starter problem?

I have had a problem (well sort of a problem) .. when i would start my car in the morning it will start every time but every now and then i would hear a sort of metal on metal sound instantly after the car is started. Now in the morning it does this everytime. However if i would say .. goto the store and turn off the car and come back out it will start right up perfectly. Only seems to make the sound after the car has rested for a while. Does this sound like the starter? im going to test the battery. Also my battery cable are kind of chewed up i plan on replacing those.

any other ideas?

how old is the starter? It could be the spur gear is not retracting fully after power is no longer applied to the starter. A new solenoid at the starter could resolve it.

You could verify this by removing the starter and inspecting the spur gear for signs of damage from nicking the flywheel gears.