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Transformers and motors. What would you do?

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    carolinajunkman started this thread.
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    Transformers and motors. What would you do?

    I've got approximately 400lbs of motors and transformers. I've slowly toyed with breaking them down. I think I'm giving up and selling as is. No trans bigger than what in a microwave. No motor bigger than a ceiling fan.
    What would you do?



  2. #2
    MattInTheHat's Avatar
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    motors from window fans or the stand up fans that move back and forth are usually easy to do
    Currently looking for a job in or related to scrap/recycling. Relocation is possible for the right offer.

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    Since I only get .10 cents a pound for both I would break them down, but that's just my opinion. You're going to get different opinions on this because some people have bigger fish to fry and will tell you to sell. They deal in such big volumes of scrap that 400 pounds to them is nothing. I understand this. I've taken a lot motors and transformers apart and it becomes easy after you figure them out. Many varieties and each is like a puzzle. I had been saving some transformers because I had a lot of other scrap to process but this morning I went out and worked for about 2 hours on them and got about 30 dollars of #2 copper. I'm perfectly content with that.

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    Sell them as and be done! Easy money!!!!! $.25 a pound here

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    it all depends how much time you've got / how quickly you want the money

    you'll def make more by breaking them down
    Last edited by Bear; 03-03-2014 at 10:13 AM.

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    Motors by me are $.18 and transformers are $.38. For me sell as is and move on to something more profitable. Obviously like jimicrk said each of us will have a different view.

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    Transformers I sell whole but some motors like the ceiling fan I brake down for the copper. I get .34# for motors and transformers mixed (cbm).

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    I get .25 # for cbm so the majority I sell as is. If its a large motor or transformer then I would get the copper. Since you are getting .10 it is probably worth it to break them down for the copper. Have you tried looking around for a better price or ask your yatd if they would pay more if you had a certain weight. .10 is low in my opinion.
    I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” John Wayne-- The Shootist

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    carolinajunkman started this thread.
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    I should have said, I get $.25....except for computer fans. They only go for shred.

    I think they're going to sit for now. If work gets slow, or too many rainy days, I will have something to do.

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    Sorry just reread the post....it was jimicrk that gets .10 #

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    Heres my opinion... Break down the copper motors and sell any Alum wound whole. As for transformers, Break down the "E and I" ones and sell the sealed ones unless they are larger and can easily remove the copper. Thats how I roll, but whatever is easiest for you

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    Most my CBM goen in whole for about .30# .
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    "Give them enough so they can do something with it, but not too much that they won't do nothing."

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    I was getting .30 a pound for motors the first part of 2013 and the same for fans and transformers. .10 a pound sucks but there are only a few yards around here.

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    Time to find a new yard further out, an save them up till your happy with the weight and pay out. Just me tho. For .10lb I'd be breaking them down, but like others, I get between .25 to .35lb for my CBMs.

    400lbs worth would have me looking further out. I can only imagine what their paying you on everything else if only .10lb for cbm..

    Ah well, gotta do what you gotta do I reckon.

    Sirscrapalot - A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water. - Carl Reiner

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    carolinajunkman started this thread.
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    I sold them today. I broke one of the easier one down, and it took longer than I liked. I was expecting $.25 because that's what I always get. Today though they gave me .30.....classified whole load as transformers instead of motors. 331lbs. Move on. Thanks for the opinions guys.

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    Owl metals in Baltimore only paid me 8 cents a pound for cbm and they tout as the highest payer non ferrous in the area.

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    Quote Originally Posted by blacksteel View Post
    Owl metals in Baltimore only paid me 8 cents a pound for cbm and they tout as the highest payer non ferrous in the area.
    if they truely are the highest paying in the area, that leaves a lot of room for someone to open a yard that pays a fair price


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