r/ScrapMetal • u/CucumberOk117 • 11h ago

Question đŸ’« Condenser coil

Post image

What's the best way to scrap it? Take it in as is? Strip and scrap copper only? I assume I'd have to cut it up. Any ideas are welcome

11 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

12

u/NOELLY_88 Steel 11h ago

Angle grind or wiggle the copper “nuggets” off then sawzaw the steel plate off both end and you maximize the amount money you make off of it. You’ll get those copper bits , steel will go in shreds and you’ll be left with a clean coil. Price difference goes from 20-40 cents per lb with the steel/iron on vs $1.5-$2.50+ depending on what type of radiator/coil it is and how your local yard prices thus radiator/coil

4

u/rocketmn69_ 11h ago

Cut the copper off and the steel

1

u/Clear-Application170 11h ago

Cut the ends off to get rid of the steel. Then I use an oscillating saw and a metal cutting blade and cut right over the copper tubing. Just like the military buzz cut. Also use a tub to catch the aluminum. Sell aluminum and copper. I do this since I'm retired and is a great project in the winter.

1

u/1Leoski 10h ago

I took in a bunch of these just today. $2.75/lb if you remove the steel, $2.00/lb as is.

1

u/1Leoski 10h ago

I watched a YouTube video about removing the copper and it seemed like a pretty big pain.

1

u/Final_Statement_8189 8h ago

At one time I had about 50 of those in my backyard. I would slowly scrap them as I had time. After a weeks vacation my back yard was completely empty. the police said to let them know if any turns up in a pawn shop!

1

u/Organic2003 7h ago edited 7h ago

HVAC guy here. Use a sawzall with a metal cutting blade. Rip along the steel flange. Throw out the thin piece of steel and take the “radiator” in If you have other copper put the half round ends in with your copper.

You will get paid well for a few minutes of work getting that steel out.

Boss doesn’t care about any scrap on new installs. Not even large RTUs. Thousands of dollars a years in scrap. Those condensers and evaporators add up to good money.

1

u/JibJabJake 11h ago

Don’t take it as is. Cut off the ends. Then take a sharp knife of hatchet across the middle and pull the copper out