HF Angle Grinder for Under $20! Your Ticket to Selling More Copper!

I have a small collection of electric motor from appliances I've scrapped.
They're full of yummy looking copper- but like gold locked up in quartz- it's not nearly as good as it it when it's freed from the entanglements.

So I saw where someone had mentioned an angle grinder on Harbor Freight that was fairly well made- and on sale for under twenty bucks! I usually don't like things from HF, but since the reviews on this item seemed to be pretty good and some had even said it was the best bargain in the store, I thought I'd give it a shot if I could score one cheaply.

I found a good deal on the HF site-listed as on sale for $21,http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-d...der-91223.html


and when I checked the HF flier in the Parade magazine in the Sunday paper, they had a coupon for 20% off any single item.
(The flier may also be available inside the store)
(I don't read Parade, I just filched it from the paper when I went to see someone)
While i was paying for the grinder, I gave the cashier the entire page with the coupons on it, and she asked if I wanted the free pair of gloves too!!
Suuure!
So she also threw a pair of heavy leather gloves in for free.



I already had a small, inexpensive drill press vise- not ideal, but it'll work:

(They run about $12 at HF
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-...ise-30999.html

I spent $1.89 on a cut off wheel from Home Depot since they were out of 4 1/2 inch wheels at HF.

Throw in some safety glasses for $4. and you're all set
http://www.harborfreight.com/safety-...ear-99762.html

I tried it out when I got home and was pleasantly surprised to see how easy it was to cut up the motors and extract that gorgeous copper.
So now instead of selling the motors for 25 cents a pound, I should be able to get $3.50 to $4.00 a pound for the copper.

I really think a LOT of people are losing money by selling those motors and compressors at the tin rate and getting only 9 or 10 cents a pound.

.

I'm limited to 5 pix or videos per post so here's part 2:

A few videos to show how the magic happens

How to take appart washing machine motors for the copper wire


Stripping copper from an electric motor



HOW TO RECYCLE COPPER WOUND ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR CASH


How to Remove Tightly Sewn Copper Wire from Old Motors


Fridge Compressor Fun - The Opening!

Thanks ma, I just found one large motor similar to the large one in the first video and wil try that technique first thing in the morning. Also when he says grind is the like grind the weld down? or cut through the weld?

Depending on the price, it might be better to sell it as a motor instead of trying to cut off the copper.

Originally Posted by matt018

Thanks ma, I just found one large motor similar to the large one in the first video and wil try that technique first thing in the morning. Also when he says grind is the like grind the weld down? or cut through the weld?

I don't think it matters much. If you cut below the weld, the wheel might last longer. I haven't tried it between the two to know.

The weld does give a reference point so that you meet your cut when you come back around.

Using a thin cutoff, go around it several times, making a deeper cut until you get though it. Wheels seem to last longer this way.

Originally Posted by chaseonthego

Depending on the price, it might be better to sell it as a motor instead of trying to cut off the copper.

I have done the math time and time again. Cleaning the copper out pays much more then motor price! I guess one must want to work for there money!

Seems like a sawsall or a band saw would be better than the grinder, but that's my opinion.
Some of these guys in the videos are sure risky with their power tools, etc. I guess they have never had a grinder "kick back" on them and OOOPs!!

Grinder can be dangerous- like most other things releated to scrapping and recycling.

NEVER stand in a position that would let the grinder kickback and hit you.
In other words- don't stand right behind the grinder when you're using it if at all possible. It will kick back against the direction the blade spins, so try to stay out of that arc of danger.

Well I used a grinding disc today and cut the weld right through in about 3 minutes then hit up with a ball pein hammerand the inner part came right undone then I used a cutoff wheel and cut one side of the copper windings. Then used a metal chisel and hammer and popped the cet end of the wire through the other end of the motor and pulled with a large pair of sidecutters. worked great! thanks for the tips.

Hey Guyz.

There is a guy that sits out in front of the scrap yard and buys stuff from people before they go inside.

Average Size Fridge Compressors for $10
A/C Condensor Compressor $15
Washing & Dryer Electric motors $5
Batterys $10-$12

Am i getting a good deal?
How is he making money of these?
Who is he selling too?

I pulled the twine off one of the electric motors there was like maybe (1 lb of copper @ $3.00 LB) - (1/4 lb of aluminum @ 1.98 LB) Not worth the effort. Easier to sell whole.

Any money in the transmission from washing machines ? There a real B*tch to remove.

ThanX

By my calculations, I have saved $15 so far. $125 to buy, $100 for the two subsiquent rebuilds, total $225. In the same amount of time, I would have gone through 12 of the $20 units.

Have you calculated that those 12 cheepo units would've probably had 24 pounds of electric motors in them to take to the scrap yard?

Originally Posted by chaseonthego

Depending on the price, it might be better to sell it as a motor instead of trying to cut off the copper.

it depends on the type of scrapper you are.
the big guys are busy and its not feasible for them to spend time removing the copper from motors.
cos they could be earning much more out there.

people like me, well were not busy on a daily basis, so it would be very sensible to use that free time to remove the copper from motors etc.

I use a 9 inch angle grinder, the discs are cheaper & when its worn down to 4 1/2 inch dia, you can put it on a smaller grinder. It takes a lot less energy to use & its way quicker, I get about 12-15 compressors to the 9inch disc.

I have used grinders for decades & have never really had a bad incident with them, 'cept a small cut in a left hand knuckle I had to get stitched together with 3 stiches, tiny deal...

HF has this 9 inch grinder 9" Heavy Duty Angle Grinder

Incidently, they guys holding it wrong... Handle should be in the left hand sides position & the grinder should grind in the 2 to 5 o'clock position on the disc, so if it grabs, it pulls the grinder away from you.
Cutting vertically, right hand on the switch grip, left hand - thumb up- on the handle. If it grabs it will pull the grinder up & away from, and to the right of the operator.

ALSO, make sure the bolts holding the angle geardrive together are always tight, if they loosen even the slightest it will wear away the gears teeth real quick & they will strip & the grinders ruined, all in 15 mins.....

I got the same grinder last year. I use it infrequently, so I'm not too worried about the durability of it. So far it's been great. Gets the job done.