Harvesting Brass

Those brass relief valves on hot water thanks or any other small brass valves and taps for that matter.

I smack them with a hammer, they break off that the treaded portion that is screwed into the tank, you loose the same amount of brass had you cut them off with a sawzall or grinder.

No need for cordless tools or expensive abrasive blades.

My favorite tool is an Estwing claw hammer, Use the head to remove brass valves, the claw if swung right removes screws from the backing of electric ranges, washers and dryers.

From the electric appliances I'm after the silver contacts from the rheostats and timers, plus any wiring that comes out easy.

I do not take appliances as scrap, only remove the goods I want form those discarded at the local landfills and whatever happens to be at the scrap yard I cannibalize.

Out of courtesy I leave he wire untouched from any appliances at the scrap yard.

Regards
Gustavus

Originally Posted by gustavus

Those brass relief valves on hot water thanks or any other small brass valves and taps for that matter.

I smack them with a hammer, they break off that the treaded portion that is screwed into the tank, you loose the same amount of brass had you cut them off with a sawzall or grinder.

No need for cordless tools or expensive abrasive blades.

My favorite tool is an Estwing claw hammer, Use the head to remove brass valves, the claw if swung right removes screws from the backing of electric ranges, washers and dryers.

From the electric appliances I'm after the silver contacts from the rheostats and timers, plus any wiring that comes out easy.

I do not take appliances as scrap, only remove the goods I want form those discarded at the local landfills and whatever happens to be at the scrap yard I cannibalize.

Out of courtesy I leave he wire untouched from any appliances at the scrap yard.

Regards
Gustavus

Im glad your landfill allows that. Ours doesnt allow any scavenging period.

Originally Posted by Junkernaut

SS Sinks have a TON of copper and Good amount of Brass. I can never get the brass off of a water heater without a Sawsall

Home Depot or Lowes, and buy a hand held sledge hammer. Hit is side ways 2 possibly 3 times real good, and viola. Save your saw blades for more important things.

the workers must have put it aside as they were doing their work & forgot about it.

And I'm sure that you ran after them as they were driving away to make sure they didn't forget it,,,,roflmao