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washers and dryers

| Dismantling, Breaking Down & Maximizing Scrap
  1. #1
    GeorgeB started this thread.
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    washers and dryers

    Okay, I will be ticked but happy as he** at the same time for the answer to this question.

    My mentor and ex partner who got me started doing scrap taught me a lot, and I do mean a lot! especially how to maximize space in trucks and trailers.

    However, since I have been a member here (less than 1 week), I have learned to dismantle tv's, lawn mowers, and a few other things that I never even thought about doing before.

    So my question is, is there anything inside washers and dryers worth taking the time to scrap out?

    I know there is wires and motors in them, but what else?



    Thanks for any information.


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    It's all in the archives. All of it.

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    I always dismantle washers and dryers, it doesn't take long and there is wiring, motors - which are usually cast in the washers that I have found anyways, and either aluminum or copper wire in the dryer motors but so far mine have been aluminum in the dryers.

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    Quote Originally Posted by newattitude View Post
    I always dismantle washers and dryers, it doesn't take long and there is wiring, motors - which are usually cast in the washers that I have found anyways, and either aluminum or copper wire in the dryer motors but so far mine have been aluminum in the dryers.
    Don't forget to smash the blower housing for loose change.

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    Some people use the drums to throw small metal into. Keeps stuff contained that way,,

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  8. #6
    GeorgeB started this thread.
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    Quote Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper View Post
    Don't forget to smash the blower housing for loose change.
    What exactly is the blower housing?
    George Beale - Founder & President - info@viprecyclingjunkremoval.com
    VIP Recycling Junk Removal LLC - Premier Scrap Metal, Junk, & Electronic Recyclers!
    http://www.viprecyclingjunkremoval.com

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    It's connected to the motor. Rather than hunt for all the screws that hold it, a hammer quickly remedies that.

    I often find coins, jewelry, pens, etc. Look over every inch of the dryer base for coins, etc before tossing it off to the yard.

    Last edited by IdahoScrapper; 09-10-2011 at 02:21 AM.

  10. #8
    GeorgeB started this thread.
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    Quote Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper View Post
    It's connected to the motor. Rather than hunt for all the screws that hold it, a hammer quickly remedies that.

    I often find coins, jewelry, pens, etc. Look over every inch of the dryer base for coins, etc before tossing it off to the yard.

    Will keep that in mind. Thanks for the picture.

  11. #9
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    blower housing is the thing in the bottom left?

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    Correct. Knock that all around, check the tube coming off it also, but usually if it has anything it's in the bottom of the housing under the blower wheel, or loose on the dryer floor/base.

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    I've found some change, when it comes to the dryer it's a crap shoot all have wire & motors,( newer ones have copper coated wire motors) which is less desirable i've seen SS drums but not to often .
    To the key is, the motors and wire , save them don't cash in so fast , when a rainy day comes or if you need a little R&R you will have the ability to make money with luck the market will be up a bit .
    Last edited by Copper Head; 09-13-2011 at 07:58 AM.

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    GeorgeB started this thread.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Copper Head View Post
    I've found some change, when it comes to the dryer it's a crap shoot all have wire & motors,( newer ones have copper coated wire motors) which is less desirable i've seen SS drums but not to often .
    To the key is, the motors and wire , save them don't cash in so fast , when a rainy day comes or if you need a little R&R you will have the ability to make money with luck the market will be up a bit .
    Yeah, I see people all the time taking in like 2 or 3 little lbs of copper, wire, aluminum, etc. I don't do that. I will break it down at my in laws house (since we live in a town house), and then throw it into the back of my truck. Then I take it home, and put it in containers in my shed that is pad locked. I wait till I have 50 to 100+ lbs and sometimes more before I cash in. Only worth it doing it like that.

    Right now, the price of copper, if you have 100+lbs your looking at an easy $350+ for it all.

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    GeorgeB started this thread.
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    Okay I have a question. I was dismantling a dryer yesterday and I got all the way to the bottom to the motor. However, for the life of me, I fought tooth and nail to get it.

    What is yall's easiest way of getting the motor out of a dryer?

    I am seriously thinking of taking my sawzall to it all. I got the end inside the dryer broken off, but then there is the piece that is connected to the blower wheel, but I am thinking of just taking a sledge hammer to it.

    Now these might or might not be the answers you all give me, but wanted to see too.

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    do it. once its disconnected and its only being held in by the squirrel cage fans attached to the drive shaft, i use my 8lb sledge. if you it it right from the proper angle, and theres no more bolts holding it in place, it will pop right out with a few good whacks. you already have the answer, so dont be afraid of that hammer. its been the easiest solution for me so far

  17. #15
    GeorgeB started this thread.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Filthy View Post
    do it. once its disconnected and its only being held in by the squirrel cage fans attached to the drive shaft, i use my 8lb sledge. if you it it right from the proper angle, and theres no more bolts holding it in place, it will pop right out with a few good whacks. you already have the answer, so dont be afraid of that hammer. its been the easiest solution for me so far
    I'm not afraid of it, and that is how I got it out. Just didn't know if there was a more easier way is all.

    As I was sitting there figure out what the heck the issue was, I remember that all the youtube.com videos only showed a washing machine being dismantled. Even doing a search this morning revealed nothing for dryers.

    Not when I go back to my trailer, I get to tear off all the nice little copper pieces.

  18. #16
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    fan blade that is attached the the motor is REVERSE threaded. with a pair of good 12" channel locks you can turn the fan blade from the INSIDE of the dryer and use a pair of vice grips to hold the shaft from moving.

  19. #17
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    Most fans are plastic, one whack, don't forget the half circle clips at front and back of motor

  20. #18
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    Most motors on washers, dryers and dishwashers are aluminum wire. Apparently there is an increased risk of fire with copper wire, especially with them being out in the open, so to speak.

    My yard pays aluminum breakage, and it isn't much more than shred, so I typically don't pull these anymore.
    Garbage keyboards > spɹɐoqʎǝʞ ʎɐqǝ

  21. #19
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    There are plenty still with copper, especially older units. I'd a figured copper coated wire was less money so that's why they switched .Copper wire is the most thermal stable . I save all motors , It's my rainy day work.It's about price per pound. A bucket of aluminum @ .50 per lb stills add up. The short you build up adds fast.
    The lazy way to Handel the aluminum motor
    1) brake the aluminum motor cage housing which is aluminum
    2) take the spindle put it in your short bucket
    3) take the aluminum and short steal housing and with a hack saw cut aluminum flush with short steal flat area .Do it on both sides
    By days end you will have a nice amount of short and a bucket of aluminum, not to mention washers / driers have plenty of wire for your other bucket
    You will also once in a wile still get the gift of real copper in some motors. It's annoying work, but if you just do it - it's real money.
    Last edited by Copper Head; 10-01-2011 at 07:29 AM.

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    To get the motor out, I use the tractor forks. Position the forks above the motor, let the forks free fall about five feet, motor mount is torn loose.
    People may laugh at me, but that's ok. I laugh all the way to the bank.


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