How about a small scale shredder for metal?

**aph** · 10-21-2016, 06:06 PM

I keep telling my guys to cut down, clean up non-ferrous as they go along, but nobody listens.
I have a big pile of copper lines, mostly from dishwashers and they take up a crapload of space.
I crimp and bend them into 6-8 inch pieces so much more weight fits into the buckets.
But it is tideous boring A.F. work.
So I was thinking, is there a small scale metal shredder that would shred my #2 copper lines into smaller chunks?
I would be willing to pay a few 100 bucks for it since it would save so much time in the long run.
TIA
Martin

**MattInTheHat** · 10-21-2016, 06:10 PM

I would talk to your buyer before shredding anything. it may affect the pricing or your ability to sell. shredding makes it more difficult to look for items that don't belong

**jimicrk** · 10-21-2016, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by aph

I keep telling my guys to cut down, clean up non-ferrous as they go along, but nobody listens.
I have a big pile of copper lines, mostly from dishwashers and they take up a crapload of space.
I crimp and bend them into 6-8 inch pieces so much more weight fits into the buckets.
But it is tideous boring A.F. work.
So I was thinking, is there a small scale metal shredder that would shred my #2 copper lines into smaller chunks?
I would be willing to pay a few 100 bucks for it since it would save so much time in the long run.
TIA
Martin

When you say you keep telling your guys, I'm assuming they work for you and they are not doing their job the way you told them to. If that's the case you have a few options.

1. Hey guys, I just bought a machine to cut the copper lines and I'm cutting your pay to help pay for it.

2. Hey guys, this is how I want you to do your job. If you can't do it the way I told you to, then get in you effing trucks and go home.

I would not make a good manager.

**mikeinreco** · 10-21-2016, 07:26 PM

jimicrk I like and respect you more each day!!

**EcoSafe** · 10-21-2016, 07:55 PM

you could build one just a couple of truck rear end gears and anelectric motor or buy a hard drive shredder.

**mthomasdev** · 10-21-2016, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by EcoSafe

you could build one just a couple of truck rear end gears and anelectric motor or buy a hard drive shredder.

A small Ameri-Shred HDD shredder will run you about $15000.

**ryanw** · 10-21-2016, 10:11 PM

For those pipes, I think a baler would work better.

**RustyDollars** · 10-22-2016, 08:51 AM

I think a cheaper alternative would be a bandsaw.

**jimicrk** · 10-22-2016, 10:40 AM

One of the yards I go to has something with jaws that look like a huge pair of bolt cutters operated by foot pedals. I've watched them cut 1/2" up to 2" copper pipe with it. They cut the copper into 12" pieces and then toss them into a gaylord for #1 copper. Any solder joints are cut out and put in a separate gaylord for #2 copper.

**MattInTheHat** · 10-22-2016, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by jimicrk

One of the yards I go to has something with jaws that look like a huge pair of bolt cutters operated by foot pedals. I've watched them cut 1/2" up to 2" copper pipe with it. They cut the copper into 12" pieces and then toss them into a gaylord for #1 copper. Any solder joints are cut out and put in a separate gaylord for #2 copper.

Some yards use that machine to clean dirty brass as well

**IdahoScrapper** · 10-22-2016, 08:01 PM

I would think a person could move through a pile fairly quick with this.

Throatless Shear

**Scrappah** · 10-22-2016, 08:42 PM

I took one of my old chop saws and installed a 10" metal cutting blade. It's NOT the right thing for the job but it works and it was cheap.

For copper you might be able to get away with a regular carbide tipped blade. Just be sure to wear good leather gloves, hearing protection, and a face shield -or- eye protection.

Edited to add: As for the guys not listening ? Couple of things you could do.

Pick the leader out of the bunch and make sure he gets all of the worst job assignments. Make him break up copper for a week.

The other thing would be to send someone home for the day. Just say ... you're not listening so i can't use you today. The loss of a day's pay will eventually get him to smarten up.

Don't be an ass though ... if you're pressing the guys to produce more you have to expect that the quality of their work will drop.

**aph** · 10-22-2016, 09:37 PM

Yeah I was thinking about something like that.
I cut a table saw with a grinder blade on it, but it jacks the pipes around a lot and does not feel safe. Also then you have to pick up all the pieces.
That throatless sheeer thing looks interesting as well.
Thanks for all the input

Originally Posted by jimicrk

One of the yards I go to has something with jaws that look like a huge pair of bolt cutters operated by foot pedals. I've watched them cut 1/2" up to 2" copper pipe with it. They cut the copper into 12" pieces and then toss them into a gaylord for #1 copper. Any solder joints are cut out and put in a separate gaylord for #2 copper.

**MattInTheHat** · 10-22-2016, 10:34 PM

I used to have a chop saw designed to cut metal. stronger motors or different rpms I guess. worked great on many things. especially pole-ish metal (anything resembling a pole)

**miked** · 10-23-2016, 09:37 AM

One thing I KNOW is grinding wheels and copper, brass, Al do NOT mix. Why? Grinding wheels will load up with the soft material and get hot. Hot grinding wheel loaded with soft metal equals a grinding wheel spinning at a high speed which has exploded in the past.

Now I don't know if this would or could occur using cut off wheel but I do recommend caution. 73 Mike

**gabrielservices** · 10-23-2016, 12:04 PM

Yes they do explode....... been there, done that as they say. When cutting metals with a chop saw, I have a brick handy. I watch the blade for build up, when I see it, I do a quick cut on the brick. Cleans it right up. Blades $5 bucks a piece : Bricks 25 cents each. 1 brick last with me about 2-3 weeks. But my cutting time vary week by week.

**Scrappah** · 10-23-2016, 02:15 PM

The throatless shear is looking like the best ( and safest ) choice.

I wouldn't recommend it, but i use my finish carpentry chop saw with a sixty tooth carbide blade for cutting copper and aluminum drip edge. The soft metals don't seem to bother the blade any. A carbide blade will even tolerate the occasional nail bedded in a piece of wood.

Table saws are tricky. They're okay for rip cuts but they aren't well suited for cross cuts.

**IdahoScrapper** · 10-23-2016, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Scrappah

I took one of my old chop saws and installed a 10" metal cutting blade. It's NOT the right thing for the job but it works and it was cheap.

I've done the same, ending up with copper dust everywhere. Plus who knows what "value" I'm losing. Probably not much. I may give the shear a try. Even though every use I've seen is for sheet stock, I assume it would work on tubing? Milwaukee makes a cordless cutter for MCM cable. Looks impressive. I assume it would work for tubing, but it's an expensive tool.

Although we only live once, right?! Plus I don't have a wife to answer to. I better get my tools while I can.

**jimicrk** · 10-23-2016, 05:19 PM

I think many good ideas have been presented but I don't think they address the real issue and that is Aph's guys/employees are not doing what he has told them to do.

If I have assumed wrong or if I'm off base, I apologize. I know nothing about owning or running a business and probably couldn't if I had one dropped in my lap.

I do know how people are and some will take advantage of others in a minute.

Often on big jobs there will be 3 or 4 techs and one has to be lead tech. I take lead a lot because the other guys don't want the responsibility. I assign different tasks to techs and it's up to them to get it done. If they don't then I address the problem immediately.

Aph, I think 2 dozen doughtnuts and a Monday morning meeting would be a whole lot cheaper than any new tool.

**aph** · 10-24-2016, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by jimicrk

I think many good ideas have been presented but I don't think they address the real issue and that is Aph's guys/employees are not doing what he has told them to do.

If I have assumed wrong or if I'm off base, I apologize. I know nothing about owning or running a business and probably couldn't if I had one dropped in my lap.

I do know how people are and some will take advantage of others in a minute.

Often on big jobs there will be 3 or 4 techs and one has to be lead tech. I take lead a lot because the other guys don't want the responsibility. I assign different tasks to techs and it's up to them to get it done. If they don't then I address the problem immediately.

Aph, I think 2 dozen doughtnuts and a Monday morning meeting would be a whole lot cheaper than any new tool.

You are def correct there.
I do let little things slide here and there and then it turns into a big (pile of half assed processed non-ferrous).
I am not always around and have 7 m,illion other things going on at any given time.
Addressing the problem with the employees will have to be the one big step I somehow have to figure out.
Not using that as an excuse, but it is VERY hard finding any good employee in Central Valley of California.
Regardless what job I am hiring for, LITERALLY half the people don't even show up for interviews. And that with 10% unemployment.
And then most feel friggin entitled.
Unfortunately you have to literally be happy if you find someone that is 80% ok in their performance.
Yes, it is THAT bad around here.

How about a small scale shredder for metal?

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