Tool to remove copper plug from heat sink? - Page 2

I have done too many by hand with a hacksaw. Last night I used my new sawzall on 18 of them , what a difference. I used a general purpose blade that is totally destroyed. I will use a metal blade the next time.

Originally Posted by Jonniebrass

I have done too many by hand with a hacksaw. Last night I used my new sawzall on 18 of them , what a difference. I used a general purpose blade that is totally destroyed. I will use a metal blade the next time.

My dad worked in a machine shop. Use a coarse metal blade on aluminum. The fine blades jam up with melted aluminum when they get hot.

I use a press I bought at harbor freight, or you could use a ball joint press if you have one.
1 Ton Arbor Press & Other Arbor Presses - Harbor Freight Tools

I have found this tip works on extruded heatsinks. To remove the small steel rods that they insert into the extrusion so they can mount the heatsink on the PCB board by soldering the little steel pins to the copper tracks.

I use a cold chisle & insert the cutting face into & between the fins directly beside the embedded pin. (this'l work on the copper plug inside the CPU heatsinks too.)
I then place the extrusion on a hard surface & bash the cold chisle so it opens up the gap, this will loosen some of the pressure on the embedded pin & now you can pull it out using pliers.

is it really worth the time? I just take the .12 per pound deduction and call it dirty extruded. some yards may not advertise it but most will buy for old aluminum price or more

Not worth the time. I think I got 0.42/lb last time I turned in a batch of smaller heatsinks with the wire clips still on.

If you have a bandsaw, run the blade between the fins and it pops right out. I used the hammer method before- too much work.

The jury is still out cost wise but ive been using a flush cut saw to shear of the top of the fins(as you would shear a sheep i suppose) then the copper pops out.