The old carbon cells. If you pull them apart, the
zinc can comes apart fairly easily with diagonal
side cutting pliers. The carbon rod is good for
writing on sidewalks. And the manganese dioxide
will make your Mom yell at you about the mess
(this, I know...)

Never been urged to saw open an alkaline cell. I'm
sure you are right.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Terry" wrote in message
...

Many alkaline cells have a very different
construction from the older plain-vanilla
(Leclance) cells. The
Leclance cell has a carbon rod in the middle, a
zinc can, and
manganese dioxide plus ammonium chloride in
between. Many alkaline
cells use a can pressed from carbon and whatnot, a
zinc rod in the
middle, and an alkaline mixture containing fine
zinc between. Dropping
an alkaline cell might fracture that outside can,
leading to leakage.

Please wear good rubber gloves and proper eye
protection before
attempting to saw open an alkaline cell. The KOH
in those cells is
nothing to snicker at.

Best -- Terry