Cleaning Up Northbridge Heat Sinks

I have a pile of heat sinks that I've been putting off cleaning. These are the kind that have metal spring clips holding them tight. Here are two examples:






The last time I removed the steel clips to get extruded price on the rest, it was a pain. I used pliers to try to pry the steel clips loose, and half the time the steel snapped. The extruded part of the heat sink is usually bent to wrap around the steel. I'm considering just selling the container as dirty AL.

Does anyone have any good techniques for cleaning these? Has anyone else found them to not be worth their time? Just curious of other's opinions.

I just sell them as dirty aluminum. I'll fuss over the CPU heatsinks, since they're larger. As for Northbridge coolers, I pull the plastic springing pins if there are any, and toss them into a box.

ya I just drop in as dirty its still money but will also say if you have the time why not make the extra cash while alu is still super high

Guess I never thought if it's actually worth my time, since it takes very little. I do what you do, use a pair of needle nose grab and pull. Seem to come out rather easy. But I

I guess it depends on what the yard buys, but with me those go for 95% extrusion around 0.50/lb at SIMS.

Originally Posted by ryanw

I guess it depends on what the yard buys, but with me those go for 95% extrusion around 0.50/lb at SIMS.

The heatsink is of very high quality extrusion and it is in the 95% range most of the time, I find it difficult however to find buyers to accept it as such. Congrats on finding a company that does

I never thought twice about it. It has always been quck and easy for me. Grab with plyers and, with a little muscle, "roll" it over the top. Ive never had issues with one yet. Set down your purse next time.

I remove the spring/clip wire with a downward twist and off motion. Then the same with other side, very seldom have a problem. I think it just takes developing a technique that can work for each person. As aluminum is the one metal that is holding steady in price and extrusion grade is one of the higher paying grades of aluminum. Why not work on what pays you the best for your time, especially when the market is so depressed now?

My modis operandi
Clamp h/sink in a vice (vise for US and Canuck members, lol) Cut one arm of the clamp, close to the heat-sink with good wire-cutter. Grab the other end of the wire with a pair of pliers, wiggle and pull and out it slides :-)

I cut the wires off flush with the heat sink and throw it in with the rest of the aluminum.

A few years ago I was trying to remove the wire and ended up with the hook embedded in my finger. I tried about 3 times to remove it and could not because of the hook at the end. 4th time I got it right.

i sell them as dirty extrusion / or "old" aluminum without removing metal part for .50-.55 per pound

At two different yards I sell to, both take those as clean aluminum. I never need to remove those wires.

Grab it up high by the hook part with a needle nose and just start curling. Stay in the same line as the crimp while you twist and they bend right out.
I never let aluminum win. Grrrrrr.....