"Bud" wrote in message
oups.com...
I had to replace my 30 years old elec. water heater and need to
dispose of it. The recycling center takes metal scrap for free but
charges for full water heaters.

I'd like to cut up the old water heater into small sections for metal
recycling. My biggest question it what's the main storage tank made
of. Is it steel? If it's glass lined does this cause any problems in
cutting it up?

Does a sawsall work OK or would a cutting torch work better. I'm just
not sure what to expect once I peel off the steel shell.

TIA


Hi Bud,

A really old Hot water heater will be made of copper and copper = $$$$
The newer ones are made from Galvanized steel though ...I've
cut them apart using an angle grinder and a "zip cut" blade (very thin blade
for cutting only) Wear a dust mask and of course safety goggles.Your sawsall
will work with a metal blade...will just be slower is all..... I've split
them in half as they make a great feeding trough for farm animals. (welder
here by trade) The copper ones you want to sell to the scrap yard but shop
around as not all scrap yards will offer you the same price for copper. Jim