Thank you (in advance) for sharing your knowledge and/or experience...

Hello, I found your website on Google when trying to determine if it was advisable to remove alum fins from the copper tube in a small a/c unit, and then how to accomplish the task. The chosen link has lead me here, which promises to be a good thing. I am a widowed, 50+ year female who, until my late husband's death in Jan 2010, was responsible for our meals, laundry and the normal tasks many women assume in a marriage. If the brakes in my vehicle needed attention - he took care of it, new water heater - he installed it, I needed a bookshelf - he built it. Times have changed and I am pleased to announce my accomplishments of "Man Duties", ie: I gave my truck a complete tune up (with the exception of removing 2 spark plugs which were tougher than me), I've learned (don't laugh here) how to start a lawnmower & keep it maintained, I am in the process of repairing, replacing, and protecting the eaves and overhangs for my home. And a HUGE milestone was made when I learned how to properly use his power tools!

I have learned so much already but need to learn so much more! I keep a spreadsheet for misc $ my scrapyard is paying for specific metals in an effort to be 'a little smarter' when taking a load over. I am having a real challenge identifying the different metals at times, so the first test is done with a magnet, and then into various boxes and/or areas of what I believe to be like materials.

I will welcome any feedback or advice you may wish to offer or think I need to know. If I can offer anything I think you don't already know, I'll be glad to share!



Regards,
Harmony
FW,TX

Originally Posted by taterjuice

Welcome

Thank you

Welcome to the forum, let me know if I can be of any assistance if you have something made of metal you need advice on.

As far as your aluminum/copper fin radiators I hope you learned it is not worth the time it would take to separate the aluminum fin off the copper tube. Just cut the ends off the radiator if they are steel (jig saw or Sawzall works well for this), if the ends are made of aluminum you can leave them on and sell them for aluminum/copper radiators at your local yard. They should be priced in the $1.30-$1.40/pound range currently if they are clean.

Thank you so much! How do I identify the blade on my Sawzall is for wood or metal? And, is this ever an "overkill" tool when needing to cut materials?

Metal cutting blade will be around 10 teeth per inch (TPI) a wood blade will be around 5 TPI.

Overkill is good. LOL

Welcome to the forum Harmony. Sorry to hear of your husbands passing. Sounds like you are off to a good start.

Tips on identifying metals. If it's silver/grey, and a magnet does NOT stick, it's likely aluminum or stainless. Sometimes you can tell stainless because it's fairly heavy. But to be certain, hit it with a grinder. If it does NOT spark, it is probably aluminum. If it DOES spark, it is probably stainless.

Some stainless will stick to a magnet. Some yards pay more. Most seem to give reg steel/shred price for it.

Some brass will look like it's stainless. Hit it with a grinder, should be a yellowish color (if it's brass).

Copper wiring. Some will be tin coated so it might look like aluminum. Scrape it to verify.

Can I trade my knowledge for a home cooked meal? haha. jk. Enjoy your stay here at SMF.

Welcome to the forum. In this busness a magnet is a must, if a magnet sticks it goes in the steel. A file is also a good tool to have, if the magnet dose not stick scrape it with the file, if it's yellow it's brass, if it's brownish it's copper, if it's still silver but heavy then it's most likly stainless.

Originally Posted by KeyCityRecycling

Metal cutting blade will be around 10 teeth per inch (TPI) a wood blade will be around 5 TPI.

Overkill is good. LOL

Good to know! There are several blades with the tool, not wanting to ruin it (or the project), I didn't try until this afternoon. SUCCESS! HOORAY! Thanks, again!

Originally Posted by Mick

Sawzall blade will identify the type on it near where it goes into the Sawzall. Usually you can use a general blade for Bi-metal - and the thickness of the metal it's for will be there, too. In addition to using a magnet, using a grinder for a "spark test" is very useful. Research "spark test" on this site or "Google" it. These two tests will let you ID most of the metal you'll get. When you're ready to scrap electronics, that's a whole different ballgame.

Do you separate wire by type - Copper, aluminum, stripped and insulated? Are you cutting the cords off appliances to sell separately?

Well, you got me there, I don't understand the term 'Bi-metal', but will look it up. I must say, I enjoy breaking down unusable and/or broken electric _____ (anything) because I know a little copper lives there (my first old TV was kinda like Christmas, ya'know?) Not sure what to do with all the Motherboards yet, but I've been saving them. Thank you for "Spark test", I'll be researching it as well.

In answer to your question re: wire separating, Yes, I have Bronze, Red, Green (small amounts of misc other colors), and am acquiring enough Silver (you tell me this is alum?) to mess with. I'm saving this wire in 5 lb bundles because the $ has dropped a bit. With the time invested collecting it, I'm hoping to see a better price at some point.

Again, thank you for the valuable input.

Originally Posted by miked

Welcome to the forum. The old threads contain the information equal to a good college education that will generate an income. Read all the "sticky" threads then read as many of the old threads as you can. You may not fully understand whats being discussed in some of the threads but when you run into it in the real world you will profit from the knowledge. Mick and the rest have given you good advice. Mike.

At this point in my life, scrapping is paying a large portion of the bills. I've had to learn a lot, and I've had to learn it fast! Already this site has been quite helpful with tips to get my new-found interest 'under control'. I am quite moved by the outpouring of help being offered to me! 8-)

Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

Welcome to the forum Harmony. Sorry to hear of your husbands passing. Sounds like you are off to a good start.

Tips on identifying metals. If it's silver/grey, and a magnet does NOT stick, it's likely aluminum or stainless. Sometimes you can tell stainless because it's fairly heavy. But to be certain, hit it with a grinder. If it does NOT spark, it is probably aluminum. If it DOES spark, it is probably stainless.

Some stainless will stick to a magnet. Some yards pay more. Most seem to give reg steel/shred price for it.

Some brass will look like it's stainless. Hit it with a grinder, should be a yellowish color (if it's brass).

Copper wiring. Some will be tin coated so it might look like aluminum. Scrape it to verify.

Can I trade my knowledge for a home cooked meal? haha. jk. Enjoy your stay here at SMF.

As it happens, I will be stripping all the silver wire stuff, thanks for the 'tin coated' alert, I would not have known to test it!

The guys who supervised my tune up asked for the same thing, it was my sincere pleasure to bring Chicken & Dumplings, and a big pot of Jambalaya! It was a great day for everyone! Thanks, again!

Originally Posted by Ewasted

Welcome to the forum... oddly enough we all stumbled upon this goldmine!

Thank you! I am sooooo loving this!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by PartTimeScrapper

welcome abaord. Sawsall blade for wood the teeth will be bigger. Metal teeth are smaller.

Thank you! You see, I have more than just metal... I'm thinking I'll be able to start whittlin' down a few larger limbs in the yard that need to get hauled off! I have listened to my late husband and his friends over the years, my fear is I know just enough to get into trouble! LOL Not comfortable enough yet to "be fearless", but much of what I'm learning actually makes sense! (who knew???)