If you’ve ever driven down US-10 in Lake County, you’ve probably seen the stacks of steel and the hum of activity at the edge of the woods. That’s the Chase division of Fair Salvage Company. Honestly, most people just see a pile of junk. But if you’re a contractor with a trailer full of copper or a farmer trying to clear out a rusted-out harvester, that "junk" is basically a secondary bank account.
Recycling metal isn't just about being green. It’s about the hustle.
The fair salvage in chase michigan location at 8702 E. US 10 isn't just a random scrapyard. It’s one of three hubs operated by the Fair family—the others being in Clare and Sheridan (the Montcalm division). They’ve been doing this for over 30 years. You don't last that long in the scrap game if you're shady. People in small towns talk. If the scales were off or the pricing was bottom-of-the-barrel, the word would spread faster than a grass fire.
Why the Chase Yard is Actually a Big Deal
Chase is a tiny spot on the map, but it sits right in a sweet spot for logistics. It serves the surrounding areas of Reed City, Baldwin, and Big Rapids. Instead of hauling a heavy load of sheet iron or car bodies forty miles, locals can drop them right here.
Most folks walk in thinking they'll get a few bucks for a bag of cans. They're usually surprised. While they do take aluminum cans, the real money is in the "non-ferrous" stuff.
Think copper. Brass. Aluminum siding.
Jon Fair, who runs the show, is pretty vocal about how people lose money. He often points out that the biggest mistake is "mixing the load." If you have a bucket of clean copper wire but you throw in some brass fittings and a few steel bolts, the yard has to buy it at the lowest common denominator price. Basically, you're getting paid for steel when you should be getting paid for copper. It’s a rookie mistake that costs people hundreds of dollars a year.
The Breakdown: What They Actually Buy
It’s a long list. Sorta impressive, actually.
- Ferrous Metals: This is the stuff a magnet sticks to. Think old appliances (washers, dryers, stoves), sheet iron, and structural steel.
- Non-Ferrous: This is the gold mine. Copper wire (all grades), radiators, brass shells, and aluminum wheels.
- Vehicles: They buy car bodies, but you’ve gotta have the title. No title, no deal.
- E-Scrap: This is a newer side of the business. They take PC towers, laptops, and even cell phones.
- Specialty Items: Catalytic converters, batteries, and electric motors.
One weird thing people always ask about? Propane tanks.
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You can't just toss a propane tank on the scale. It’s a safety nightmare. The valves have to be completely removed, and the tank has to be empty. If you bring a sealed tank, they won't touch it. It’s an explosion risk in the shredder, and nobody wants that on their conscience—or their insurance policy.
The Secret to Getting the Best Price
The market for scrap changes every single day. It’s like the stock market but with more rust. Pricing is dictated by global demand. If China is building a new skyscraper city, your copper price goes up. If the global economy slows down, the price for sheet iron might dip.
To get the most out of fair salvage in chase michigan, you have to be smart about your timing.
- Watch the trends. Don't just show up because you're bored. If you have the space to store your scrap, wait for a price spike.
- Clean your metal. "Clean" copper means no solder, no paint, and no insulation. It pays significantly more than "dirty" copper.
- Use a magnet. If the magnet doesn't stick, put it in a separate pile. That’s your high-value stuff.
- Strip your wire. It's tedious. It's boring. But stripped "bare bright" copper wire is the highest-paying item in most yards.
Beyond the Scale: Industrial Services
It isn't just about guys with pickup trucks. The Chase yard handles some pretty heavy-duty industrial work too. If you're running a manufacturing plant in Reed City or a construction site in Baldwin, they offer container services.
They’ll drop a roll-off container at your site. You fill it with your industrial waste—turnings, busheling, or structural scrap—and they swap it out when it’s full. It keeps the job site clean and keeps the cash flowing back into the business. They even do industrial demolitions. If you've got an old factory wing or a massive piece of farm machinery that won't move, they have the equipment to come out and deal with it.
How to Not Get Replaced by a "No"
Nothing is more annoying than loading up a trailer, driving to Chase, and being told "we don't take that."
Beyond the propane tank rule, there are a few other hard "nos." They don't take household garbage. Obviously. They also won't take anything containing asbestos, mercury, or radioactive materials. Old tube TVs (the heavy ones) are usually a no-go for many recyclers these days because of the leaded glass, so always call ahead if you're clearing out a basement.
The yard is open Monday through Friday, with half-days on Saturday.
Don't show up at 11:55 AM on a Saturday expecting to unload a complex, multi-metal trailer. The crew needs time to grade the materials and weigh them. Being the person who holds up the line right at closing is a great way to make enemies in a small town.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Scrap
If you’re sitting on a pile of metal in Lake County, don't just let it rot into the soil. Here is how you actually handle a trip to Fair Salvage:
- Step 1: The Magnet Test. Grab a basic fridge magnet. Go through your pile. If it sticks, it’s steel/iron. If it doesn't, it’s likely aluminum, copper, or brass.
- Step 2: The Sort. Get some 5-gallon buckets. Label them. Put your brass in one, your clean copper in another, and your "dirty" (insulated) wire in a third.
- Step 3: Check the Title. If you're scrapping a car, find the paperwork now. You'll need to sign it over to them for the transaction to be legal.
- Step 4: Check the Prices. Give the Chase division a call at (231) 832-2955. Ask what the current rate is for your highest-volume item.
- Step 5: Load Strategically. Put the heavy steel on the bottom and your buckets of high-value non-ferrous stuff on top or in the cab. You want the staff to see that you're organized. It makes the grading process go way smoother.
Making money with fair salvage in chase michigan is basically a science of organization. The more work you do before you hit the scale, the more they pay you for that work. It’s honest labor, and in a place like Chase, that’s exactly how things get done.