class 2 Teansformers

what is the best way ro scrap those small transformers I have about 100# of then, and time is not really a factor with me, money is. has any one tried to use torch ti melt the copper nd what is your tesponce from the scrap yard on melted copper.
THX

I throw small transformers in with my small motors and get 20 some cents per pound for them. I have never taken the time to seperate the copper.

sorry for my ignorance, but are these small transformers the same as compressors....like in fridges ?

Originally Posted by parrothead

I throw small transformers in with my small motors and get 20 some cents per pound for them. I have never taken the time to seperate the copper.

Are we talking about the ones the size of an egg and smaller like in computer power supplies and black box ones that convert to DC? I just came accross quite a few this weekend and was wondering what bucket to throw them in. Seems I read somewhere that the whole power supply might be able to be turned in some places. I was pretty excited about the huge bundle of wires on them but after cutting and seeing silver I'm guessing it might be aluminum.

oh, those things, didn't someone just talk on another feed about there being enough copper in there to be worth harvesting.

Yeah they are worth harvesting. I dont get the wire. I just sell em for motor weigh .25 lb . But ive heard with a small mini grinder you can get the metal sleeve off and unwind them pretty easy. My opinion if its under 20lbs. unless its copper im not waisting saw saw or grinder blades on it. Starts creating over head. Keep it cheap and your always making money.

I take all the transformers and contactors I get and put them in a big vise. I clamp it in real good with a block under it.
I then take a old wood chisel and cut through one side of the windings. I then take and turn over the trans. and clamp back in vise. I tap a screwdriver under the windings with a hammer and then just pry up and remove a fair amount of #2 copper for little effort.

Taking say $0.25 a pound transformer and getting some copper and leaving the core at still about $0.10 a pound.
So if a trans weighs a pound it is worth about $0.25 as is. Cleaned it may have 2 or 3 ounces of copper, (just an estimate) @ 3.25 a pound and say 14 ounces of steel @ $0.10. This doubles your money, only trick is to be fast at it!