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well I came into a bunch of computer power cables I have cut the ends off and I am debating on what to do with the cables do I strip it or take it to the yard the way it is? Thanks in advance
btw I have them in a 37 gallon tub and I struggle to put the lid on
What is your time worth to YOU? Do you feel that stripping the wires is worth it to you? Fully strip one cable and time yourself and find how much the copper is worth, then divide the money by the hours to find how much you are making an hour. IMO, I sell them whole because there is more insulation than you might expect. Its too much work for me to have to strip a cable 4 times to get 1/2 a pound of copper. The decision is up to you.
If you are talking about the cable that goes from wall socket to the PC's PSU, I cut the ends off. The 3 pronged ends are brass, I cut them off. The other end (thats goes to the PC) I throw in shred, too much effort to get the brass out, imo.
The left over 3 wire cable, I strip, cos I like shiny copper and I have the time and machine to do it.
btw, lots of info about wire stripping, if you use the Forum "Search" function.:D
thanks for the advice I think I will probably set a milk crate to the side for a rainy day It seems like I am going to have stuff like this pretty often. What does your yard pay for something like this?
newby, what do you use to strip the cables? I have a machine that hooks up to a drill but still find it cumbersome
I use this one:
Patented Manual Wire Cable Stripper Stripping Machine Tool Scrap Copper | eBay
btw, I am not affiliated in any way, with the makers, just a happy customer :)
I usually hold onto these and don't scrap them. I've seen them go for up to $5 new in bag or $3 used on Craigslist. I wouldn't be cutting them up.
I will keep that in mind next time I get a bunch thanks
I have the same one and love it, except when i got it 2 years ago it cost me $99 :(Quote:
Originally Posted by NewbyScrapper
#1 insulated $1.80 lb...cant be bothered to strip it. I am saving all my cord ends until I can find a better-than-shred price, or find a means to remove the brass easier. I wonder if i put big pot of water over my campfire out back and boil the ends if they will come apart. Cant hurt trying and it wont burn the plastic off into the stratosphere lol.
thats good to know thanks shendog I think i am getting beat by my local yard on #1 insulated
You may be getting beat, but remember that every yard is different. Geographical location doesnt seem to matter, from Pittsburgh to Atlanta, there is no real way to gauge how pricing is done. For example, there are 3 yards near me that pay $6, $8 and $12 for the same car battery. It does help you to question their prices, though. On more than 1 occasion I brought a variety of items in and asked what their pricing was. If I thought it was too low I took that item out of the pile and said I can do better elsewhere (in a nice way). Usually they ask what i can get elsewhere and most of the time will match that price. Makes me feel good about getting the most for my money and I dont have to drive around to other yards or take it home to store for another day. It also doesnt hurt to bring in volume, or call ahead to check prices as they can fluctuate daily.Quote:
Originally Posted by npegger
I appreciate the advice just newbie here
I just sold 60 6ft computer power cables on ebay for like $51 oplus $23 shipping. The ones I had weighed about .5 pounds so my yard only pays like $.90 a pound for them so about $.45 each I sold them after fees for about $.76 each. Thats better than scrapping them and alot quicker than stripping them.
PTS what sort of charm bracelet do you wear? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by PartTimeScrapper
Many months ago, I tried to sell 45 of those 6 footers, black, gray and white ones. After 3 attempts with no takers, I did as mentioned further up this thread. btw, all these were brand new, wire tied and sealed in individual plastic bags.
Maybe should have tried some "horsetrading" with a computer shop/repair for some of their junk. Never know,,,Quote:
Originally Posted by NewbyScrapper
Yep, i barely scrap any cables anymore unless they don't work. Even $0.50 for a SATA cable is something like $10 a pound. Also, many yards will buy your cables without ends cut off if you deal in higher weights. Of course, as others have said above, it all comes down to how much you value your time.Quote:
Originally Posted by PartTimeScrapper
This is my opinion so take it for what it's worth. First of all I don't cut the plug that goes in the wall (to much trouble getting the brass out) I do cut the plug that goes in the computer, those are gold conectors and sell for 2.00# or more to buyers on this forum. The cord it self I sell to my scrap yard as #2 insulated for 1.15#.
I think you'll find that the female end is still brass because it plugs into brass in the power supply. (brass into brass and gold into gold)Quote:
First of all I don't cut the plug that goes in the wall (to much trouble getting the brass out) I do cut the plug that goes in the computer, those are gold conectors and sell for 2.00# or more to buyers on this forum. The cord it self I sell to my scrap yard as #2 insulated for 1.15#.
Thanks for the tip Mech. Now, one would think, living 50 miles North of Silicon Valley, that there would be a fair to large number of those places in my area. Sadly, nope ;(Quote:
Originally Posted by Mechanic688
Actually, before the demise of one repair shop locally, I did try the "horsetrading" approach and the owner said he would sell ME as many as I wanted. >:l
Cheers for the input though :)
well I took in 61 pounds this morning and was paid .60 per pound any thoughts?
Shop for a new yard that pays more. In fact you may want to check with one of our member/buyers. High Voltage Processing is in your area of the country but I don't know how close. His listed web site is not working but you can pm him through the forum. Mike.Quote:
Originally Posted by npegger
I think you need to find another yard. #1 insulated should bring about 3x that much if you cut off the ends. #2 insulated around $1 lb. Even if your area is 25% lower than mine, you still should be twice that number for #1Quote:
Originally Posted by npegger
I think you'll find Silicon Valley was mostly chip makers/designers, not computers, those were made or assembled elsewhereQuote:
Originally Posted by NewbyScrapper
#2 insulated should be closer to a dollar a pound. I'd find another yard.
Did you happen to take your wire to AAA Metal Scrap in the Strip District. I took some computer wire down there a couple of weeks ago, and that is what they paid me. Off topic, but FYI, AAA is the only place i've found in western PA that will buy low-grade circuit boards.Quote:
Originally Posted by npegger
I did and I like the guys at AAA always friendly always helpful since this is more of a hobby and a way of cleaning up for me I do not always need to squeeze the most out of a load. What was the rate they gave you on low grade boards?
They were paying .10/lb for the low-grade. Not fantastic, but the best I could get without driving a great deal further away from home.