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Can anyone one help me with the grade of this board? I think its high grade telecom but not totally sure and do I need to remove the SFP cages? I tried removing the cages on a few smaller boards but it take the connectors with them. Thanks!

I'm not the best to be commenting but..., I've always understood it that if it's steel and can be removed with fair amount of ease, then it should be removed.
but
I'd want to know from someone more knowledgeable on this one because if I can stop doing that to some of the boards, I'd be really pleased!!!

Are they steel? If so, definitely try to get as much off as you can, unfortunately I'm not familiar with these so I'm not sure the best way to go about that.

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Here to learn more so I can recycle more
My grades are my own opinion and not an official grade from Boardsort

How about a side view looking right into the ports.
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I’m not sure it would by telco because it looks like a copper based board. I personally would leave the metal on and submit as high peripheral. I will add though, I get everything free so I am more concerned with saving some time when the payout is not significantly affected.

What are referring to as copper based board? All circuit boards to my knowledge are copper based. See picture of basic electronic circuit board construction. I am thinking your referring to any gold plating that might be showing like gold pads or some other contact areas. Gold plating does help the grade. So. Much so. A board can go into the Gold Edge category.
I think you have a good case for High Telecom by removing the better portion of the metal. Using the point of a small diagonal side cutter. Cut near the base of the cage. Not tearing into the board itself. You will end up with a small amount of metal still attached to the board. I've done simliar. Wear gloves. I don't think it will take too much time. But. Only you know.
Here to learn like everybody else.
My evaluations are my own opinion.

Do be mindful there is a difference in the through holes having gold and the board being gold edge. Lost I believe said there's a noticeable weight difference in gold edge boards.

_________________
Here to learn more so I can recycle more
My grades are my own opinion and not an official grade from Boardsort

My bad. I should have included the fact that a board that qualifies for Gold Edge Category. Simply just doesn't have gold around it's edge or other gold traces. But. Has substantial weight due to gold. I tried submitting some boards as Gold Edge. Chris straightened me out on the issue. Gold Edge boards are in a class by themselves due to the special function they provide in electronic equipment. They are not your board that just so happens to have some plated gold around the perimeter etc.
It would be great to have a list of typical equipment Gold Edge Category boards come from. My guess would be high traffic. High power. Telecommunication systems.
Here to learn like everybody else.
My evaluations are my own opinion