Stainless steel washing machine drum weight

After purchasing a new washing machine, users often wonder what to do with the old one. In large cities, there are companies that buy used appliances. This is very convenient—they'll remove and haul away the equipment themselves, freeing owners from this hassle.

Another way to dispose of your appliances is to recycle some of the components and sell some of the parts. Let's figure out how much a stainless steel washing machine drum weighs, for example. Is it worth the trouble of disassembling the appliance?

Price of the drum and other elements of the washing machine

The weight of the components will vary across different washing machine models. The lightest stainless steel drums weigh 2.5-3 kg, the heaviest ones – 5-6 kg. Next, you need to find out the price of stainless steel with nickel alloys at scrap metal collection points in your city. On average, it's $1–$1.30 per kilogram, meaning you can sell the part for $3–$7.

Now let's compare how much buyers are willing to pay for an old washing machine. Of course, it all depends on the model, but if the machine has visible damage or is broken, they'll offer around $5-$10 for the entire machine. That's why many owners are willing to take the time to disassemble the appliance—this can net them two to three times more money.

The specific stainless steel alloy used in your washing machine's drum is crucial. For example, the drums of Indesit machines produced since 2005 contain no more than 4-8% nickel. This is very low, and the price for this metal is approximately $0.20–$0.30 per kilogram. Therefore, a 5 kg unit would cost around $1–$1.50.

In addition to the drum, you can also hand over other heavy washing machine parts to the metal collection point: motor, pulley, etc.

It's also worth considering that many working washing machine parts can be sold. For example, a working motor can fetch around $4-$8, and a drain pump can fetch another $2-$5. Pressure switches, drain and inlet hoses, washing machine doors, and other items are also in demand on classifieds sites. The only thing is, you'll have to wait for a buyer to find the parts for your specific model.

Typically, if you disassemble a car and sell its components piece by piece, you can earn more than what dealers offer. However, consider how much you'll spend on transporting the parts to a scrap yard and whether you have the time to wait for the working parts to be sold—after all, you'll need to store them somewhere.

Giving a second life to your washing machine

Some owners are in no hurry to get rid of their old "home helper." They don't scrap the drum or sell the working motor. Using parts from a washing machine, you can make useful household devices. For example, you can make the following from an old washing machine:

• sharpener;
• grinding device;
• wood lathe;
• feather plucking machine;
• lawn mower;
• grain crusher;
• sanding machine;
• forage cutter;
• concrete mixer;
• generator;
• circular saw;
• decorative items (ottoman with a drum base, lamp, cabinet, table);
• barbecue;
• smokehouse, etc.

For example, you can use the drum of an old washing machine to make a smokehouse. All you need to do is cut a hole in the bottom of the drum for the firebox. Weld some hangers inside the drum for hanging food such as meat and fish. Cover the drum with a lid and place it on the firebox.

The drum from an old washing machine can be used to make a barbecue.

A barbecue grill is a must-have for every home. It only takes a few minutes to make. The perforated walls of the grill are especially convenient, allowing oxygen to enter and promoting active combustion.

You can easily build a convenient stand for this grill. This way, you won't have to bend over while cooking. The stainless steel drum will easily withstand a couple of seasons of heavy use.

Another idea for repurposing a stainless steel washing machine drum is to create furniture. For example, you can make a cute ottoman by attaching wheels to the base and adding a soft seat on top. The sides of the drum can be painted any color.

A table made from a drum is a great solution. If the drum is from a top-loading washing machine, you can create a cabinet with doors and store small items in it. Legs can be screwed to the bottom, and a flat tabletop can be placed on top of the drum.

A working washing machine motor is used in many DIY projects. It can become the "heart" of various devices, such as a lathe. In addition to the motor, you'll need the following:

• flange for fastening a wooden part - it is fixed on the engine shaft;
• hairpins;
• bolts and screws;
• workbench table;
• a device for attaching a wooden part to the workbench on the other side;
• power supply (for controlling the electric motor).

Poultry farmers will find a feather plucking machine useful. Plucking dozens of chickens and ducks at once is no easy task. A homemade device will come to the rescue. To make it, you'll need:

• an old washing machine (ideally one with top loading);
• 50-100 rubber fingers with threads (bils).

You don't even need to disassemble the machine. Attach the beaters inside the drum with the "fingers" facing inward. Simply place the scalded carcass in the container, and the washing machine starts. This automates the plucking process. The washing machine engine should be protected with a casing to prevent water from birds from getting on it.

Another useful tool is a lawn mower. You'll need a four-wheel platform; it can be made of metal, wood, plywood, or even a washing machine frame. The motor is mounted on top of the platform, the shaft is inserted through a hole underneath, and the blade is attached to it.

After that, all that's left to do is attach a handle to the platform. You can also install a lever to turn the device on and off. This lawn mower is perfectly suitable for a small area around the house.

A washing machine drum and motor can be used to make a pet food grinder or an apple crusher. The operating principle of these devices is roughly the same. How do you make these devices?

• The drum is attached to a metal body.
• Knives for chopping animal feed/apples are fixed inside the container.
• A lid is provided on top for pressing.
• The drum and the engine are connected via a drive mechanism.
• The motor is fixed to the body and hidden under the casing.
• A power cord is connected to the motor.

This is just a small list of devices you can make using parts from an old washing machine. So before you sell your old washing machine to a dealer for next to nothing, consider whether you still have any use for it. Users often give the appliance a second life by creating very useful DIY projects.

   

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