Scrapping copper/aluminum radiators. How to easily separate the copper from the aluminum, some tips!

Hello scrappers and planet lovers. this video is a continuation of scrapping copper/aluminum radiators. In this video I will show you how to easily and effectively separate the copper from the aluminum. I will also give you some tips and tricks to help make if easier and safer to do.

[@SirDexus]

I went out scrapping today and found a VERY OLD window air conditioner. It weights a little over 50 pound! Very excited to open it and see what goodies are within! I think I will skip stripping the copper since I watched this. To little profit for the time! Thanks tons for the insight!

[@mohammedkhizer5950]

Which all machines should I use or something eles because I am a beginner

[@shubbz87]

Love your channel. Cant believe Canada is alive and producing 🤘😏

[@flipfloppicker]

I was trying to figure out the bestway to do these! Thx

[@TinManScrapper]

I don’t take out all the inner copper. It is very light and can get messy. I will cut the side copper off and get $4.59 for those pieces as #2 and the rest I get $2.29lb for so that is good for me.

[@ohyikes1]

I watched several similiar videos and your video was by far the best. Thanks!

[@TinManScrapper]

Thank you so much. I appreciate the compliment. Stay well and thanks for the support.

[@AngelAguilar-ej2km]

Thanks brother just started micro scrapping after years of scrapping. Your videos help.

[@TinManScrapper]

Glad you find them useful. Thanks for watching. Stay well and happy scrapping!

[@3dguy839]

First scrapping ive seen with sandles as footwear😮

[@almacli8360]

Thanks for your advice 👈🏼💯💯

[@Powerdweeb96]

You're a legend bro, thank you!

[@TinManScrapper]

Happy to help. Thanks for the compliment! Stay well

[@kphelps5431]

This will help alot. I was getting ready to work on these and you made this look easy. Thanks!

[@TinManScrapper]

Glad to help. Stay well.

[@JacobafJelling]

Thanks for caring brother. Greetings from Denmark 🇩🇰

[@TinManScrapper]

Thank you for the comment and watching. Stay well.

[@waseemahmed8489]

Nice video thanks

[@TinManScrapper]

Thanks for watching.

[@MissAmazanda]

The older AC units have more copper in them, the copper elbows are smaller on new units I've torn apart, still worth taking them apart though...

[@vidiotsyndrome]

I love the Adidas "safety slides"!!!! Since you're talking about safety equipment

[@TinManScrapper]

Actually they are Nautica slides

[@vidiotsyndrome]

@@TinManScrapper oops.... 2stripes, 3stripes.... All looks the same to my bad eyes

[@TinManScrapper]

@@vidiotsyndrome lol, either way I liked the comment. Happy holidays and thanks for watching.

[@angelreyna4630]

Very helpful and informative 👍

[@TinManScrapper]

Thanks for watching and glad I could help. Stay well.

[@tommington9599]

I was just doing this today! But with about 20 fifty kilo ones 😅 I did exactly this with a grinder for about 1 and a half of them then gave up because it was taking soo long haha.

[@TinManScrapper]

Yup, not worth it.

[@mohammedkhizer5950]

Which all machines should I use or something eles because I am a beginner

[@handduggraverdronline]

It's worth it. Only takes 2 min to clean those. Now a car rad is a bit different

[@huckstirred7112]

depends on your time .I am working on a machine top do it

[@handduggraverdronline]

It literally takes 2 min

[@huckstirred7112]

@@handduggraverdronline i will try again

[@handduggraverdronline]

Yeah I find them to be fast to clean. Just use a new blade to score. It's faster and definitely safer. My scrap yard actually hates me because I clean the ACR.

[@huckstirred7112]

@@handduggraverdronline I just did something real stupid .I put the thing in a vat of lye .shit is rock hard

[@SilverScorpion]

First. Great video and info

[@azrielmateria8050]

With all non ferrous taking a hit rn save for gold etc. This is worth it. Clean copper aluminum rads are 1.30 in mn rn. And number 1 is 2.50 and 2.35 for number 2.

[@ScrappingwithGrandpa]

I am hoping to be like you one day with 5000 subscribers

[@TinManScrapper]

You are well on your way! Btw, nice necklace and earrings you won from that draw. Stay well my friend.

[@savetheaspies]

LOL! I thought he said "tit man". I was like, "Well good for you bro... I am more of a legs/ass man myself." ROFL!

[@TinManScrapper]

Lol, thanks for the comment, I had a good laugh.

[@handduggraverdronline]

I save all my small used up grinding wheels to score the aluminum. Easy and fastest way for me. Now if I get a rad that is a pain I put in a think steel bowl like a compressor bottom. Then I pull the copper out and pour the aluminum into a bar.

[@nesco713]

I use the angle grinder to do the ends....you think a plasma will make it easier to expose the copper faster???

[@TinManScrapper]

Not sure, I find a grinder does just fine as well

[@nesco713]

@TinManScrapper thanks. I use an angle grinder as well, but saw ppl starting to use plasma to recycle. Hope to run into a video soon to see if plasma is faster and easier. Thanks.

[@cuetTimmonz]

Hi so is this the same method for a furnace rad? Thx.

[@TinManScrapper]

Yes, any type of copper/aluminum radiator. Also a home ac unit.

[@MrScrappity]

Looks like I used my gums to chew the copper out 😁 Also , that "workbench" 😁 😁

[@TinManScrapper]

Just used it for show, not my real bench.

[@silverjunkie6585]

Thanks Tin Man, So in Southern Ontario do you have to take the steel plates off the ends to get the $2 plus a pound on the rads, I know in Thunder Bay here we have to take the steel off or they are dirty rads Thanks again appreciate you doing this experiment

[@TinManScrapper]

It depends on the size. I do, since it is better to get the copper ends of first. I think it depends on the person working at the yard.

[@silverjunkie6585]

@@TinManScrapper thanks ya I think It would be better to get those copper noodles anyways

[@dalecaruso2052]

In Timmins I get 1.50 per pound with the steel ends left on, so I just leave them on cause I'm getting that 1.50 for the steel weight as well.

[@timnewton3300]

I've seen videos where a guy uses a band saw to cut through the aluminum fins to remove the copper. Could be quicker, and if you get rads often it would pay for the band saw.

[@juancarlosgonzalez2537]

This is a good Technic

[@TinManScrapper]

Thanks, but it does depend on the scrapper, not all will remove the copper tubes completely. Stay well and happy scrapping

[@teamSHTF]

Nice to know!

[@user-cy8vn9yp8g]

So the aluminum...you get a aluminum can price for ? Good video this is how I do my Cooper/aluminum stuff.......

[@TinManScrapper]

No pop cans are their own price. The aluminum would be with the sheet or clean aluminum around $0.45 lb. Cdn here. Popcans are going for around $0.80 lb right now

[@ron6505]

an angle grinder works so much better , cuts the aluminum fast , and just hit it with chisel and a hammer in between the pipe and you will expose the pipe , i started off doing this method a while back but decided to start using a grinder to test it out and it actually cuts time in half. i usually stick to the 2 pipe panels but will definitely scrap the 3 pipe panels as well but i just leave the middle row since it’s a bit more time consuming. but thanks for showing this method to people who are looking forward to scrap this type of stuff

[@golamrabbani8895]

Tin man thanks for your information , please kindly helf to answer a question , does it profitable to separate radiator ? i am planing to start radiator separate business , what is your opinion ??

[@TinManScrapper]

Hi Golam, thanks for the question. I actually have another video on “separating copper from aluminum radiators, is it worth it”? I do answer that question in the video, I think it depends on price, time and size of radiators.

[@therocketman4494]

I've done a couple of them and I prefer to use a hardened steel stick, insert it in the tube and pull-up step by step to cut the tube and radiator in half and then just grap the copper and pull it out

[@TinManScrapper]

There are a couple of good methods for sure. Thanks for the comment. Stay well.

[@andrikpozos6194]

Man i was tryna sellt the ones i have but they said i need an hvac license how did you sell it?

[@TinManScrapper]

shop around, I never get asked that question here. I think it could depend on where you live.Some states in the U.s. I have heard have stricter rules as they don’t want to encourage people cutting the tubes and releasing the Freon. I would shop around though, I am sure you could find a buyer. if not then strip all the copper out and sell the copper as copper tubing.

[@bobbyichon-pn5tt]

sir I will apply you..thank you sir

[@mohammedkhizer5950]

Which all machine should I use because I am a beginner

[@mohammedkhizer5950]

Can we do it from any other drill machine or something

[@ralphkleyer9324]

When you leave them whole do you at least cut the #1 and #2 copper off the ends and remove the steel?

[@TinManScrapper]

Yes

[@TinManScrapper]

Copper price will be be worth more. Also some yards might try to penalize you for the steel, but again depends on the yard, country, region

[@huckstirred7112]

you get shit money leaving the steel .cut the solder joints out of the noodles and you get a pile of number one .use a small bolt cutters for the noodles

[@nelsonalvarado7220]

Sorry I didn't understand the profit ...how much profit did you get from just the AC aluminum copper pads when separating?

[@smoky407cdd]

Not worth the time .. just cut off the copper tips

[@CarlosRamirez-pm1mu]

Try a band saw with a dull blade and you’ll reduce the cleaning time considerably,good luck

[@lanajacknichols8397]

is it #2 with the aluminum fins still on the tubes same as the solder on them?

[@TinManScrapper]

No, with aluminum fins it is referred to as copper radiator price per weight. Just the bars with no soddering are number 1. If soddering on then #2, so usually some of the coils will have some on them

[@lanajacknichols8397]

@@TinManScrapper okay thanks . so if I separate the soldered side from the rest of the lengths. I will have a good bit of number one copper it looks like they're only soldered on one end

[@TinManScrapper]

@@lanajacknichols8397 correct. I would also throw the little pieces into a bucket with water first , just to remove some of the oily feel

[@John-eo5dt]

🎉🎉

[@AMBASSADORHOFF]

i have to separate them, my scrapyard makes you present an HVAC license for these. So some people have to to by-pass that!, thanks for showing me man!

[@billymacktexasdetective5827]

What's the name of the scrap yard that forces you to produce an HVAC license to sell these? I'd like to call and verify your story as I find it hard to believe...

[@AMBASSADORHOFF]

@@billymacktexasdetective5827 lake June scrap metal

[@3dguy839]

Just by small furnace and melt down into copper ingot

[@UNLOCKSHOPPING]

sir,,,,,, how much copper in 1.5 ton simple indoor unit ?

[@TinManScrapper]

I would have to see it, but I imagine it is going to have several large copper/aluminum radiators, so a good score for sure.

[@darrenmoniz4907]

Wow, whole in Hawaii is only $1.05lb which is still good, but that’s just the scrap yard I go to I’m pretty sure there’s different scrap yards that pay for more here in Hawaii

[@TinManScrapper]

I am just jealous you live in Hawaii. Lol. Thanks for the comment. Amazing the different prices places will give.

[@darrenmoniz4907]

@@TinManScrapper I’m jealous that you’re scrap yard pays way more. The cost of living in Hawaii is very expensive itself. Yes the weather is always perfect but it’s just the cost of living.

[@darrenmoniz4907]

*your not you’re 🤦🏻‍♂️🤣

[@YAK_INC]

You the ham 🍖 #ScrapGang

[@bobbyichon-pn5tt]

sir may I apply a job you with scrap.

[@judygreenfield8468]

And veicals

[@Mike-lp1vr]

The copper is so thin inside that it doesn’t way nothing a peice of paper weighs more copper right now here in Rhode island is an ok price no1 is $3.75lb no2 is $3,60 a lb on a good day brass was $1.80 now it’s $2.15

[@TinManScrapper]

I think it depends on the scrapper. I too don’t bother taking out the copper from inside, it some will. I don’t strip different appliance wire like microwave chords since I think it is a waste of time, but some people will. Thanks for the comment. Brass took a big jump in price here as well. Stay well and happy scrapping.

[@UnselfishPath]

You have to be a licensed HVAC or have a receipt showing you had a work done to sell those in the U.S.

[@cuscrapping]

Not everywhere. There is no requirement in Illinois.

[@nvwi9687]

Not in wisconsin

[@ScrappingwithGrandpa]

Not in Nc

[@ScrappingwithGrandpa]

Good job tin man

[@combatcookOIF2]

Not in NY

[@aaronpadilla7170]

Been doing this for years acr's and heater coils

[@austinhernandez2716]

In the US you're required to be certified for HVAC which means going to college and working for years which isn't worth it

[@TinManScrapper]

I am actually waiting for our gov. To change those laws too, to prevent people opening the grills for the copper. Amazing what different rules apply in various countries, states, provinces etc.

[@blakecroley9075]

This is not true 😂 everyone In nc scraps coper near about and half of them do not have no hvac license

[@austinhernandez2716]

@@blakecroley9075 Well it's require here in Georgia at least. You would get a huge ticket and jail time.

[@charlesgates1350]

No problem turning them in in Tucson Az. Personally I take the time to. Clean up. Everything. Why get 40% when taking the steel and U off both ends gives you so much more for a clean price. Just saying. I have watched all. The videos. Some you make look too easy.

[@TinManScrapper]

Lol, been doing it for a while. Comes with practice I guess. Stay well and happy scrapping

[@t-towntransparency8850]

Brother this is the slowest rad clean I've ever witnessed. Use a sawzall and cut em apart. Then shave the aluminum off into a container with the same saw. Done number 2 send it. Been doing this awhile brother. Trust me this isn't the way if you wanna make money.

[@TinManScrapper]

You are right, just giving people options. In my opinion it does depend on where you live, since the tubes don’t weigh much I put in copper/aluminum radiator and get $2.05 lb

[@pgh1729]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2rMlIt7fbF7ack Also, this breaks down the math why you shouldn’t do it, which makes more sense than doing it...(I only scrap copper is why I do it....and I usually save a couple thousand lbs of copper when price is right before I turn in...) so that’s only reason I do it...

[@XGRIMYONEX]

Why are you cleaning it ? The scrap yards are filthy . At least in New York. All that coil Ned’s to come off for full price. Aluminum is only 35 cents I don’t bother unless I’m really broke.

[@TinManScrapper]

Yup, not worth it for me either.

[@Mike-lp1vr]

Nothing about that is no1 copper atleast where I live

[@TinManScrapper]

I think it really depends on where you live and who is running the scale house on the day you bring in your items.

[@pgh1729]

Your working too hard. Put a cut on every copper pipe right in the middle of the pipe. In the aluminum space between each pipe take a fat philips heads screwdriver and push hard and drag it against all the way down the aluminum between each pipe and the pipes literally fall out after that with zero effort. Your doing too much man...

[@savetheaspies]

My crap yard... Ehhem... I mean scrap yard. Won't give money for the "fluff"... yet they offer to dispose of it for free LMAO! I'm going to start trying other yards in the area. Their non-ferrous guy wont even talk to you. You try to ask friendly questions about their sorting expectations. (As they have no signs, online guidance, or brochures describing their categorization standards.) You'll be lucky to get 3 words out of him. So basically your just supposed to trust that he's not ripping you off. Shit their yard has a christian name... they must be trust worthy right? WRONG! I had a bunch of #1 pipe that depending on location may have even counted as bare bright. This dick counted it as #2! with my motor wires!

[@TinManScrapper]

Funny eh, since it is aluminum. Yeah, they will dispose of it right into the aluminum baler

[@richter9990]

Lot of bla bla bla🤮

[@TinManScrapper]

Sorry, but trying to explain to beginner scrappers.

[@richter9990]

It's nothing to do with: ( what weather is outside, and what kind of breakfast you you had. Etc). :)

[@emilyhouse9642]

I just seperated an outside unit radiator in 5 mins with a sawzall

[@mohammedkhizer5950]

Which all machines should I use or something eles because I am a beginner