disassembling 600V transformers

Hi Guys,

I've been reading your forum from few weeks and I have decided to register and ask tip!

I have more than three hundreds 600V transformers (welded units) from HPS ballasts. I will have hundreds more to come.. Those little bastards have 2.75 pounds of #3 Copper per units. I want to recover the Copper because it largely worth the time, I've tried with an axe (or cold chisel depending on how I feel) and a big hammer : it works good but it's painful for my hands!! I have also tried with a grinder and hammer but it takes the same time!

I am wondering if anyone of you have tried to break the weld with an hydraulic press? metal shear? Any tips? Any tool I can buy to help?

Thanks

I never used a bandsaw , it seems to be a good alternative. I never think about cuting the copper and prying out of the steel, It's a very good idea.

How many minutes it takes to put the copper out of transformers with those 2 way, have you ever timed yourself?

Originally Posted by dsroten

In my experience with transformers, I use a port a band saw to cut through the welds. It makes short work of the iron. Or I use it to cut the copper on one side, then drive a prybar through the other side a let the wire out.

Thanks Man for you advice

I bought a brand metal new band saw , cuted the copper / aluminium and pryed out by the otherside. It's so easy that even the aluminium worth the time to be pry out!