Am I right to assume that the metal should be removed from this gold fingered ram?/Users/Gizz/Desktop/IMG_6466.JPG

If you have Gold Fingered Shielded Ram. Removing the shield. As you referred to. The metal. That's an option. There is an Escrap price list category for that. If you decide to remove the metal. Applying heat to soften the glue helps in a big way. But. How about a picture of what you have?
Here to learn like everybody else

Definitely follow the advice on heating. Some adhesive is stronger than the solder of the chips and will remove them, which can lower the value of the RAM. Some have metal clamps to hold the metal, remove those first if so. Then a small propane or butane torch works well, heat a little and use a flathead screwdriver to check if it's loose. Apply more heat as needed until the metal slips off.

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

Thank you for your great advice! I appreciate it. I truly appreciate the help all of you fine folks offer! Hope you're not snowed in the way I am!

Catwhisker, you asked for a pic of what I have. I have a whole bunch of unshielded ram but this is what I have of the shielded stuff. /Users/Gizz/Desktop/IMG_6467.JPG

Not sure what the picture issue is but neither of the things you tried to upload seem to have worked

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

For rivets I use tin snips or a small nail and bolt cutter.
Cut them at 45• to the board and the shield pops off easily

_________________
42 6F 61 72 64 73 6F 72 74 2E 63 6F 6D