, get today's offer, and we will arrange pickup or shipping.