Printable View
Hi everyone this is my first post. I found some copper cable, about an inch or so thick, that is sheathed in lead. It weighs about 65 pounds. The yard I took it to only offered 15 cents a pound- said it was contaminated lead. Needless to say, I held on to it. Anyone know what other yards might offer? I'd rather not mess around with the lead, but if I must, what's the safest, easiest way to de-sheathe it? The lead is too thick to cut with a utility blade. Any advice is much appreciated.
you might have the best luck by cutting the outer insulation, then stripping that off to get to the lead sheathe. Use a cold chisel to break through the lead sheathe and peel the inner copper wire from inside of it.
the lead should be worth at least .50/#, and you can either sell the copper wire for around $1.00/#, or around 2.60/# as #2 if you pull the rest of the insulation apart.
How many feet do you have of it? I'm guessing it's about 50-60'? also guessing that about 15% of that weight is lead, 30-50% of that is insulation, and the remainder sweet sweet copper.... YMMV.
I'll let you do your own calculation and labor factor to see if it is worthwhile ;)
I have also encountered some of this type of wire. I only had a 2 foot piece though. Used a grinder with a cutting wheel, cut lengthwise, then pry apart .Use caution with lead, wash your hands immediately after you play with it. I have to disagree with Lousy, that copper is more than likely Barebright, it being like 1 inch thick, unless its stranded like this pic. Mine was thicker than a pencil lead so best price there. But I do agree with the 50 cents for the lead.
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...pse36a8ff8.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0c32fd81.jpg
I know you said a utility knife would work but what i diid a few years ago was score with a blade and than took a dead blow hammer and a metal utility knie and slow worked my way yhrough it. I tried the cut off with a dremal what was worried about lead dust particles and my health. So i took the long way. Maybe i was jist overly causious but i wanna be around when my kids get married. J2C
Perhaps use a wood chisel instead. I have found that some cheap wood chisels are great because I don't mind abusing them. A quick sharpen on my hand grinder and I back to work. Mike
Yep, mine looks a lot like the stuff in the top photo! Sorry I didn't post a pic, kinda made you guys guess what i was talking about.
Thanks for the suggestion. I was worried about lead particles and my kids wedding too :)
I get #2 on my stranded copper... 2.60/# here :)
I just sold 1000lbs last week for $1.20lb