Copper as I know it

My name is Sean I own Shea Re-Wire INC, and after reading through many post I would like to give some insight. Was unsure what to post this under, and I ended up here. You might want to grab a couple beers, it's gonna be a minute. Here we go

Copper top to bottom

BB/bare brite=99% purity=shinny, uninsulated, unplated, attachment free copper

#1 CU= 97% purity= wire/pipe=some patina/burn, hair wire, uninsulated, unplated/solder free, attachment free copper
#2 CU= 96% purity= wire/pipe= plated/solder, excessive patina/burn, #1 w/attachments copper
#3 CU=94% purity=lite copper=gutters, grounding strap, etc.

Anything less falls under copper contents, EX. insulated copper wire(ICW) to Aluminum,Copper radiators(ACR's)

I'm only going to touch on a couple different types of ICW, otherwise I will never finish this post. I know that every yard has there own scrap classifications. When they say insulated #3 I am lost, if there is only 3 insulated classifications somethings wrong. You have cable/wire that ranges from lets say 2 milliom kcmil to 34awg. There is a very wide copper content range just between these 2 ex.(95%-10%). You have ICW that's referred to as jellywire (a granulators nightmare). What about copper clad? It's ferrous wire thats copper plated and insulated.(looks like some old thermostat wire). Fire alarm cable that some have 2 solid conducts and a tin plated bare copper ground, because the plated ground it all falls under EX. #2 ICW 50%. Tons of different contents/classifications? I see ICW in 2 ways, unplated and plated, followed by it's recovery rate(copper content). Jellywire, wire with some attachments, alum shielding, cloth wire will always be purchased as a #2 ICW ?%. As a buyer/seller it's your job to know your product. moving on for now



Everyone wants top dollar, cash is king.(including myself). In all honesty "I make cents on the pound, the name of the game is Volume". To be competitive you need to know what your buying, meaning inspect every load(friends or associate), honest people make mistakes too.(I chunked brand new set of blades on my granulator, by not checking a load I purchased from a friend.) Take the time to get a recovery rate, always check it with a magnet, enhance your product the best you can, and have it seperated upon liquidating. I have no problem taking the time to explain how I buy it, why, what you can do to enhance your product, and how to seperate it. I can not pay top dollar for someone to show up with an unorcastrated mess and expect me to do all the foot work. I'll work with you, but laziness is not tolerated. If I'm doing the work, I'm getting paid!!! I have integrity and honor. ****ty business does not get you repeat business.
Last chapter of this copper novel

Different copper has different markets/endusers. Every scrapper needs know that exchange rates today are actually for march(futures for supply/demand). Not to mention for example My buyer is a broker and I can lock in my price. when I lock in my price I have to hedge my volume, becomes a contract regardless of exchange rate. I lock in, rates skyrocket and you can only increase your price so many cents before your upside down, with the obligation of filling the contract.

said too little typed too much, this is all for today

Nice tirade. One of the most frustrating things as a wire processor is people who have no idea what their copper is worth. If the market is at $3.50 your wire is not worth $3.50 a pound. I do no exporting at all and will only sell to American smelters who are using the product today. My pricing can sometimes be higher than the market as they are in need today. Most of my profit comes from the desperation of the end user. Now that China is back in the game my pricing is taking a hit as my smelter can buy from more sources but it is a choice we made to stay American and not export this stuff overseas like 99.9% of my competition.