Reminder when scrapping dryers

When scrapping a dryer, if you have time do not forget to check the bottom of the dryer (on the inside under the drum). The first dryer I ever scrapped I heard something rattling around, so out of curiosity I took the back off and retrieved about $7 in loose change. Since then I have checked every one and generally get a coin or two out of every other one. I hit the motherlode in the last dryer though. Almost $19 in change and a heavy sterling silver chain. I have heard about some folks finding small gold items, but have yet to find one myself. So check the bottoms, you may find more than what you will get for scrapping the dryer itself.

i have found a 20$ bill, a gold ring, a gold necklace, more than 1 silver ring, countless dollars in change in the past 5 years scrapping.

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Originally Posted by 503scrapper

i have found a 20$ bill, a gold ring, a gold necklace, more than 1 silver ring, countless dollars in change in the past 5 years scrapping.

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Wow, 503 you're on a roll with your scrapping!

Have you posted your services here yet?

While working for sears about 10 years ago. I was cleaning out a dryer and found 3 - $100 bills The owner gave me one of them for being honest... Now I never let a dryer go without opening it up....

Scrapped another dryer yesterday and from the sounds of moving around I knew there were quite a few coins. Found over one hundred, and thought I found my first gold, a small hoop ear ring and pearl stud with gold post. Looked at them both and saw the letters RGF (rolled gold filled) after 14K on both. I guess technically is gold, just not the content I hoped for. Oh well, will continue the search. I have found that by removing the top and then removing the drum, it is naturally much easier to remove the electric motor, but is also easier to remove anything that is loose on the bottom.

As a tech, I wanna say if they are in good condition and work you could probably sell them on craigslist for more than the scrap value. Dryers and washers are easy to fix, and can fetch at least $75. I take them all apart and delint them ( ie. look for money) test them clean them and list them on craigslist. In fact I just sold a good looking kenmore washer for $125 and getting ready to list a Jen air washer for the same amount. I generally sell the dryers for $75 to $100 depending on age. Happy scrapping

The last washer I had looked fairly new, but I didn't want to mess with getting it to run at the time. As I tore it down I figured out the problem. The plastic coupler between motor and gearbox had broke. After a bit of research and watching a youtube video on how to replace it, I came to the conclusion that for about 14 dollars and a 1/2 hour labor I could have had a working washer. Deeming nothing else was wrong with it.

Also be sure to check every inch of tubing, the pumps in a washer, and everything else. I was fixing my own washer today and found about a dollar in change in just one pump. Split the tubes open with a box cutter and watch the money fall out.

how do things like that get into the bottom of the dryer?

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Originally Posted by mike1

how do things like that get into the bottom of the dryer?

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Gravity

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Originally Posted by brandon

Gravity

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i know that but there are no spaces for things especially dollar bills to get into the bottom theres just no way. all the holes i saw when i looked inside the place where you put ur clothes the holes arent big enough for a penny let alone a dollar.

Magic!

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Originally Posted by freonjoe

Magic!

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lol thats funny. ok heres a question can you check for money without breaking the dryer? cause i would like to check but i wanna know if checking will break it or not.

Rock it back and forth.

Kris Kringle, I should have more paid attention to your tag line.

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Originally Posted by mike1

i know that but there are no spaces for things especially dollar bills to get into the bottom theres just no way. all the holes i saw when i looked inside the place where you put ur clothes the holes arent big enough for a penny let alone a dollar.

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I am guessing it's either getting down between the lint trap, or between the drum and front panel. Tore down a dryer on Wednesday. Found a dollar bill, a dime, lint and a pencil.

Does anyone check the pump on the washers before they scrap them? My washer broke and I had to replace the motor couplings when I removed the pump I found one of my underwires for one of my bras. While I know it isn't the most spectacular thing to find , I was thinking that more stuff could become lodged in there.

Underwires are the most common thing I've found in washer pumps. One of the more common service calls on the direct drive washers.

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Originally Posted by freonjoe

Underwires are the most common thing I've found in washer pumps. One of the more common service calls on the direct drive washers.

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I did not know! Learn something new everyday. :) What about socks where do they go?lol

I think to sock heaven!

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Magic!

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When it spins fast enough it turns into a black hole.

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when I removed the pump I found one of my underwires for one of my bras.

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I hate that when it happens,,,:D

The felt seals on the ends of the drum start to wear out after a few years. The gap created in the worn seals is where the coins and other treasures slide through and fall into the bottom of the dryer.
The older (80s and 90s) Whirlpool\Kenmore dryers with the small kick plate at the bottom below the door score the best for coins. I call them "piggy bank" dryers. You can get to the coins easily even if you dont plan on breaking down the whole dryer. Just pry the top of the kick plate loose by sliding a putty knife or flat screwdriver along the top of the plate. This will release the top and the plate will "hinge" down out of the way.
My 4 year old loves digging the coins out of these types of dryers.
I fixed appliances for a thrift store many years ago. We used to go out in the "bone yard" and collect coins. I remember I got like $67 in three hours one time doing it.

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Originally Posted by utahscrapper

The felt seals on the ends of the drum start to wear out after a few years. The gap created in the worn seals is where the coins and other treasures slide through and fall into the bottom of the dryer.
The older (80s and 90s) Whirlpool\Kenmore dryers with the small kick plate at the bottom below the door score the best for coins. I call them "piggy bank" dryers. You can get to the coins easily even if you dont plan on breaking down the whole dryer. Just pry the top of the kick plate loose by sliding a putty knife or flat screwdriver along the top of the plate. This will release the top and the plate will "hinge" down out of the way.
My 4 year old loves digging the coins out of these types of dryers.
I fixed appliances for a thrift store many years ago. We used to go out in the "bone yard" and collect coins. I remember I got like $67 in three hours one time doing it.

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ah that is interesting i didnt know that not that mine is from the 80's not sure what year it is ill have to see.

Great Post! Here too... We find change every single time!!!

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Originally Posted by mike1

ah that is interesting i didnt know that not that mine is from the 80's not sure what year it is ill have to see.

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Sounds like someone's fix'in to get in trouble taring up Mom's dryer.

My cousin gave me a dryer a while back....didn't notice till I was breaking down that he had cut the chord. $@# So I sent him a e-mail telling him I was bringing the dryer back cause he cut the chord, I only found one dollar and forty two cents and no expensive jewelry !!

Scrapped a dryer yesterday, first one for me other than fixing my own. For anyone thats interested here was the results were on an older Amana HD Dryrer I scavenged out of a ditch.
95# tin most plastic off. local yard is real particular on that
1/2# aluminum
5# shred, hardware misc small pieces
9# motor
1.5 lbs insulated wire Power cord was gone and not all wire was copper
few ounces brass from terminal ends and power cable contacts.
Saved the timer and switch contacts (silver ?)
1.85 loose change
Made better money scrapping other stuff in the same time frame, but you never know what might be in the bottom

Auction Houses. Make friends with a local auctioneer. If you have working appliances and a good auction house you can get nearly retail out of clean looking working appliances, and don't have to mess with Craigslist!

I found one gold ear ring, two silver studs & one diamond in dryer yesterday.

If the drum paddles come off check them found several coins under and inside them on the last dryer I scrapped.

yeah i love dryers, i always find a few pieces of change, best ever was over 11 bucks, in change and a 5 dollar bill. one of the ladies i work with gave it to me, she said if her husband would'nt empty his pockets, she would'nt either.

A year or so ago, i was helping a friend of mine scrap about 15 dryers out of a laundromat from the 60's.
we made like $50 just off the coins and paper money.

there was also some heavy aluminum trim, and the carcasses were just plain heavy...about 250lb each after stripping them