Anyone pay for microwaves?

Got offered 5 pallets of microwaves at .07 per pound. Not sure if that is that great of a deal, what do you guys think? All cords will be attached. The problem I am having is that they are all different sizes. I tore one down and weighed it and would come out good on it, then tore another one down with more plastic and was going to make very little. Wondering thoughts from you guys that do a lot of microwaves.

Not knowing the details of the transaction; "5 pallets of microwaves" Be sure you are not paying for the weight of the pallet itself. A pallet can weigh 30 to 50 #s times 5 can cut into your profits big time.

If you dont mind doing a little break down I would cut the cord off and at least take out the transformer. The transformers in microwaves are pretty large and not too hard to get the copper wire out of. The rest of the microwave I would sell as tin @ $130/ton (today's price).

I'd call your scrap yard first and see if they take microwaves. I tried to take one to mine some time ago, and they wouldn't take it because it supposedly contained "radioactive material". I researched it and found out that it was a total misconception. However, I'm sure you could break it down and scrap the innards without including the steel or plastic shell that surrounds it all.

Originally Posted by Bamcis

I'd call your scrap yard first and see if they take microwaves. I tried to take one to mine some time ago, and they wouldn't take it because it supposedly contained "radioactive material". I researched it and found out that it was a total misconception. However, I'm sure you could break it down and scrap the innards without including the steel or plastic shell that surrounds it all.

Thanks for that, I had the same thing happen to me and some fellow scrapers at home didn't believe me. I have 3 yards close by and the other 2 would accept them. Try to cover all bases before diving into anything. I think I will break everything completely down to maximize.

Originally Posted by johnuppy

Thanks for that, I had the same thing happen to me and some fellow scrapers at home didn't believe me. I have 3 yards close by and the other 2 would accept them. Try to cover all bases before diving into anything. I think I will break everything completely down to maximize.

Wait! you do need to be carefully with the magnetron, it could case serious health problems. Watch this video first:


Also make sure that the capacitor doesnt still have a charge. It could zap you pretty good and some say it could even kill you.

Other than that there is nothing to worry about.

Originally Posted by mrsamsonite

Wait! you do need to be carefully with the magnetron, it could case serious health problems. Watch this video first:


Also make sure that the capacitor doesnt still have a charge. It could zap you pretty good and some say it could even kill you.

Other than that there is nothing to worry about.

too bad i can't watch videos
even a guy at my little country yard mentioned the microwave shell in my load the other day, but the guy with him pointed out it had been stripped to bare metal

I wouldn't pay for microwaves because of the amount of glass and plastics. I have to show the capacitor is removed for my steel yard to take them. The wiring, motors and transformer add some value but not enough in my opinion to pay for them.

After reading many of the threads, I feel lucky that my yard takes a lot of metals that contain plastic/glass contamination. My yard takes microwaves no problem.

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

I wonder why that is?? There is nothing dangerous in them.

I read somewhere(here) there's something inside those you need to be careful about breathing?

Not all nukes are rich in copper. The last older Sharp Carousel I stripped down was really a disappointment. The only copper I recovered came from the magnetron core, power cord, cooling fan and a small amount from the carousel motor and misc wire. The transformer was solid aluminum wire. :P

Originally Posted by Abuilder

Not all nukes are rich in copper. The last older Sharp Carousel I stripped down was really a disappointment. The only copper I recovered came from the magnetron core, power cord, cooling fan and a small amount from the carousel motor and misc wire. The transformer was solid aluminum wire. :P

Agreed that alu wire is so disappointing.

Capacitors have oil in them maybe that's why the yards don't want them. I have broke down many microwaves in the past 5 years and have never been shocked by the capacitor. My yard will take them with the plastic and glass. They take cars with plastic and glass and even pay more for them so why would they not take a microwave? Always check the copper windings in the transformers some have half copper and half aluminum.I would never pay for microwaves, to many free ones out there.

Also some have PCBs in them.