New Scraper... first stop is my husbands junk pile for $

Well Hello... I was asked to introduce myself. I'm a busy mom of 3 kids ages 4,6,and 8 years old, full time teacher in the public school system, and wife. I'm the daughter of a retired union carpenter and craftsman. My father in law is a retired self- employed mason. Together these two men in my life have garages full of the best tools and equipment. They have worked their butts off to send their children to college.I am very proud of them. They have left us no debt. The only problem with telling your son you worked with your back so he could work with his brain is that my husband can't bang a nail straight! Every tool we own is cheap, rusty, or lost lol (why would a pencil pusher need tools?) My husband and I are lucky to have good jobs. So why am I here? Well Mommy needs some new hot boots, baby girl wants to join bimnastics (gymnastics). My boys want a tent to go camping and a new surf board. For some reason there is NEVER enough money. No matter what just as soon as you think your ok or getting ahead you get slammed with something. We are like a lot of families with a big fat mortgage, car payment, and bills...We are working poor just making ends meet. Nobody is giving me a free lunch I have to work. I am happy and just trying enjoying life and educate myself. This forum looked like a great place to get my 101 questions about metal scrapping answered.
So it started two Christmas ago... Poppop gave the boys can crushers as a gift. Boys went crazy crushing aluminum cans for fun. Poppop took them to the junk yard and $15.00 later they are hooked. Couple times doing this and now they are going through the neighbors recycling after the BBQ. lol So Poppop is busy and I got sick of the pile of aluminum cans piling up in the garage. So I piled it all in the mini van and took it to the junk yard myself.... HOLY SCRAP!! The place is jamming and people walking out of there counting piles. Hummm. Got me thinking lets get busy! The teacher in me likes the fact that we should ALL be recycling our natural resources anyway to help our earth. So I hope to teach my kids how to work for the value of a dollar, teach them about reducing, reusing and hopefully make a few bucks cleaning up and scrapping. They love working with tools, breaking stuff, and seeing how things work. Children are curious little buggers who love to learn.
Now please people I will have a ton of questions over the next few weeks as I start working on my husbands junk pile in the back yard. (It is a scrapers dream pile) ha. So please bare with me. I will try to research as much as I can here but I want to be sure I am doing things right (because I'm not in the mood to look like dumb ass at the scrapyard) ... Please comment with your advice and since I'm doing this for fun on the side I will be willing to take my time and work for the best value. Now where do I start? I have 2 microwaves, 3 vacuums, electric trolling motor, blender, large old window AC unit, old jumper cables, weedwacker, mini frig, computer and monitor, 2 tv's, old stainless steel and aluminum pots and pans...and much more :) Looking forward to hearing from you.

Welcome to the forum. First the search feature does not seem to operate with 2 or 3 leter words, ie tv. Also google with scrapmetalforum after the word you are seaching you may succeed more often.

Spend more time just reading the old threads it will help you build a basis of knowledge and answer lots of the questions you have. Take the time to dismantel a lot of stuff now, you will know learn what to spend time with in the future.

CAUTION: when dealing with items that contain refrigerant, don't release it. Again take the time to read the old threads that discuss a/c units/ refrigerators and the like. Mike

Welcome to the Forum. Poppop sounds like a pretty smart guy and you for seeing the wisdom in the lesson.

Couple of tips: The jumper cables can be stripped of the covering for the copper. The AC and the frig contain freon which is illegal to release into the air. Most yards will charge you to take them.

Welcome, and off the subject of scrap, thanks for being a teacher. It's an under-appreciated profession...

I don't think i've seen such a thorough introduction. Good luck SMO3! Might should start with a work bench somewhere to keep you up off the ground, with some screwdrivers and a cordless to start breaking those things down with

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the great intro.

Welcome to the forum. Like miked said dont just cut those copper lines on that ac unit. Call around to some local hvac companies and ask them how much they would charge you to evacuate the system. if you can get it done for around ten bucks you can still make some money. Other than that just start taking stuff apart. And most important read read read. There is so much information to be gained from this forum and its members.

You might also call a local scrapyard (or 2) and ask for some prices and that way you'll know what has the most value. Start tearing stuff down for maximum value, I throw stuff in totes and buckets, Being a teacher you have an in with the school system about hauling away all their old computers and other office stuff. Once electronics are broken down they do not take up much room. Good luck,,,

Welcome. First things you need to get are good gloves and eye protection. Trust me.

welcome aboard.

you and your family will do great

Thank you! So I shouldn't be working at my kitchen counter over my biggest wooden cutting board? ha. Got my first cut striping the copper wires out of the trolling motor. Yes must get some work gloves and eye protection! I used my woodstove glove mitt to finish that job. I would be too worried about taking school district computer tech stuff here. Not sure how things are in other states but I know that most school districts around here already have contracts with tech recycling companies. I think the district sells there old tech stuff and get a check which they are dependent on. I would have to get stuff approved by the BOE. I could see the tax payers in the town going bananas if they found out an employee was pocketing cash for stuff the school should be selling. In fact schools ask community to donate used phones, printer cartridges ect. already. On another note... So excited for the weekend. My brother in law who owns a framing construction co. has invited me to check out a beach house they are going to demo soon. whoo hoo! Pipes and stuff here I come.. Might be some good appliances too!

Start with the copper. Tear out all of the copper pipe that you can then start getting the insulated wire.

a pipe cutter might be good to have there, you might run across good ones at a flea market or even yard sale

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Originally Posted by scrapmommyof3

Thank you! So I shouldn't be working at my kitchen counter over my biggest wooden cutting board? ha. Got my first cut striping the copper wires out of the trolling motor. Yes must get some work gloves and eye protection! I used my woodstove glove mitt to finish that job. I would be too worried about taking school district computer tech stuff here. Not sure how things are in other states but I know that most school districts around here already have contracts with tech recycling companies. I think the district sells there old tech stuff and get a check which they are dependent on. I would have to get stuff approved by the BOE. I could see the tax payers in the town going bananas if they found out an employee was pocketing cash for stuff the school should be selling. In fact schools ask community to donate used phones, printer cartridges ect. already. On another note... So excited for the weekend. My brother in law who owns a framing construction co. has invited me to check out a beach house they are going to demo soon. whoo hoo! Pipes and stuff here I come.. Might be some good appliances too!

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Make a list and check it twice.

Sledge Hammer
Hammer
Buckets
Cutters
Grinder or Sawzall.
Plasma cutter if you got one
magnet

should be a good start for you.

Torch also ?? I like bolt cutters also ! And couldn't scrap appliances without my 1/4 inch 19.2 volt craftsmen impact driver. And under 150 takes no time to pay for its self

Search my posts for microwave ovens, I think I have written enough info for you to find it. Theres 4Lbs+ Copper in there if its the right ovens.

Welcome to the forum SMO3!

Please read threads about electrical dangers of scrapping tvs and computer monitors before attempting to dismantle them - if you plan to do so. There have been some very good threads on here about that subject.

Happy scrapping!