Plug Ends

So I have been saving plug ends for a long time, debating if I ever was going to actually ever pull the brass ends out. I tried once awhile ago and had trouble pulling the prongs out and kind of just gave up. I kept saving, and looking at my pile and debated whether pull or throw in shred. The pile kept growing. Well, I had an extra half hour the other day and decided to make an effort and do. I am glad I did. Once I figured out how to do, it was relatively easy. To my surprise, it did not take too long to get some weight added to my brass. Most of the prongs came out with some bare bright also, which grew to a nice little pile. So now, for the past few nights I have gone into the garage and knocked out a few more, although I have a lot to get through. I did learn a lesson though:Wear eye protection. Had a piece snap off and hit me just below my lip. I wear gogles now. Anyway, not earth shattering news but just thought I would share.

I'll do the male ends (with the prongs showing) but the female's are just not worth it. I take those and the ends off power supplies and sell to my yard as copper bearing at about .15 a lb.

I just use a bigger pair of pliers to hold them comfortably and a pair of side cuts (wire cutters) to pull them using leverage.

** Leverage consists of grabbing the prong with the side cuts and just roll it sideways, using the leverage to slide the prong right out. (sometimes with wire)

Good to know- I have a growing pile to process- was not looking forward to doing it. Now I'll have to give it a go.

I put them in a vice and use vice grips or slip joint pliars. I grab as close to the plug as I can, then bend the prong down, and use the curved of the pliars end against the vise side to get as much vertical force to pull it out. takes about 30 seconds per plug.

I bought a small vice and mounted it to a 1x8 scrap. I clamp it to a coffee table when I want to work on these during a movie.

I collected the ends for the first six months or so when I started. Decided I wasn't interested in pulling the brass and brought them in to yard in a bucket. I went to the small scale to ask if I could get any more than shred for them and the guy said no but pointed out that I could just leave them on the cords with no deduction. It's worth asking your yard about stuff like this, I had been clipping the transformer piece of a/c adapters too. Shred price or .30/lb versus .80/lb, it's a no brainer for me. My wire weight adds up a lot faster this way too!

By me you used to be able to sell them on the cords, I would just pull the brass and the rest would go as #2 ins. Now they want ends cut off so I still pull the brass and then cut the ends and they go as copper content here for $.10 - $.11 per lb. The transformer plugs get cut off and plastic removed then they can go in with the elect motors here.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...gejpg1-122.jpg

#1 Grab the plug with a pair of slip joint pliers.
http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...psziqa0xfc.jpg

#2 Ready to pull prong with side cuts.
http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1sydrqlw.jpg

#3 Roll the side cuts down over the rubber conn. for leverage and it pops right out.
http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...pslhpn88st.jpg

Wasn't there another thread on this subject, where it was suggested to stick them a freezer for a little bit? Or am I thinking of something else?

Gah!

Sirscrapalot - You can lead a man to Congress, but you can't make him think. - Milton Berle

Degaussing cable goes in freezer. Plug ends can be put in hot water for a few minutes then pull the ends. Hot water will soften the ends just enough so pulling the brass out is easier.

I've never had to freeze degaussing cable. Usually brittle as hell when I pull them out. Purty easy to strip!

I forgot about the boiling trick. Good post BC, thanks for pointing that out with the water.

Sirscrapalot - I'm out. - The people from that show Shark Tank.

A little trick I learned on the male plugs, leave a inch or two of wire on, when you cut your cords. Then when you pull your brass out of the plug you will get some #2 copper too! Makes it a little more worth your time to mess with these cord ends, as it all adds up and copper still one of your best returns.

I cut the degaussing cable by the connector and then I clamp my degussing cable between two boards in my vise and run my razor along the board. Saves my fingers and is a bit faster than trying to strip others way in what i have found. As for plug ends i try to match the same style plugs together and clamp in vise and take vise grip or channel locks and pull out using the vise as leverage.

i dont know how it is in the US etc but here we gt many plugs with the pins made of COPPER
yes, solid copper
esp the ones that r silver in colour

i take a hacksaw blade & scrape the pins to check if its brass or copper.

This older fella I know that works at the scrap yard cuts all the dryer and stove cords and strips them at home.... he pulls the brass out of the plugs too... he has a electric frying pan and fills it half full of water and puts the plugs in... lets it heat up and then pulls the prongs out.... could do basicly the same thing for free in the summer.... leave the plugs out in the sun on a hot day and the plastic will get soft.

I let the hot summer sun heat my cord ends for free, but then I need a six pack to cool me down. So not sure if I'm gaining any, but I do feel better after finishing a cold six pack on those hot summer days!

So the yard changed things up again! Plug ends and Christmas light bulbs cut off are no longer copper content... bummer that was good while it lasted. Prices were up to $.15 a pound so I stopped breaking down the transformer plugs as well as it was the same price for electric motors and I did not have to smash them open to get motor price! Now back as shred item, as they only pay sheet iron price for them.

Plug ends I do still twist off the brass prongs, and save the gold connectors but it looks like I will start breaking down the wall warts again...

The last two times I have taken a load of cased wire to the scrapyard I have asked if I could trim the ends off the wire and get a better price. Both times I have been told no, so now I take all types of wire with transformers and plugs included as cased wire. I think the last load was over 200 lbs at $.75 per pound!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tckelley71

at $.75 per pound!

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Correction, after looking at the receipt I was paid $0.30 per pound for wire in casing. I guess I over estimated :)

The yard around here won't take wires with bricks still attached.
$0.28 /lb last I took wire in.