Current #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) Scrap Prices in Hobart
Current #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) prices at scrap yards in Hobart, Indiana. Compare local offers against the U.S. national average to get the most money for your scrap.
Average #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) Price
The min/max range reflects a blended index (local + national data). Your local high may be lower.
- Low (up to $0.07): Floor price, typically for small loads.
- Mid ($0.10): A fair deal for standard quantities.
- High ($0.15+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
Pricing verified from 1 live board rates today.
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS) price reference for Hobart, Indiana
Scrap yards in Hobart, Indiana don’t always update their prices in real time. To give you a reliable current value, we use the U.S. national average ($0.10/lb). The secondary metals market tracks exchange moves consistently across the country. Use this national figure as your benchmark when negotiating with local yards. #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) prices across the U.S. →
Top Scrap Yards Buying #1 Prepared Steel in Hobart, IN
These are scrap yards in Hobart, Indiana that recently updated #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) prices in our database. Call them to lock in a quote. If your city isn't listed, use the National Index above as a bargaining reference with your nearest buyer.
Merrillville Metal Recycling
Don’t see your scrap yard in Hobart, Indiana? List it for free.
Hundreds of sellers in your area search for current scrap prices every day. Post your buy prices and start getting calls.
🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶Compare #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) Prices vs. Other Ferrous Grades
The #1 rule at scrap yards: if you mix grades, they’ll weigh everything at the lowest rate. See the price gap below — if you have higher-value metal, always sort and weigh each grade separately to avoid leaving money on the table.
Historical Price Trends for #1 Prepared Steel (HMS)
This chart shows where the market is headed. If the line is climbing, prices are rising — you might get a better deal in a few days. If it’s dropping, don’t wait: sell today before yards lower their buy prices further.
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS): Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (CME)
Avg scrap yard price
World market price (CME)
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS): Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History
| Period | World price (per lb) | Scrap yard price (per lb) | Spread vs. exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 (current) | $0.174571 | $0.11 | -$0.06 (34.5%) |
| February 2026 | $0.169679 | $0.11 | -$0.06 (33.5%) |
| January 2026 | $0.169184 | $0.11 | -$0.06 (34.8%) |
| December 2025 | $0.165335 | $0.11 | -$0.06 (33.5%) |
| November 2025 | $0.162647 | $0.11 | -$0.05 (32.4%) |
| October 2025 | $0.158761 | $0.11 | -$0.05 (30.7%) |
| September 2025 | $0.15567 | $0.10 | -$0.05 (34.5%) |
| August 2025 | $0.158816 | $0.11 | -$0.05 (31.8%) |
| July 2025 | $0.159239 | $0.11 | -$0.05 (31.1%) |
| June 2025 | $0.155033 | $0.10 | -$0.05 (34.6%) |
| May 2025 | $0.157923 | $0.11 | -$0.05 (32.8%) |
| April 2025 | $0.161157 | $0.11 | -$0.05 (32.4%) |
| March 2025 | $0.169235 | $0.11 | -$0.06 (34%) |
| February 2025 | $0.166 | $0.12 | -$0.05 (29.2%) |
| January 2025 | $0.1664 | $0.12 | -$0.05 (27.9%) |
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS) Scrap Price History — Daily Data
A day-by-day market snapshot in exact numbers. Every day we aggregate buy prices from local scrap yards, recording the average, low, and high. Use this table to track real price movement over recent days.
| Date | Avg price (per lb) | Change | Range (Low/High) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/17/2026 | $0.12 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.12 - $0.12 |
| 2/7/2025 | $0.14 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.14 - $0.14 |
The Heavy Hitter: Cashing In on #1 Prepared Steel (HMS)
If you are hauling structural beams, heavy pipe, or thick machinery plates, #1 Prepared Steel (Heavy Melting Steel, or HMS) is your money maker in the ferrous category. Our data shows current national prices swinging between $0.07 on the low end and $0.15 for clean, properly cut loads, with an average payout of $0.10 per pound. Ferrous scrap pricing relies heavily on the CME, typically hovering around 33.2% below spot prices. Buyers in Hobart need this material ready to melt, meaning the cleaner and better prepped your load is, the closer you get to top-tier pricing.
Don't Get Docked at the Scale: Sizing & Sorting
The difference between getting paid for #1 Prepared and taking a massive hit on your ticket comes down to your torch and your tape measure. Mixed loads are a peddler's worst enemy. If you try to bulk up your heavy iron by throwing in thin sheet metal or Wire Fence, the scale master will downgrade your entire flatbed. That lazy mistake can cost you around $0.06 per pound instantly across the whole load. Keep your shred and light iron far away from your premium HMS.
Yard Pro Tip: The golden rule for #1 Prepared Steel is the '1/4-inch rule.' If the steel isn't consistently thicker than a standard pencil (about 1/4 inch), it belongs in your #2 pile. Yard inspectors will spot thinner gauge material hidden in a load of heavy beams and will immediately downgrade the entire drop. Save your cutting time and torch gas strictly for the thick plates and structural steel.
Compare the Iron Grades
Not all heavy steel is graded the same. Knowing the difference between your heavy melts and your cast materials will help you separate your bins and maximize your payout.
| Grade | What It Is | National Range |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) | 1/4-inch thick or more, cut to size (usually under 5x2 feet). | $0.07 - $0.15/lb |
| #2 Prepared Steel | Thinner gauge steel (under 1/4 inch) but still free of non-metallics. | $0.10 to $0.13/lb |
| Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) | Clean cast iron brake rotors and drums, stripped of pads/bearings. | $0.11 to $0.16/lb |
| Cast Iron (Heavy) | Engine blocks, old radiators, thick cast pipes. | $0.09 to $0.20/lb |
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does '#1 Prepared' mean?
It means the heavy melting steel (HMS) is cut to the specific dimensions required by the yard's furnace or foundry buyer—usually under 5 feet long and 2 feet wide. It also must be at least 1/4 inch thick and free of excessive rust, dirt, or galvanized coatings.
Why do prices for HMS vary so much between yards?
Local demand and freight costs are huge factors. A yard in Hobart might pay closer to the $0.10 national average or slightly more depending on how close they are to a domestic steel mill or export port. Broader pricing follows the CME market trends, generally sitting 33.2% below the spot price.
Is it worth cutting unprepared steel myself?
Usually, yes. If you have the right tools—like a plasma cutter, oxy-acetylene torch, or heavy shear—the price bump from 'Unprepared' to '#1 Prepared' easily covers your labor and gas, provided the starting material meets that critical 1/4-inch thickness requirement.
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS) scrap prices in Hobart, Indiana on the map
You're viewing #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) scrap prices in Hobart, Indiana. Below are other states: click a link to see #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) prices elsewhere.