Harvesting Copper

[gustavus]

The pictures are self explanatory, I'm working on an old gasoline pump with my ground cable to a flat metal surface so that i can move the starters around with out having to affix the ground every time I turn one over.

The solenoids go into small motor breakage, I recently learned that the brushes may contain silver but have not performed any acid testing to confirm this.

From the first picture, note that I have only cut the head of the bolt off, with a hammer tap the nose cone this brings the armature out of the casing.

From the pile of scrap, you will see than i have blown the screw out that holds the metals core in place around the field coil. Once you have blown all the screws tap the casing with your hammer the coils will now fall out.



Regards
Gustavus

[gustavus]

To harvest the copper from the armature, I need the end of the shaft has to be clear of any obstructions. Using the plasma split the nut on opposite sides, this is a procedure I use on a lot of the scrap I dismantle.

When I g et to actually harvesting the copper from the armatures i will post a few pictures to make up for my bad grammar and typo's.

More beautiful cooper inside an old refrigeration compressor.

Regards
Gustavus

[gustavus]

Now it becomes evident why I want the end of the armature shaft free of obstructions, I cut the copper wire then incinerate to get the shellac off, once cooled tap the end of the armature onto something solid the wire falls freely out.

I use the 3 jaw as my vice, a sawzall to do the cutting.

Regards
Gustavus

[GeorgeB]

You were dealing with electric motors and compressors, but in the last few pictures, what were those things?

Also, for the electric motors, how do you break those apart?

With compressors, how long does it take you to cut into them? I hear, it can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. Thankfully our yard lets us turn them in as sis.

[GeorgeB]

How do you get these apart? http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/z...n/100_4430.jpg


that url was supposed to be the actual image, and not a url btw.

[gustavus]

How do you get these apart? http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/z...n/100_4430.jpg


that url was supposed to be the actual image, and not a url btw.

Opening up a compressor first time could take 5/10 minutes after you become proficient with the plasma maybe 2 minutes.
Fortunately I'm not being paid by piece work.

In that picture I'm showing how i have split the nut using the plasma so that I may remove the halves allowing the pulley to come off. I need the armature shaft fee and clear when I tap the end of it to get the burnt wire off.

The commutator is the copper bars where the brushes used to ride fall right off once you remove one segment forceful the rest fall out. Large generators have mica between the coppers for insulation. When working on one of these it is best to work on a tarp, makes clean up much easier.

When I get around to the electric motors, again I will post pictures with comments.

Split nut on old generator from either an automotive application or tractor, pre alternator.

On a side note, a generator will charge a stone dead battery while an alternator will not. A generator can become non functional after sitting for years or being dropped.

The residual magnetism will leave, then you have to polarize the generator to get it working again.

An alternator needs a trickle of electricity to excite it into charging,but is able to sit idle for years and still work.

[gustavus]

This is how i do electric motors, sharpen up an old wood chisel. Make sure the bevel side is facing downwards, it will slide across the laminates instead of digging in.

Cut every your copper coils before the wire has been incinerated, after cooling pull the wire out by hand or do as i, drop the motor onto a hard surface, the three started casings are what I used.

Next installment we'll do transformers.









Regards
Gustavus

[EcoSafe]

great posts Gus thanks for all the work and help to all. how about a quick break down of weight on a typical starter.

starting weight whole

copper weigt

iron weight

[gustavus]

great posts Gus thanks for all the work and help to all.

Everyone is welcome, not much more to share. I'm retired and just killing time waiting for my number to be called.

Really it is time to investigate Nickel scrap, this is what i was looking for when I stumbled onto the scrap forum. It's been a pleasure helping you guys and gals out.

Regards
Gustavus

[GeorgeB]

Everyone is welcome, not much more to share. I'm retired and just killing time waiting for my number to be called.

Really it is time to investigate Nickel scrap, this is what i was looking for when I stumbled onto the scrap forum. It's been a pleasure helping you guys and gals out.

Regards
Gustavus

Not to sound dumb, but what is nickel scrap?

Also, I appreciate the photos gustavus, and look forward to more help info whenever.

[GeorgeB]

What holds the electric motors like those into place? I believe you take apart 3 bolts and one side will come off correct? Or atleast the one I had yesterday was like that, but didn't take it apart.

[gustavus]

Lastly we have transformers, remember cut the wire before it's burnt. Now that the coper has been cut, burn it the wire falls out.

Sorry guys I'm not getting into weights and measures, nor am I going to elaborate on how to hold your work.

I will go so far as to say my last cash out was a large enough to put a smile on my partners face.





Best Regards to everyone, good luck in your ventures.
Gustavus

[KzScrapper]

What holds the electric motors like those into place? I believe you take apart 3 bolts and one side will come off correct? Or atleast the one I had yesterday was like that, but didn't take it apart.

They are all a little different but after taking those bolts off it should have at least been on the loose side. Is there anything on the shaft? Did you smack it around some with a hammer?

[gustavus]

Not to sound dumb, but what is nickel scrap?

Also, I appreciate the photos gustavus, and look forward to more help info whenever.

Super alloys that have nickel of various content, the higher the nickel content the higher the scrap value, some nickel scrap is worth like $10.00 a pound.

Nickel is used in a lot of goods we use in everyday life. if you would like to know more here is a good place to start your research.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Nickel_alloys

I have about 1000 lbs of Monel that i removed from a heat exchanger, I've mailed out a couple of samples and will do a follow up via telephone tomorrow to find out how much nickel is in the alloy and what price per pound I'm offered.

These high grade nickel alloys are everywhere in large and small amounts.

Regards
Gustavus

[Mechanic688]

that url was supposed to be the actual image, and not a url btw.

You inserted in the little round earth link with glasses?? and you should use the the square link to the right of the earth, just paste the address in there and the pic will come right up.

[GeorgeB]

Super alloys that have nickel of various content, the higher the nickel content the higher the scrap value, some nickel scrap is worth like $10.00 a pound.

Nickel is used in a lot of goods we use in everyday life. if you would like to know more here is a good place to start your research.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Nickel_alloys

I have about 1000 lbs of Monel that i removed from a heat exchanger, I've mailed out a couple of samples and will do a follow up via telephone tomorrow to find out how much nickel is in the alloy and what price per pound I'm offered.

These high grade nickel alloys are everywhere in large and small amounts.

Regards
Gustavus

First time I ever heard of Nickel scrap before. Will ask my yard about it too.

Thanks for the info, and good luck on getting a good offer for it.

[GeorgeB]

I will go so far as to say my last cash out was a large enough to put a smile on my partners face.

I know your partners feeling. The last few loads I have taken in, have been pretty nice!

[gustavus]

Super alloys that have nickel of various content, the higher the nickel content the higher the scrap value, some nickel scrap is worth like $10.00 a pound.

Nickel is used in a lot of goods we use in everyday life. if you would like to know more here is a good place to start your research.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Nickel_alloys

I have about 1000 lbs of Monel that i removed from a heat exchanger, I've mailed out a couple of samples and will do a follow up via telephone tomorrow to find out how much nickel is in the alloy and what price per pound I'm offered.

These high grade nickel alloys are everywhere in large and small amounts.

Regards
Gustavus

The results of my boiler tubing are in.

The sample was not Monel buy has enough nickel in the alloy to show up on acid testing.

Mo .522%

Nb 1.19

Bi .63

Zn 3.32

Cu 80.69

Ni 10.93

Co .28

Fe 1.33

[Mechanic688]

We have one yard around us that just put up a sign stating they will no longer take appliances without being tagged by a reclaimer and are no longer accepting burnt copper wire. I think it is a sign of things to come.

[GeorgeB]

We have one yard around us that just put up a sign stating they will no longer take appliances without being tagged by a reclaimer and are no longer accepting burnt copper wire. I think it is a sign of things to come.

They are about to LOSE a lot of business, which in turn is going to force their end buyers going else where, and force them out of business. Lots of scrappers don't have a way to reclaim freon.