i got my first scrap call

Originally Posted by hobo finds

See your work getting the cards and putting them out has paid off! A few more dolly loads and get a bike with a cart to haul your stuff, better for your body and quicker as well. One step at a time just make sure you reinvest your scrap $ into what you need not what you want!

yeah i know lol i do need a angle grinder for the freon tanks it beats a hacksaw lol. what kind of angle grinder blade will cut the best and most tanks? i dont want a something that wont cut them=)

There are a lot of posts and other social media that describe/ show how to do what you want to do. My advice: don't bother. Risk and value not worth it.

If you do, use proper PPE. Ferrous cutting thin blade works on a 4.5 grinder. An angle grinder is a wise investment. Don't buy a cheapl one, it won't last to long.

Sweet! I love cutting up old a/c's after all the old refrigerant has been reclaimed. It seems the older units have heavier copper radiators then today's units. Keep it up

Originally Posted by btkr

There are a lot of posts and other social media that describe/ show how to do what you want to do. My advice: don't bother. Risk and value not worth it.

If you do, use proper PPE. Ferrous cutting thin blade works on a 4.5 grinder. An angle grinder is a wise investment. Don't buy a cheapl one, it won't last to long.

Really? Not worth it? You must be doing it wrong.

Originally Posted by junkfreak

Really? Not worth it? You must be doing it wrong.

I am basically curb co, luck, or come get it. The one unit I cut was from a 40's fridge with unit mounting on top. It was big, heavy, and used ammonia (If I recall correctly) for refrigerant.

So... Procure, harvest sealed unit, drain, cut open, drain again, harvest copper, dispose of remnants and oil, put 1-2 lbs copper in bucket, clean up, etc. This all took about an hour or so all together. Just not worth it, in my opinion.

Situations are different, I get it. Units and quantity are different. Not saying it can't be profitable. Not for me.

As far as not doing it right, I believe my method using 4.5 grinder, was correct. Maybe just doing 1 piece as an experiment swayed my opinion. Some day I'll try another. Just did not seem like fun.

Originally Posted by btkr

There are a lot of posts and other social media that describe/ show how to do what you want to do. My advice: don't bother. Risk and value not worth it.

If you do, use proper PPE. Ferrous cutting thin blade works on a 4.5 grinder. An angle grinder is a wise investment. Don't buy a cheapl one, it won't last to long.

what price should i go for?

Originally Posted by mike1

what price should i go for?

Opinion:
HF is probably cheapest and Metabo probably the (best) most expensive. It really depends on what you can afford , which one feels good in your hands, and how much will you hammer it/take care/maintain it.

I use and abuse a Metabo daily at work. My Personal grinder is a dewalt, doing well. I've smoked a craftsman and ryobi, both pretty well used, and 5-6 yrs old.

Generally speaking, the higher the amperage, the better the unit. Some warranties are better than others. Box stores offer choices and you can hold/feel/touch them.

Whichever one you choose will be the quickest to open a sealed unit, other than a plasma cutter.

Tips: blow the dust and crap out of the grinder ports periodically with compressed air and let the cutting wheel cut. You'll use less wheels , and not a whole lot quicker, if you use moderate force when cutting. Leave the guard on and learn to deal with it. The first time you get cut by the wheel, you'll know why. PPE!!!!!

For scrapping, you need a 4.5 grinder. Time saver and very versatile.