Do you have a steady supply of desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and other electronics? Computer-based electronics have decent amount of recyclable aluminum, copper, and even some gold that can be worth your time if you're able to efficiently scrap and store the materials. To make even the small shavings worth your time, here are a few scrapping and melting plans to improve your recycling process.

Aluminum Stacking Or Melting

One of the first recyclable computer materials worth driving into a recycling center is aluminum. The case and framework is made out of aluminum, many of the components have additional aluminum cases, and there are solid aluminum components that can be removed.

To remove the case quickly and efficiently, you just need a screwdriver. Most cases are held together with a Phillips (cross tip) screw and possibly a set of switches that need to be pressed to open the device. Tool-free cases can be confusing if you haven't encountered one before, but you just need to find the right switches and pull the case apart or slide the panel away.

You don't need to dismantle the case further, but it can help with melting in crucibles. The framework and struts are usually held together with additional screws, but rivets or sliding tabs are also used in some computers. Wear work gloves if you need to pull the tabs apart, as the metal edges can be razor shape due to the machining process.

One heavy piece of aluminum in most computers is the heat sink. These are solid blocks of metal with thin fins on the top, which are used to allow airflow for heat transfer with the help of a fan. These pieces can be pulled off by hand, or pried off with a screwdriver if you don't want to preserve the processor. To save the processor, use a thin swab and rubbing alcohol to looses the thermal paste holding the heat sink to the processor or other components. 

Copper Scrapping Points

Some computers use copper for their heat sinks, or a combination of aluminum and copper. This may not be a reliable source for copper until copper takes over as the heatsink material of choice, but there are other sources.

The wires inside computers are made of copper, and there are a few copper modules inside the power supply. The main copper piece inside the power supply is a coil of copper wrapping around a metal core, which can be removed or kept as a whole unit.

Unless you're a trained electrician or can get cheap access to a trained electrician, it's best to leave the power supply intact. A dangerous charge of electricity is stored inside the capacitors, and the amount of time that capacitors hold the electricity depends on the brand.

Each component can be melted down in a crucible, but you may want a set of wire cutters to break down the thicker pieces to fit inside the opening. Contact a melting crucible and metal melting professional to get info on temperatures, casting, and storage options. For more information, contact companies like Malcom G Stevens Inc.