Anyone melt down copper pipes?

[easyrider123]

Howdy,

I just replaced all the copper water pipes in my house with PVC and I'm curious if there is anyone on here that would be interested in melting these down to cast their own bullets.

Will probably hold on to it for a couple weeks before I just recycle it.

[Dirtlaw]

I'm not positive, but I believe the value of the copper in pennies is worth more than the face value of the penny. Copper definitely has value.

[baih777]

Howdy,

I just replaced all the copper water pipes in my house with PVC and I'm curious if there is anyone on here that would be interested in melting these down to cast their own bullets.

Will probably hold on to it for a couple weeks before I just recycle it.

Why did you do that ?
Are you talking white PVC or did you mean pex tubing ?

[Dirtlaw]

Why did you do that ?
Are you talking white PVC or did you mean pex tubing ?

Copper pipes last around 50 years. After that you have serious problems and likely they need to be replaced. Big problem if the pipes run through a slab of cement.

[Kyle1886]

Good luck Easyrider. I'm afraid I will be in the same position. My copper is shot and can't really use pex. We are not on a slab and rodents are having a field day with those that used pex exposed underneath.

PVC sounds good to me, but not a plumber.

Kyle

[Dirtlaw]

Good luck Easyrider. I'm afraid I will be in the same position. My copper is shot and can't really use pex. We are not on a slab and rodents are having a field day with those that used pex exposed underneath.

PVC sounds good to me, but not a plumber.

Kyle

An eventual re-pipe is probably part of ownership. Few things last forever.

[baih777]

i was always told not to use white PVC under constant pressure.
***** Got me curious. So i did some research. And yes you can use PVC. Or CPVC.
But. Building codes may not allow the use of PVC inside.
But over time PVC gets hard. I dont think it will last as long copper. But copper is pricey now.

[Kyle1886]

An eventual re-pipe is probably part of ownership. Few things last forever.

Yeah, I think there are more 'sharkbite' fittings than there is copper piping at this juncture.

Respectfully
Kyle

[Romulan]

I'm not positive, but I believe the value of the copper in pennies is worth more than the face value of the penny. Copper definitely has value.

A penny is not made of copper. It's made of Zinc 97%.

[Romulan]

Howdy,

I just replaced all the copper water pipes in my house with PVC and I'm curious if there is anyone on here that would be interested in melting these down to cast their own bullets.

Will probably hold on to it for a couple weeks before I just recycle it.

You made a Huge mistake. I 'm a plumber and copper pipes can last 80 to 100 years. It's only galvanized steel pipes that last 25 years or less that needs to be replaced.

Pex tubing is good for 30 plus years. the weakest link ate the joint connections.

[Trapper]

Casting copper bullets isn’t practical for several reasons, the most significant is the 2000 degree melting temp as opposed to lead which melts a little above 600 degrees

[DolphinFan]

I would never replace copper with PEX or other plastic except maybe in places that freeze.
To replace copper is easy and will last longer than any other material.
I regularly have to patch pin hole leaks. It?s part of the maintenance, and shows that the last installer used too much flux.
And YES, either recycle or melt into 1,5 &10oz slugs, bars.
Copper is $3.75 a lb.

[easyrider123]

Why did you do that ?
Are you talking white PVC or did you mean pex tubing ?

Yes, it's mostly Pex tubing, thanks.

[easyrider123]

You made a Huge mistake. I 'm a plumber and copper pipes can last 80 to 100 years. It's only galvanized steel pipes that last 25 years or less that needs to be replaced.

Pex tubing is good for 30 plus years. the weakest link ate the joint connections.

I misspoke, it's mostly Pex tubing.
Our copper pipes are from the late 70's and we've had about 7 pinhole leaks in the last 3 years. Every time I notice the leak, it's probably been going for at least 12 hours. So, ceiling drywall is destroyed, doorway moldings are destroyed, some flooring texture is all dry and coarse.

The bright side about the new system is we used much more direct angles so the water is getting to the shower from the heater faster, and it's not losing as much temperate from the cold copper on it's way there - resulting with water temperature rising very quickly and not wasting it waiting for it to warm.

[easyrider123]

I would never replace copper with PEX or other plastic except maybe in places that freeze.
To replace copper is easy and will last longer than any other material.
I regularly have to patch pin hole leaks. It?s part of the maintenance, and shows that the last installer used too much flux.
And YES, either recycle or melt into 1,5 &10oz slugs, bars.
Copper is $3.75 a lb.

Thanks.

I've been patching pin hole leaks the last couple years, but I always discover them after damage has already been done. My Office ceiling is totally destroyed right now, I just redid the doorway molding, I have a spot on the wood floor that's dry and coarse instead of a sealed smooth finish.

I would definitely be interested in getting some bullion bars if anyone can melt it down. I imagine some 12g slugs would be LETHAL.