Daily Copper

A little over a month ago, i started a construction job building a day care center near me. I talked to my boss about taking home the scrap on the job. He says sure and actually started helping me find some. Most of the time, its only a few bits of wire here and there now but, at first, i was getting about 100 feet of 12 gauge at a time. I was taking a box of mostly copper home a day. Its down to a box a week and, most of the time, its just returnable cans and bottles but its something. Its almost like a whole nother paycheck. Not to mention my boss is cleaning out his house so i keep getting stereos, speakers, and almost new suitcases to resell.

100 feet of 12 gage wire? What the heck. Something doesn't sound right. I work construction as well an it's down right tough to get any wire even during the demo phase!

Originally Posted by kbob

100 feet of 12 gage wire? What the heck. Something doesn't sound right. I work construction as well an it's down right tough to get any wire even during the demo phase!

I don't think all at once...

Hobo I know how much waste a electrician yields,something doesn't sound right.

Its 100 feet a day. Definitely not all one piece. It actually wasnt all 12 gauge but its what i got the most of. The reason i got so much was because the electrician was in training. Every time he screwed up, his boss would come in and tear out what he did so i was getting a lot. He was only there for about a week too

Could be if they are retrofitting a old building into a new daycare, could be a lot of old wire coming out. If a new site, then some very wasteful electricians at work.

Originally Posted by bigburtchino

Could be if they are retrofitting a old building into a new daycare, could be a lot of old wire coming out. If a new site, then some very wasteful electricians at work.

Very wasteful definitely. I was getting some 5 or 6 foot strands too. I couldnt believe they were throwing that away

Thats some expensive training, yet profitable for you. Its good to hear of people getting steady flow of scrap like this instead of just here and there curb shopping.

Originally Posted by hobo finds

One piece at a time! Wasn't that at TV show?

Actually, it is a quote from a Johnny Cash song. He was bringing out a Cadillac from the plant he worked at "one piece at a time, and it didnt cost me a dime".

Id drive it

Originally Posted by kbob

100 feet of 12 gage wire? What the heck. Something doesn't sound right. I work construction as well an it's down right tough to get any wire even during the demo phase!

I've worked on job that when sparckies are pulling wire they go way over what's needed. I did a job where I pulled 450# of Romex out of dumpster. It's like a big tip!!