Trying to figure it all out need opinions

Hey all I am a full time car mechanic looking to make a little on the side and have been reading alot of threads wondering if I am starting on the right foot or wasting my time. I have been loading up on all the auto scraps at the shop stacking rotors and heavy metals and removing plastic and clips from items such as radiators and condenser units. I have torn apart a couple transmission cases to separate the aluminum and other metals. I have been picking up driers and any other appliances people have been throwing out and discharging freon( certified) and removing motors and all wiring. I noticed drier motors seem to be a aluminum that's coated? Not sure if wasting my time with those? I am stripping all the wires I have noticing that most are copper but I have been getting some that look aluminum? In stereo system wiring. I am going to be stripping tires off steel wheels and aluminum wheels that I have piled up have about 50 to to dismount. If I could get some advise to if im on the right track or not let me know I would like yo get into more as a hobby when not working 6 days a week. Thanks guys! Mac

SEEMS Good to me!!

Welcome to the Forum, Mac. Are you anywhere near me (Palermo - next to South China on Rte 3)? I'd be glad to meet with you and we might work to each others' benefit.

Welcome to the forum. You seem to off to a good start. You may help us if you know of good core buyers etc. There are lots of old threads you will greatly benefit from reading.

On motors I first check to see if the wire is copper or Al coated with copper.

On the stranded wire that looks like it might be Al, cut it or scrape the side and look for copper color. Most times its tinned copper wire. The manufacture tins the wire to make it easier to solder. Also with experience you know by feel most times if it is copper or Al.

There are computer boards in some cars that can be recycled for more than shred. Do some more reading in the electronics area. Mike

Are you a self employed mechanic, or working in a shop? If you're in a shop, I'd recommend taking the loot home to clean it up ;) I once made the mistake of pulling some wire, or something(can't remember now exactly what it was) from a large trash pile, before asking the boss if I could have it. He saw the nice clean little stack there and said, "uhmm, i think we'll just keep that stuff". Dayum!, but what could i say, but to blush, and walk away. It was however his stuff, and I had pulled it from the trash on his time

I live in the auburn lewiston area im not sure how close that is to you. I havnt looked much into electronics in cars didn't know much was inside computers and hardware like that. I work at a garage but do alot of sidework at my own place and know of many people that do the same but don't scrap so me taking there stuff is a relief to them and free money for me. Im going to try to get better at identifying my metals and wiring and I need to go down to my local yard and get some prices and advice. Plan on going Wednesday for my first few loads of scrap wish me luck!

Great! I get calls every so often from there. Too far for me. I'm 20 miles east of Augusta. You might want to send me your contact info. Also check out my website: http://www.metalbatteryrecycling.com/

My email is mdelano82011@yahoo give me a message and I can get you my number to. Try to help each other out to maximize potential

Should be something after Yahoo. Maybe net or com.

.com

Mick, what are you paying for batteries?

mdelano, there's good money in converters too

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Originally Posted by justjunkin

Mick, what are you paying for batteries?

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Sent PM

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Originally Posted by mdelano82011

My email is mdelano82011@yahoo give me a message and I can get you my number to. Try to help each other out to maximize potential

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I took apart a GM computer and that paid hi grade, but my buyer does not like the Fords as their loaded with baked tar and impossible to get into. Don't know about the others yet,,,