I have a small collection of electric motor from appliances I've scrapped.
They're full of yummy looking copper- but like gold locked up in quartz- it's not nearly as good as it it when it's freed from the entanglements.
So I saw where someone had mentioned an angle grinder on Harbor Freight that was fairly well made- and on sale for under twenty bucks! I usually don't like things from HF, but since the reviews on this item seemed to be pretty good and some had even said it was the best bargain in the store, I thought I'd give it a shot if I could score one cheaply.
I found a good deal on the HF site-listed as on sale for $21,
http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-d...der-91223.html

and when I checked the HF flier in the Parade magazine in the Sunday paper, they had a coupon for 20% off any single item.

(The flier may also be available inside the store)
(I don't read Parade, I just filched it from the paper when I went to see someone)
While i was paying for the grinder, I gave the cashier the entire page with the coupons on it, and she asked if I wanted the free pair of gloves too!!

Suuure!
So she also threw a pair of heavy leather gloves in for free.
I already had a small, inexpensive drill press vise- not ideal, but it'll work:

(They run about $12 at HF
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-...ise-30999.html
I spent $1.89 on a cut off wheel from Home Depot since they were out of 4 1/2 inch wheels at HF.
Throw in some safety glasses for $4. and you're all set
http://www.harborfreight.com/safety-...ear-99762.html
I tried it out when I got home and was pleasantly surprised to see how easy it was to cut up the motors and extract that gorgeous copper.

So now instead of selling the motors for 25 cents a pound, I should be able to get $3.50 to $4.00 a pound for the copper.
I really think a
LOT of people are losing money by selling those motors and compressors at the tin rate and getting only 9 or 10 cents a pound.
.
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