Printable View
Got offered 5 pallets of microwaves at .07 per pound. Not sure if that is that great of a deal, what do you guys think? All cords will be attached. The problem I am having is that they are all different sizes. I tore one down and weighed it and would come out good on it, then tore another one down with more plastic and was going to make very little. Wondering thoughts from you guys that do a lot of microwaves.
Offer .06 cents a lb.......Even at .07 a lb you should make money.....U will not get rich but there is money to be made depending on what your local yard is paying for shred,,,,,,For me it would be a no brainer as I have a local yard that would pay me .09cents a lb whole but some yards require different things to be done to microwaves to accept them
plus you got 3 motors ins 2 and a transformer in them. good money and way above .07
Not knowing the details of the transaction; "5 pallets of microwaves" Be sure you are not paying for the weight of the pallet itself. A pallet can weigh 30 to 50 #s times 5 can cut into your profits big time.
If you dont mind doing a little break down I would cut the cord off and at least take out the transformer. The transformers in microwaves are pretty large and not too hard to get the copper wire out of. The rest of the microwave I would sell as tin @ $130/ton (today's price).
I'd call your scrap yard first and see if they take microwaves. I tried to take one to mine some time ago, and they wouldn't take it because it supposedly contained "radioactive material". I researched it and found out that it was a total misconception. However, I'm sure you could break it down and scrap the innards without including the steel or plastic shell that surrounds it all.
Thanks for that, I had the same thing happen to me and some fellow scrapers at home didn't believe me. I have 3 yards close by and the other 2 would accept them. Try to cover all bases before diving into anything. I think I will break everything completely down to maximize.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bamcis
Wait! you do need to be carefully with the magnetron, it could case serious health problems. Watch this video first:Quote:
Originally Posted by johnuppy
Dangers of Dismantling a Magnetron - YouTube
Also make sure that the capacitor doesnt still have a charge. It could zap you pretty good and some say it could even kill you.
Other than that there is nothing to worry about.
too bad i can't watch videosQuote:
Originally Posted by mrsamsonite
even a guy at my little country yard mentioned the microwave shell in my load the other day, but the guy with him pointed out it had been stripped to bare metal
I wouldn't pay for microwaves because of the amount of glass and plastics. I have to show the capacitor is removed for my steel yard to take them. The wiring, motors and transformer add some value but not enough in my opinion to pay for them.
After reading many of the threads, I feel lucky that my yard takes a lot of metals that contain plastic/glass contamination. My yard takes microwaves no problem.
I wonder why that is?? There is nothing dangerous in them.Quote:
I have to show the capacitor is removed for my steel yard to take them.
I read somewhere(here) there's something inside those you need to be careful about breathing?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mechanic688
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bamcis
I have worked in nuclear reactors for 26 years and there is no radiation!!! I think it is deet in the magnatronQuote:
Originally Posted by Bear
The magnetron has ceramic insulators that contain Beryllium Oxide which is highly toxic when breathed in. So, just make sure that you dont smash or grind the ceramic insulators on the magnetron.
The capacitor can hold an electric charge and shock you even though its not plugged in. Nothing inside of the capacitor is dangerous, just the electrical charge.
Not all nukes are rich in copper. The last older Sharp Carousel I stripped down was really a disappointment. The only copper I recovered came from the magnetron core, power cord, cooling fan and a small amount from the carousel motor and misc wire. The transformer was solid aluminum wire. :P
Agreed that alu wire is so disappointing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Abuilder
Capacitors have oil in them maybe that's why the yards don't want them. I have broke down many microwaves in the past 5 years and have never been shocked by the capacitor. My yard will take them with the plastic and glass. They take cars with plastic and glass and even pay more for them so why would they not take a microwave? Always check the copper windings in the transformers some have half copper and half aluminum.I would never pay for microwaves, to many free ones out there.
Also some have PCBs in them.
Look at the pic and the Beryllium Oxide is the little "pink thingie" right by his index finger, just be careful and don't bust it up. If you disassemble them wrap it up and carefully put it in the trash.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bear
Printed circuit boards???Quote:
Originally Posted by bpatnoe
Whats the price per microwave?Quote:
Originally Posted by johnuppy
How many microwaves are there?
Are they older 'wooden finish' microwaves with knobs or are they more modern 'white' or stainless with touch sensitive keyboards?
Older ones have about 2Lbs copper in each one. Theres 1 or 2 or 3 motors & 1 big transformer (1Kg) & a little one (50gms) plus the wire.
Newer ones often have a ali/copper main transformer (now its 1Lb copper..) & a small tranny & wire & a silver containing keypad.
The magnatron has 80 grams copper in each one.
If you end up with a hundred or so, find someone with a lathe & they can machine the end caps off witout damaging the berrilium ceramic. I think it works out as NZ$0.50 cents each. (US$ 0.40cents)
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)sQuote:
Originally Posted by bpatnoe
Thats the oil in the capactor that you are talking about.
I have never seen one with it. If it says "No PCB's' its safe, if it hasn't, class it as a PCB Capactor.