removing aluminum from copper ac coils

Printable View

02-10-2013, 08:13 PM
steelcrow

removing aluminum from copper ac coils

Hi all

New here and relativly new to scrapping and had a Q i'd like to ask

I have several window AC units I found in a dump back in the woods...all shot up, been used for target practice it looks like so no prob w refrigerant

Ive torn them down and have a pile of copper tubing with aluminum "hair" attached all over it....looks like tinsel if you know what I mean.

Is it worth my time to remove this alum? Im pretty sure I can melt it off w propane torch but i thought I 'd ask

Thanks for a great site
02-10-2013, 08:17 PM
brandon

It all depends on what your time is worth,
Now go introduce yourself and read some of the old threads.
02-10-2013, 08:21 PM
jghilino

ive heard that heatgund wo wonders on solder, but i dont think you will be able to get it clean, your looking at copper/aluminum pricing on that, #2 copper if you get it clean enough
02-10-2013, 10:55 PM
Mechanic688

Maybe shave it with a razor knife??
02-10-2013, 11:33 PM
unitsngold

Razor will work only for a bit then requires to much force. Bad things usually happen with lots of force and a razor if your not carefull.
02-10-2013, 11:45 PM
eesakiwi

Some scrapmetal buyers have a seperate price for a Ali/Copper mix. Sorta like the 'radiator' price (Copper/Brass mix)

My scrapdealer used to pay it out at 'Ali grade' prices. But because the Copper adds a lot of weight to it, by volume I still get a good price without the extra work.

I have a 'Ali tube with Ali tinsel on it' condensor but intend to make a Christmas tree from it next Christmas.
02-11-2013, 01:07 AM
1956

wELL I THIIS A CARDNIAL SIN TO DO iF YOU PUT THE COILS IN A VISE AND WITH A ZAZA CUT THE TIN OFF THE COILS YOU WILL HAVE COPPER ALUM COILS CLEAN SOME A/C DO NOT HAVE A TIN FRAME SO IF YOU GET YOUR MAGNET OUT CHECK BEFORE CLEANING THEM THE PRICE FOR CLEAN COPPER ALUMINUM COILS IS BETWEEN 1.25 1.75 DEPENDING YOUR REGION ITS LIKE EVERY THING ELESE THE MORE YOU HAVE THE MORE THEY WILL PAY
02-12-2013, 07:32 AM
skylinejack

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1956

wELL I THIIS A CARDNIAL SIN TO DO iF YOU PUT THE COILS IN A VISE AND WITH A ZAZA CUT THE TIN OFF THE COILS YOU WILL HAVE COPPER ALUM COILS CLEAN SOME A/C DO NOT HAVE A TIN FRAME SO IF YOU GET YOUR MAGNET OUT CHECK BEFORE CLEANING THEM THE PRICE FOR CLEAN COPPER ALUMINUM COILS IS BETWEEN 1.25 1.75 DEPENDING YOUR REGION ITS LIKE EVERY THING ELESE THE MORE YOU HAVE THE MORE THEY WILL PAY

I can't even read that^^^^
02-12-2013, 08:02 AM
Mechanic688

I have a lot of tools but I don't have a zaza, where do you buy them?? :confused:
02-12-2013, 08:07 AM
KzScrapper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

I have a lot of tools but I don't have a zaza, where do you buy them?? :confused:

Sounds like some new Greek Saw.
02-13-2013, 03:20 AM
1956

Sorry about the shop slang

[QUOTE=KZBell;131540]Sounds like some new Greek Saw.[/QUOTE In my shop we use many abbreviations, zaza is short for a Reciprocating Saw. Sorry about that I forgot who i was talking to.
02-21-2013, 12:17 AM
BreakerDown

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

I have a lot of tools but I don't have a zaza, where do you buy them?? :confused:

I had the lady of the house once asking how I pronounce my name (SawzAll) when I brought in my saw in off the truck. :)
06-16-2013, 10:37 AM
robsrecycling

the best method I have found is a table saw with a 8 in cutting wheel attached(required some modding) but its a little dangerous.still too time consuming for my taste
06-17-2013, 02:48 AM
newattitude

I used to take tons of time using razors to cut the aluminum off. no more, for me, its only a 10 cent loss turning them in unclean. I have to pick my battles.
12-01-2017, 01:34 PM
mike1

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelcrow

Hi all

New here and relativly new to scrapping and had a Q i'd like to ask

I have several window AC units I found in a dump back in the woods...all shot up, been used for target practice it looks like so no prob w refrigerant

Ive torn them down and have a pile of copper tubing with aluminum "hair" attached all over it....looks like tinsel if you know what I mean.

Is it worth my time to remove this alum? Im pretty sure I can melt it off w propane torch but i thought I 'd ask

Thanks for a great site

hello yes i have encountered only one ac with ali hair around the copper tube and here at my yard i get num 1 tube anything that is not soldered is num 1. here is what i did with it i found the end and started to unwind it it takes a while but its better then burning it=) i find the copper easier to get out of that type of ac rather than the more common ones that are square or rectangular with the loops on the ends. all in all i deem that the hair ones take me less time otherwise i use a hammer and chisel on the other ones takes aboout 3 days vs maybe a hour or to for unwinding the hair and that way you dont loose ur ali in the fire.
12-02-2017, 06:17 PM
manjelle

sounds like your talking about condenser coils down here they call them reefers(short for refrigerent coils). they have a clean and dirty price for them. clean means the strip of metal on the sides needs to come off.