Trash or Refurbish? How We Brought a R50,000 Braai Back to Life
Some projects start with a simple question: Do we restore this old girl… or do we trash it?
This braai had seen better days. Rust, grime, weather damage — the kind of wear that makes most people think it belongs at the scrapyard. But instead of throwing it out, we saw potential. A braai is more than just metal and wood — it’s the heart of gatherings, the centrepiece that brings people together. And that was reason enough to save it.
Step 1: Stripping It Back to Life
We kicked things off with the RustOff laser machine, tackling years of stubborn rust and grime. The beauty of this unit is its ability to handle intricate patterns and tight spaces. Every angle, every nook, every cranny — nothing was left untouched.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching layers of corrosion disappear, revealing clean metal underneath. We had an absolute blast taking this machine apart piece by piece and restoring its surfaces properly.
Step 2: Precision with the CNC Router
Then came my personal favourite — the CNC router.
We jumped onto the big ATC (Automatic Tool Changer), and it made light work of the job. Profiling and cutting at speeds of up to 15 meters per minute, the machine handled everything effortlessly. In fact, we deliberately ran it at half the speed just so you could actually see what was happening before it was done. Even then, the cutting process took just 12 minutes.
Any application we throw at this router, it simply performs. It’s powerful, precise, and incredibly efficient — exactly what you want when refurbishing something that needs to fit back together perfectly.
Step 3: Finishing Touches
With the heavy lifting done, it was time to bring it all together.
We started with primer to protect the metal, followed by a durable outdoor spray finish to ensure this braai will stand strong for at least another 10 years. The wooden components were varnished lightly, ready for the customer to apply their final colour of choice.
Then came the moment of truth — fitment.
Everything aligned perfectly. Thanks to the precision of the machines, reassembly was smooth and satisfying. No forcing parts. No awkward gaps. Just clean, professional results.
The Big Surprise: Was It Worth It?
Here’s where things got interesting.
A braai like this starts at around R50,000 brand new. This one was literally on its way to being thrown out.
Our refurbishment cost?
About R1,400 — mostly time and materials.
That’s a massive difference.
If you owned the right equipment and focused purely on flipping braais like this, you could easily be looking at a R100,000-per-month opportunity doing around 10 units. That’s the kind of business model that makes you think twice before calling something “trash.”
The Verdict
Trash or refurbish?
We chose refurbish — and the results speak for themselves. What was once rusted and forgotten now looks fantastic, sturdy, and ready for many more years of bringing people together around the fire.
At AM.CO.ZA, that’s what we’re about.
We sell machines for you.
We fix machines for you.
And we teach machines for you.
If you enjoyed this restoration and want to see more “Fix It or Trash It” projects, leave a comment, drop a thumbs up, and share it. Who knows what we’ll bring back to life next?
In a time where AI and smart technologies are transforming industries, AM.CO.ZA has emerged as a leader in CNC routers and printing machines. With more than 11 years of experience, they offer a diverse range of advanced products, including CNC Routers, Large Format Printers, Vinyl Cutters, Laser Cutters, Plasma Cutters, and DTF Printers. Their solutions serve a wide array of sectors, from manufacturing and engineering to the creative arts.
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