Why, Oh Why Do They Cut The Cord?

[rohmell]

I recently found three wet/dry vacuums, in different locations, and all were complete, except the power cord was cut off.

A Ridgid, a Craftsman, and a Stanley.

Do these people think that by cutting the cord off, they disable the vacuum from operating ever again?

If these people are handy enough that they think that they might need the power cord for another repair or project, then they should have been handy enough to repair the discarded vacuum in the first place.

I replaced the power cords, and they all worked!

So, why cut off the cord?

 

[tolivac]

COPPERJACKERS-----Those folks that cut cords off of machines left on the curb.They somehow think the copper in them is REALLY valueable.Copperjackers also raid abandoned homes and buildings-they rip out the cables and copper plumbing.And even steal HVAC units.Some copperjackers meet another fate --electrocution from trying to take cables from energized power systems!

 

[dysonman1]

I've thrown away THOUSANDS of traded in vacuums during my 22 years in the vacuum repair business. We always cut off the cord. At first, it was to keep people from taking them out of the trash can, and bringing it back into the store to have us repair it. No! Then, we learned about recycling the cords for money.....

Even today, whenever I throw away a vacuum, I always cut off the cord.

 

[vacerator]

Who cut the cord on the Iron?--- copper scrappers

My sister did once when my parents were on vacation. Then she asked me to attach it to her curling iron.
When my mom asked who cut the cord, my sister blamed me.
Don't copper scrappers also want the motors for the copper windings? Seems they miss out by leaving then in the dumpsters.

 

[myles_v]

I used to know someone who worked for a construction company. When he had to inspect a construction site, if he found electrical items with damaged cords then he had to cut them off. That way the cord had to be replaced with a new one, and they couldn't continue using the cord that would be a possible safety hazard.

 

[tolivac]

At the vac place I visit every week they cut the cord from vacuums they are throwing out-the cords esp if in good condition-are used on other vacuums that need a cord and the customer doesn't want to pay for a new one.Yes-when I worked at the tool repair place-worked on many tools where the safety officer cut the cord to prevent use-not only a defective cords-but some other problem in the tool.Often a bad switch.In the tool repair we always used a new cord on a machine.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Sometimes, the cut them for the inside copper.

Other times,  like removing a refrigerator door, they remove them for safety... on people's curbs.


  I was given a pristine model 28 (Hoover)(, w/ a cut cord.  A shame.  Luckily,  a friend had another one to replace.  Runs like a charm.

 

[rohmell]

If Scrappers Want

The copper from the power cord, why not the copper from the motor windings as well?

I replaced the power cord on three of the wet/dry vacs that I had found, and they all work perfectly, so why throw 'em away in the first place?

You could probably get more for 'em at a garage sale or selling on Craigslist.

I feel sorry for those BABs who gotta cut cords for a few cents gain from the copper.

 

[man114]

I cut them off when I toss a vac in case I get a vac that has a damaged cord.

 

[rohmell]

Another one!

So... This time I found a ShopVac, this time only the plug was cut off. New plug, works fine.
Again, WHY? This unit has/had a molded plug, its of no use by itself, why cut it off?
To disable the vac from ever being used again? FEH!
Not a victim of copper theft, the cord was still there.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

It could also be.......

that some people are just plain. nasty, mean, thoughtless  people.  Or not......  We just must rise above it all.

 

[real1shep]

My guess on the windings it that it's too much work to strip out the windings. Here the recycler takes your copper and there's like a three-day wait to see if someone reported a copper theft to the police(this is just to cover the recycler's butt). And they won't just take a cord or Romex....you have to strip the copper out of the wiring.  I had some leftover 1" type K copper rolls from a plumbing job I had done decades ago. I just kept lugging them around from move to move, so I decided to take them to the recycler.....wasn't much they could say other than I had to wait for my money. Like taking a gold ingot to a jeweler that dabbles in such thing....it's in the purist form.   I don't think I even got what I initially paid for the copper....I'm sure the recycler came out very well.


 


Kevin