Cutting off the cords - Do YOU??

[Charles (in GA)]

How many people cut the cords off of appliances and devices when they are getting ready to trash and junk them?

I don't save every cord, but if it is in good shape, possibly has a right angle plug on it, or is heavier (16 gauge), I clip them off the old microwave, fridge, or whatever I'm trashing.

These cords have come in quite handy for me from time to time, so several different ones in a junk box are the norm for me.

Charles

 

[ihatelaramie]

I've been known to cut off a cord every now and then, but honestly, none have come in handy as of late..mostly because I can't find the box that I keep them in.
But yea, I think it ain't a bad idea, but maybe that's just cause I'm a packrat.

 

[Super Sport]

I do. If for nothing else I throw them in the scrap pile. I'm often tempted to tear apart said piece of garbage to find other useful or scrap-able pieces.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

I do that all the time, those cords come in handy

 

[Alchymist]

Everything gets the cords removed. If it's likely I'll reuse one, I'll box it, otherwise it goes into a barrel for scrap copper. Take apart most everything- save nuts, bolts, screws, etc. Love to get my hands on junk printers - lots of good stuff in them!

 

[ishiboo]

My friend's a scrapper, so I have a bin of all my old wiring to give him. If I remember, the cord gets cut and thrown in the bin.

 

[jkwilson]

I have a box full of them. Also have three or four yard sale finds (humidifier, clamp light and fan among others) that are running on cords I cut off of something on its way to the scrapyard.

 

[HOTFR8]

If something is unsafe to use and broken it is a good idea to cut off the lead before you throw it out as it may save someone trying it and getting electrocuted. I have made a few short extension cords over the years that have been very handy.

 

[slip knot]

I keep all my old cords. I use them at work to power up field instruments in the lab to test run/calibrate them. nice being able to plug a device and test indoors versus out in the field. Really torques off the safety guy too. He doesn't like having the loose cords laying around where " someone could plug one in and get shocked"

 

[LG63]

Sadly yes I do. I recently consolidated my collection of PC and monitor cords. I probably have 20-30 and might have used 2 in the last 30 years. Too bad they are only 18 ga. Microwave cords used to be 14 ga.

 

[Modifieddriver]

Cut them off all the time for future use.

 

[buzz4041]

Guilty here

 

[marty_p]

Everything gets the cords removed. If it's likely I'll reuse one, I'll box it, otherwise it goes into a barrel for scrap copper!

I see I'm not alone then!

 

[1/2 Cup]

My dad repaired appliances for living and cut the cords on every thing that went to scrap, the only trouble being the cords did not get scrapped as well and he ended up with a pile of cords you could not jump over. The irony of it all being that if he had an issue with a cord he would always fit a new one for safety sake......

 

[spotco2]

I cut cords off everything so that someone else can not plug it in and get hurt or create a fire hazard. Normally anything that has a cord that gets tossed is complete trash anyways.

I do keep the cords. Good, heavy cords get stored and the light weight ones get tossed in the scrap bin unless I am completely out of them. I like to keep a couple laying around but have no need to keep 50 of them.

 

[Norcal]

The cords on ChiCom products are of little value except scrap because of cheap insulation, I have a drum for scrap insulated wire & thats where they go.

 

[rvr6000]

Those clipped cords have saved me a few times.....usually after cutting the original cord with the skill saw or something. I have a nice little one, maybe 4 feet long, that I added the female end to that I use for starting the snow blower (since the pull cord snapped off on me). Works good and nice not having to unwind 50 feet or more of cord.

 

[nuttynil]

Guilty I'm such a hoarder .

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

Yup,I keep them as long as they are a heavy gauge. I also grab nuts bolts and odd pieces of hardware that I think might come in handy someday. I also save casters because I always find uses for them...

 

[venturesomerite]

Yep, I just cut the cord off a drop light that served me well for 15+ years and 10,000 bulbs.

Heavier gauge ones are especially worth saving for things like say a circ saw that the cord is subject to alot of abuse, and it's nice when you can make them a little longer, like rigid does from the factory.


I scap usually once a month or so, so when appliances die, I take them apart and sort the metals, so I can get the most money I can for them.

 

[skulldrinker]

I've even passed by washers on garbage day and backed up to cut the cords off. I can see someone who is not electrically inclined not doing this.

 

[Alchymist]

I've even passed by washers on garbage day and backed up to cut the cords off. I can see someone who is not electrically inclined not doing this.

WHAT?! You grabbed the cord and not the washer? Sacrilege!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Yes, for scrap.
Half of the fun is taking the broken item apart

 

[marty_p]

WHAT?! You grabbed the cord and not the washer? Sacrilege!

I'm always on the lookout for scrap copper -- so much so that I keep a pair of those free HF scissors in my console at all times.

And Alchymist is right about the entire washer; there's at least as much copper inside as outside, as well as one big motor. The best is finding a stray vacuum cleaner, carpet shampooer, or window A/C to $****. I'll load up an entire item whenever I can, strip it for valuables at home, then recycle the carcass. And I'm cautious and avoid all capacitors and magnetrons...

 

[Charles (in GA)]

While I do my small part in recycling, I rinse out and crush aluminum cans (and get real pissed at work when someone throws a drink can in the trash right next to the aluminum recycle container!) I won't bother with cords.

Its difficult enough to strip insulation off of solid 14 and 12 gauge wire, but cords, I won't bother with. I do have 5 gal buckets in the shop for small pieces or scrap steel and aluminum and copper/bronze, and I do throw old auto parts, scrap pieces of conduit and electrical box knockouts and such in the cans, but spending time stripping wire is not my cup of tea, especially since its only a few and the gain is miniscule.

I just find the cords useful for testing electrical items before installation, and for the occasional replacement for a battery charger or similar item. I especially like right angle plugs, come in handy.

I also cut the cords for the reason HOTFR8 suggested, to prevent someone else from being harmed by a defective piece of equipment.

Charles

 

[Steevo]

I used to.
When I moved last year, I threw out boxes of old PC power cords, lamp cords, appliance cords, etc. because it was wasting so much space. I kept a few 240v appliance cords and a few heavy duty 120v washing machine cords.
I've decided to become an organized and inventory aware hoarder.

 

[Kevin54]

I've never really thought about doing it, but now that you mentioned it, I may have to start.

 

[kbs2244]

All the time.
I even stop at the curb for vacum cleaner cords.
Long and flexable.
I have a lot of box fans that now have old cleaner cords on them.

 

[zeeke]

Guilty, cut them off all the time for future use.

 

[D.J.]

We I'm glad to see I'm not the only sick one on the forum, I too take everything apart, I even took apart the water heater I replaced last month. Also in the process of recycling parts out of the 1988 Mazda MX-6 in the backyard.

 

[Socophreak]

I take the most expensive. 3Ph, split-phase 240, Twist lock, etc. All for backup/testing/possible interim replacement. Most people would much rather spend $400 on replacing a cord/receptacle than not be able to run their business.