Vacuum cleaner motors

How much copper is in an average vacuum cleaner moter?I always grab a vacuum off of the curb cut the electrical cord for 1 a lb.Take the motor out then cut the rest if the wire out.But now I'm thinking after scrapping a 100 or so how much money did I cost myself not taking copper out of the motor ?

I pull the moters out of every vacuum I can get. Some I sell the moter whole and some I take the copper out of. I have not wieghed the copper but I would think it would be about a 1/4 pound.

Do you ever get older ones that you thought to sell or they are just scrap?

The rollers are aluminum too

That's good to know but some motors the copper looks pretty thick still might be worth the time.

The round fan blade on the front of the motor is also aluminum. Also, the stator laminations are all steel. Toss those right into your shred barrel once you have removed the copper windings.

pretty much all the cheap vacuums i take the sledge to, now if i find a kirby or dyson on the curb that would be a whole different deal. I just toss the whole motor with the blade on it into the copper motor/transformer pile.

Lately I've been tossing the moters in the moter/transformer bin because 1 I don't get as many vacs. as I used to and 2 I would rather spend the time braking down e-waste.

i love vacuums sure theres alot of trash if like me theres no plastic buyer near or recycler but there easy and fun just cut smash and grab i have yet to tear into my motors i am waiting for alot to build first but cords are juicey and some of the professional ones i buy at auctions for $1 or less are great cause they replace with 25ft medium ext. cords and have 2 motors big inside and medium in the head plus belts to resell and brand new bags sometimes also well working ones can be a quick $5-10 sell on the cheaper ones.
i had a dyson last year that what was wrong i seen right away the cord on the outside was broke on one side like it was hit on a corner or something and i cut it wired nutted it and taped it to make sure it was secure. then sold it on creigs list as it was full disclosure so that they knew what i did but presto $90 they offered from $125 i had on it and sure i could have hagled with them more but $90 for maybe 25cents in parts and 20min of my time was a good deal lol

Originally Posted by jghilino

LOL Your not going to get $35 in shred from an upright vaccum. I just dont see them weighing 400 pounds. Realistically your looking at $25 in scrap if you break it all the way down or $20 for a quick partial break down with a sledge and some wire cutters.

read 2nd line again

net yields : all numbers in ounces

Originally Posted by oldtoothlessbassmaster

read 2nd line again

net yields : all numbers in ounces

roger that, ounces. I thoughy he was listing prices of the stuff.

Originally Posted by happyscraper

jghilino, who said anything about getting 35.00 in shred from a vacuum? I would like to know where you sell your scrap, I have broke down 100's of vacuums and never get more than 4.00-5.00.

That was an error, i thought he was listing prices not weights. my bad

Im seeing a 5 pound motor $2 (split the aluminum blade off for clean aluminum). 20 pounds of shred (vacuum carcass) $2. I dont remember the weight of the wiring but i think its about 3 pounds of number 2 insulated so $4. Misc brass and other stuff like switches/boards. 50 cents. So thats around $8 total or am i completely off?

Personally i dont scrap the vacuum cleaner cords. I put a replacement cord end on the other end and make them into extension cords.

0.72 oz brass from motor brush holders and plug
brass @ $1.65 pound or 0.103125 cents per ounce
0.72 x 0.103125 = 0.07425 cents round up to .08 cents

4.02 oz copper from motor
#2 copper @ $2.55 pound or 0.159375 cents per ounce
4.02 x 0.159375 = 0.6406875 cents round up to .65 cents



.99 oz copper from armature
.99 x 0.159375 = 0.1577812 cents round up to .16 cents

1.36 oz aluminum from motor
sheet alum @ .47 pound or 0.029375 cents per ounce
1.36 x 0.029375 = 0.03995 cents round up to .04 cents

15.85 oz from wires
insulated copper wire @ .97 pound or 0.060625 cents per ounce
15.85 x 0.060625 = 0.9609062 cents round up to .97 cents

36.75 oz shred from motor, shafts, screws etc.
shred @ .07 pound or 0.004375 cents per ounce
36.75 x 0.004375 = 0.1607812 cents round up to .17 cents

recap :
.08
.65
.16
.04
.97
.17
===
$2.07 total

I'm impressed with the detail of your analysis. Did you weigh the plastic? I'm thinking that if someone had a buyer, that's where the easier money would be.

Originally Posted by Otto

I'm impressed with the detail of your analysis. Did you weigh the plastic? I'm thinking that if someone had a buyer, that's where the easier money would be.

thanks

to keep the thread on topic i just listed the breakdown of the motor and other metals found.
the plastic "bagless" section was missing on this unit so an actual total weight would be off.

still would be worth it just to see the look on the scale dudes face when you put this load of brass on that floor scale