Copper Wire

Im just getting started in scrapping, so id like some advice. Do you guys strip your copper wire or leave it insulated? Ive got probably around 100 pounds of copper already and i know its not easy to strip that much. Thanks for the feedback.

It all depends. Is it easy-stripping wire and worth the extra time? What's the difference in cost? Does the added weight of the insulation outweigh the price you'd receive if it was stripped? This is a complex question that can't be solved without seeing the wire in person. However, usually, stripping the wire leaves profit. If you factor in your time, it's usually not worth doing unless you have a very nice machine. My $.02.

Try it..its pretty easy..find the block vid for #2...

Its fun n the outcome is beautiful..

I dont strip computer wire or any small stuff, but anything that is longer is definitely worth it...

Does burning the insulation off take much off the value? Will most scrap yards even take it with the insulation burned off?

Most Scrap yards will bump the price up in a 100 pounds call and find out prices on over 100 lbs before u skin it

It depends on two things, what kind of wire do you have and how much time do you have to send on stripping wire. I only strip romax and thnn anything else goes in the insulated tote.

I have over a ton of copper wire, (yes over 2000 lbs) , size 500 down to 26 Ga. and some still bare copper wire/flat on spools. most of the 500 is in 20 to 40 foot long, the #6 and #8 is on spools or loose 50' or more. Right now it is in one very big pile in my shed, I need to scrap it. tired of tripping over it for the last 15 years of piling it up. some of the big stuff I was thinking of using my truck to pull the cover off and flowing the cut with a razor knife as the tuck pulls on the cover? I will not be adding to my pile anymore. so buying something to strip wire will not work for me. I am into steel / alum now, I own a mig / stick welder and CNC plasma cutting table, 5x9' upto a 1" thick, I cut parts and look nice art things now. painting and powder coat small things too. And I have a full time job too. So only weekends I play.

So I think the in the sun and scrap clean copper wire will work, Do I cut it up or can I just roll it up and and scrap it. ?? and I know the bare stuff on wood spools will need to come off the spools.

Know your local laws. By me you need a business license to turn in stripped wire. Yards do not buy burnt wire here as well.

Originally Posted by navy80to04

I have over a ton of copper wire, (yes over 2000 lbs) , size 500 down to 26 Ga. and some still bare copper wire/flat...I will not be adding to my pile anymore. so buying something to strip wire will not work for me. I am into steel / alum now,

I can't imagine avoiding wire in favor of steel and aluminum. You can do all of them together, you know. Oh well, more for the rest of us.

Only you can determine if it's worth it to strip it, or not. Try some and see.


My thoughts on the wire stripper: With that huge pile of insulated, it would 100% be worth it to buy a stripper. The difference between insulated and non-insulated prices is big enough that you should be able to cover the cost of a really good stripper with less than a hundred pounds of your wire. Even if you throw the darn thing away when you're done, you would still come out way ahead. Heck, sell the thing when you're done to recoup some of your investment.