What's a fair price for brass valve bodies compared to clean brass rod?
Short answer: Valve bodies typically price below clean brass rod because they're castings rather than the same higher-value wrought/machined stock, often have steel handles, stems, or fittings attached, and can contain internal components like springs or seats that aren't brass at all — expect a noticeable discount versus rod or bar stock of the same base alloy.
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List Free →Casting versus rod stock again
Similar to the cast-versus-wrought distinction in other metals, valve bodies are cast brass, which is a different — often more leaded, more castable — alloy mix than the brass used for rod and bar stock, and typically has a lower base value.
What else gets deducted
Steel handles, stems, and mounting hardware are common on valves and have to be stripped or accounted for as contamination. Internal components — springs, rubber seals, sometimes even small amounts of other metals in the valve mechanism — add further deductions if left in place.
What improves the price
Removing obvious steel handles and stems before selling, and doing a rough visual check that you haven’t left rubber seals or other internal parts inside, moves valve bodies closer to a clean cast-brass rate rather than a “mixed hardware” discount.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Listing valve bodies as “cast brass, hardware removed” versus “as-is with fittings” on ScrapTrade lets buyers price the actual condition rather than defaulting to the most conservative assumption.
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