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Magnetic copper?

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    jonnyjeb started this thread.
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    Magnetic copper?

    Well, we all know that's not true but maybe someone can help. I dismantled a fridge the other day, ripped out all the copper tubing (so I thought), which as you know can be tough with all the insulation. Anyway, happened to set it down next to a magnet and you guessed it, it stuck. What is that zinc or something?



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    No its ferrous, at least on the inside. Run your magnet down the entire tube and you will likely find most of it is copper. Just cut off the part that sicks to the magnet. I would throw it in the shred but if you get enough you might get a dirty copper price for it. Others with more experience will have a more complete explanation. Mike.
    "Profit begins when you buy NOT when you sell." {quote passed down to me from a wise man}

    Now go beat the copper out of something, Miked

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    jonnyjeb started this thread.
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    Thanks Mike, that's what I thought too as many copper tubes continue on as ferrous but not this one. Whole length is ferrous. Thanks any way though!

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    Good Stainless wouldnt stick to a magnet. Maybe its a low grade stainless. Ive run into this type of tubing before and just used my magnet to find where it the line turns into actual copper instead of the copper coated steel.

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    Quote Originally Posted by mikedmissouri View Post
    Good Stainless wouldnt stick to a magnet. Maybe its a low grade stainless. Ive run into this type of tubing before and just used my magnet to find where it the line turns into actual copper instead of the copper coated steel.
    The two lines have to be bonded together somehow (usually brazed) shouldn't be hard to see if you look at it.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mechanic688 View Post
    The two lines have to be bonded together somehow (usually brazed) shouldn't be hard to see if you look at it.
    I must be talking about about something different then everyone else. What i was refering to was a line that appears to be copper but is just copper coated steel. You can scratch it and expose the steel. I thought i hit the jackpot one day when i got a fridge that i thought had a copper "radiator" but it turned out to just be this copper coated stuff.

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    You can get the same steel lines out of old deep freezers if I remember right.. in the insulation. Also a little off track but on the same topic.. Old telephone lines are copper coated steel as well.. I bought it a few times before picking up on it. People will sneak anything through if you aren't looking.

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    Which is why old deep freezers are not worth digging that deep into...... learn that one the hard way..... stupid old appliances an stuff!
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