Just poking around today

[Mick]

I've been throwing insulated wire into a pile for about six months. A couple guys bring stuff over to give me and I knew one had thrown some wire onto the pile. Today, I decided to get it picked up for the scrap yard as Insulated Copper ($1.40/lb). Looked like most little stuff like appliance cords, which I'd cut off, computer/radio wire and similar. Too much trouble to strip for what it is. About half way through it, I ran into a bunch of old jumper cables. Nah, still too much trouble to strip. Next was an industrial jumper cable (probably 2 gauge). Decided to strip it. Rubber insulation with a string mesh. String was kind of a pain to strip, but worth it for the six pounds of copper ($3.15/lb). Next was an industrial jumper like I've NEVER seen. I'm hoping somebody can help me figure it out. Clamp (not steel and only opens a couple inches) on one end; flat copper piece with a hole for a bolt on the other end. The cable is made up of seven strands of copper. Each strand is about the size of a regular car jumper cable and made up of smaller strands (like wire rope for you recovery guys). I made a "walking measurement" and came up with 60' (yes, FEET). I'm guessing at one pound per foot or a little more. Rubber insulation only and very brittle.

I haven't looked much further, but looks like there's more to be stripped. Had one good payday yesterday (mostly copper and brass - $750; plus $122 in Light Iron the day before). Best part is that it was all dropped off here "just to get it out of the way".

[Mick]

Come to think of it, very likely. The clamp looks like a welding clamp. I'm not usually a welder, so didn't think of it.

[rca987]

Did you end up turning in all your wires? If so, out of pure curiosity, how many lbs did you have saved in those 6 months?

I've recently started to stockpile all wirings, brass and copper. Box it up and throw it in storage.

[ArgonWelding]

Yup, ground clamp. If it is not steel, bet you a dollar it's copper. I have a steel one on my MIG welder and a copper one on my TIG. I did both my jobs today. Hauled in scrap and then met a lady at my shop and fixed her aluminum rim. I much rather repair a rim for $60 than recycle one for______. (fill in appropriate amt.)

[Mick]

I just started today working on the six month's worth of wiring. Haven't taken in any of that. I imagine it'll be around 200 pounds.

I did take in last Saturday most of the other copper stockpile I had built up over the winter. Thirty-two pounds of #1; 124 lbs of #2, 31 lbs of brass; 41 lbs of brass radiators, 62 pounds of Aluminum, 20 pounds of extrusion and 357 lbs of Irony Aluminum. Still have maybe 15 - 20 pounds of Bright and Shiny and maybe 25-30 pounds of #2 copper that needs to be "prepared". And that's just what's in the garage. Not counting the pile I've been posting pictures of and another 8x8x16 storage building of aluminum. I expect to be busy for awhile.

(Reply to rca987)

[Mick]

Yup, ground clamp. If it is not steel, bet you a dollar it's copper. I have a steel one on my MIG welder and a copper one on my TIG. I did both my jobs today. Hauled in scrap and then met a lady at my shop and fixed her aluminum rim. I much rather repair a rim for $60 than recycle one for______. (fill in appropriate amt.)

Yes, it's copper. Already cut the clamp and stripped some to make sure.