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Any ideas how to remove plastic

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  1. #1
    BigJon started this thread.
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    Any ideas how to remove plastic

    Got this big hunk of brass that came off the back of a meter that was replaced on a house. Tried twisting the plastic off and hammering but can't get it. Any ideas on how to?






  2. #2
    pjost's Avatar
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    Reciprocating saw or angle grinder.
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    or if your cheap like me a hacksaw
    There ain't nothing wrong with an honest days work. Anyone who says otherwise is a fool.- Old Man

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  6. #4
    BigJon started this thread.
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    Any ideas how to remove plastic

    Hacksaw it is! Lol. Wish I was around my grinder right now though. That plastic on the brass is tough. Smacked it a bunch with the hammer and it barely put dent in it

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    Dremel with a cutting tip?

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    What about strategic hits with a chisel?
    METAL IS MY MISTRESS...PLEASE DON'T TELL MY WIFE!

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    Hacksaw/sawzall and a pair of pliers visegrips or channel locks

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    BigJon started this thread.
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    Quote Originally Posted by AdmiralAluminum View Post
    What about strategic hits with a chisel?
    Tried that but it chipped the end of my chisel lol

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  13. #9
    BigJon started this thread.
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    Quote Originally Posted by logansryche View Post
    Dremel with a cutting tip?
    That's plan b

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    Any ideas how to remove plastic

    Sledge hammer. Break the cast brass. Possibly heat up the brass with a torch without melting the plastic.

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    spinroch's Avatar
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    I understand that it is not legal in all states to scrap a brass water meter without proof of ownership. Check your state's rules.
    F1 Recycles

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    I know this wasn't your question but sell it as dirty brass, its such a small piece its not worth all that hassle to pull the plastic off... But if you still want to put it in a vice and run a sawzall down the side and you should be able to skim it right off

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    BigJon started this thread.
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    Quote Originally Posted by scrappinlife View Post
    Sledge hammer. Break the cast brass. Possibly heat up the brass with a torch without melting the plastic.
    Sledge hammer actually just crossed my mind a little before I read this lol

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    Quote Originally Posted by spinroch View Post
    I understand that it is not legal in all states to scrap a brass water meter without proof of ownership. Check your state's rules.
    Already planned on it! I still have about 15# of bright copper wire I've been stuck with cause of yard not taking it so it crossed my mind with this too. I had permission from the owner to take it but will probably check with the yard about it tomorrow to be safe

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    BDAScrapper's Avatar
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    I always look at cost of tools used, electricity, saw blades, grinder wheels etc as a gauge when breaking down scrap, of course everything here in Bermuda is more expensive, so if I have to burn up a $2 cutoff wheel, to only add a buck or two I don't worry with it. Another reason why we put solar power in, charge my bats for free .mso,if it was me, I'd rest it next to my chiminea the next time the boys and I are smoking, see if the heat softens the plastic to the point it will pull apart. Zero cost
    If it's not bolted down it's mine, if it's bolted down and I can pry it up.....it's still mine....

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  21. #16
    BigJon started this thread.
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    Quote Originally Posted by DevinThaScrapper View Post
    I know this wasn't your question but sell it as dirty brass, its such a small piece its not worth all that hassle to pull the plastic off... But if you still want to put it in a vice and run a sawzall down the side and you should be able to skim it right off
    I was gonna throw it in dirty brass but the challenge of taking the plastic off became an obsession and I've been determined to get it off there since lol

  22. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by BDAScrapper View Post
    I always look at cost of tools used, electricity, saw blades, grinder wheels etc as a gauge when breaking down scrap, of course everything here in Bermuda is more expensive, so if I have to burn up a $2 cutoff wheel, to only add a buck or two I don't worry with it. Another reason why we put solar power in, charge my bats for free .mso,if it was me, I'd rest it next to my chiminea the next time the boys and I are smoking, see if the heat softens the plastic to the point it will pull apart. Zero cost
    True! I'm only using hacksaw and sledge hammer so cost is minimal so far..Other than the chipped chisel lol

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    Any ideas how to remove plastic

    band saw. set width on 2 fences and use push stick.
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  24. #19
    BigJon started this thread.
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    Any ideas how to remove plastic

    Hacksaw did the trick..Only took a couple minutes. Now just hoping the yard takes it. It's too nice of a piece of brass to go to waste!

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    BURN IT!!!



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