Keep together or take apart?

**NoviceScrapper** · 12-09-2011, 08:35 PM

Hey everyone,

Just registered after viewing the forums for a few days and while taking apart a small White-Westinghouse fan, I found this (picture).

It has good weight and is magnetic. My question is; should I leave it together or take the copper out?

Thanks,

Justin

**BiggerHammer** · 12-09-2011, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by NoviceScrapper

Hey everyone,

Just registered after viewing the forums for a few days and while taking apart a small White-Westinghouse fan, I found this (picture).

It has good weight and is magnetic. My question is; should I leave it together or take the copper out?

Thanks,

Justin

Do you sell to both the metal yard and the non-ferrous "copper, aluminum, stainless steel, etc..." yard? If you do sell to both then I personally would separate it. Cutters to the thick copper wire on top and a hammer to the thin roll of wire at the bottom. (If hammer doesn't work then grinder or cutters) The only time I do not separate is when the copper is wrapped and rewrapped over and over again in a tape. Then I just sell as a Copper Bearing Motor (CBM) to the non-ferrous yard. If you do not go to a metal yard... I would recommend changing your mind and saving all your metals, but if you choose not to then it just might be worth your time to sell as a CBM. Be safe and Happy Scrapping!

**miked** · 12-09-2011, 09:15 PM

That's a start to a copper collection. Very easy to seperate. I used to use a wood chisel to cut through the copper but now I just hit it with my 4 1/2" grinder. Mike.

**easyrecycle** · 12-09-2011, 09:20 PM

What I would do is ask your self what is your time worth to you.

To me..my time is worth $28 an hour as thats what I was paid on my last job. But when a company hires me to "teach" them how to go green I charge upwards of $40 an hour and more from how many people and to the time of the year or the time of the week they want me.

But lets take my $28 an hour. That would brake down to 0.46 a minute. So lets say. to take something apart that once apart you can make 60cents but it takes me 5minutes would it be worth it to me to make that 60cents or move onto something else that I can make more money on?

Sometimes its best to put something onto the side until you have nothing else to do..like on a rain out or when the roads are iced over.

Just my two cents or in this case $0.92 cents as it took me just under two minutes to type all of this out lmao.

For those who do not know what I did for work before I started my company...I worked on power plants as a pipe fitter. I was laid-off and was not able to get onto another job and this company just grew from that....I think I went into that story once before so yea.

**hobo finds** · 12-09-2011, 09:49 PM

#2 copper by me $2.50 lb
Sheet iron / steel .095 lb
Elect motors .20 lb

Depends ob how much yo have and if you want to break them down to get the % of copper out. Depending on time it may e better to turn them in as motors and be done!

**Mechanic688** · 12-09-2011, 10:09 PM

if you cut into the copper take a look at one of strands and see if the center is silver, if it is then you have a copper plated aluminum wire. I would leave it at that point and sell as a motor.

**BiggerHammer** · 12-09-2011, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by mechanic688

if you cut into the copper take a look at one of strands and see if the center is silver, if it is then you have a copper plated aluminum wire. I would leave it at that point and sell as a motor.

very good point!!!

**NoviceScrapper** · 12-09-2011, 10:28 PM

Thank you everyone for your answers! Here is all the copper taken out.

**ozzy214** · 12-09-2011, 11:35 PM

Good job. Wait till you find the big ones....he he.. I had a ac unit from a warehouse. It had to be 70's vintage,. Was not a complete unit. But did have the compressor. Took 20 mins to get the compressor broke apart with the torch and another 10 to get the copper out. Before the compressor was like 100-125 lbs at 20 a lb. Now it was 100 lbs junk steel and 20 lbs copper. Oh that was a good day. Need to find more of them :>~

**eesakiwi** · 12-10-2011, 09:29 PM

I scrap heaps & heaps of them.

Look at it, see the bit in the centre of the copper coil?
Now if you put the thing sideways on a solid surface & tap the end with the big hole in it, just a few taps with a hammer will do.
That will open up the end where the copper coils is.
Now the copper coil & the inner part made of iron will drop out.
Now use something to push the inner bit of metal out & you are left with a complete copper coil around a square plastic spool.

Cut thru the spool in the middle with a meat cleaver sorta tool & hammer.
(I wouldn't suggest using a craft knife/boxcutter, as they have the effect of not cutting thru, until your finger is under the blade, then it slices thru the plastic & your finger....)

Peel off the copper coil, I did aboput 5 last night.
They weigh up to about ~ 50grams