Breaking down... how far to go?

[Iron Butterfly]

I finally have my workshop set up (lighting issues taken care of), and now I have a vital question. When breaking down washer/dryers, how far do I break them down? Do I just remove the motor, or do I go further? There's a definite pay to work ratio here, and I want to make sure I'm doing the right amount of work to get the right amount of pay.

[hobo finds]

Cut the cord, remove the motor and any other wires. Some times they have alum on top by the switches/controlls but other than rest is steel...

[parrothead]

Completely break one down and save the shell as a storage bin if needed.
repeat as necessary.

Or, see how much time it takes from start to finish vs. the materials that come out. Remember though that your first tear down will probably take twice as long as your 3rd or 4th tear down. The more you do the same type of item, the more efficiant you get.

[IA_Scrapper]

How much can you expect to make by tears down a washer or drier?

[matt018]

I would say you can make about 10-20 depending on how good you are, whereas you would only make say 5 dollars whole. I would just go until I have spent an hour, If I cant break it down in an hour or less its not worth my time. Just cut the back off it, get the motor, and copper pipes and wiring. If its solid strip it and if its braid throw it in junk wire. and the shell is sheet metal.

[tjlock]

I did see on a post here that in the dryers, the drum could be stainless steel. So make sure to check that before you drop it off for the cheaper prices.

[newattitude]

I had trouble removing the second part of the motor housing - the part between the plastic drum and the motor that was made of cast. I ended up turning it in like that without getting it apart . Stupid thing I couldn't figure out how to remove the agitator.

[Dumpster-Dee]

I am totally disillusioned and disappointed !! Here I am picturing you using that air chisel like a mini jack hammer going around tearing down everything and anything in chaplinesque-time and now I find that you are bested by a WASHING MACHINE ????
SAY IT A'INT SO, ATTIUDE !!!!! LOL

[directrecycle]

check your local used appliance store. We save all our respectful looking appliances and about once a month they come to our shop with a box truck and pay 20-25 dollars ea for them. They in return repair and sell for 100-200 ea. Everybody wins

[gustavus]

Those washing machines you find with a pancake motor aka smart drive are popular with the alternative power crowd for making wind generators.

Sell them on ebay. Here's what they look like.

This site has more information on how to build a wind generator from one of these motors.

http://hackedgadgets.com/2008/12/05/...ind-generator/

[drozenski]

I had trouble removing the second part of the motor housing - the part between the plastic drum and the motor that was made of cast. I ended up turning it in like that without getting it apart . Stupid thing I couldn't figure out how to remove the agitator.

I follow this process when trying to get thing out. I also have issues with the motors.

1: will it come out with regular tools? ( no)
2: Hit it with a regular hammer, work? ( no )
3: Get a bigger hammer, work ( no )
4: Hit with 15 pound sledge, work ( no )
5: is precision cutting needed? beak out dermal, work ( no )
6: Break out saws all ( Always works ) - Blades are expensive