Should YOU Scrap Transformers?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ต.ค. 2024
- Shark Scrapper is responding to viewer comments about the added value of scrapping transformers. Is it worth the time?
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As you said it depends on your time and situation
I was one of the previous commenters. Just a reminder I use handheld bandsaw primarily. If transformer exceeds throat depth which 90% of what I get does not I use sawzall then. I keep around junk that I just stack to set tranformer in with coil facing down and then knock out. I use left over steel rods from printer scrap for the rods to pound out coils. I do all cutting over an empty garbage can to catch all clean up. My yard however does not accept them like that as #2 so I save up a lot and cut and knock out coils. Then I clean up coils at a later date. Transformers are very compact and stack well away in the corner
Thanks, this video has generated many options for how to scrap these things.
Project Shop FL channel uses a hydraulic press to crack transformers and then a beefed up solenoid type of thing to push the steel out the middle of the coils - he does them in batches, around 3-5 transformers a minute. When you're working with barrels of transformers, it adds up and it's worth spending a few hours to make a few hundred dollars.
Yeah most people don't have barrels of them. Most people can't make a hydraulic press or beefed up solenoid type thing or need to. Most people break them down very similar to the way seen here with tools most people would have. Every thing is dependent on what you're time is worth & what your capabilities are with the tools & inventory on hand.
@@coryj1811 It is more like how much of what stuff you find. When you have tons of transformers it makes sense to think a bit about streamlining your process. AND that guy selects only those transformers with the welded E-I core. Those can easily be opened. It would not work on this transformer here.
@@jackmclane1826 which is what I said lol. Most people aren't the same as project fl right? So yeah everyone has different capabilities & amount of items.
Also, when Project Shop FL is done, the steel goes as prepared/HMS so he gets more for the steel, too.
@@michaelmay6859 If a yard takes laminated iron cores as HMS... go for it. I doubt that this is official policy, but scrap yard workers also make regular mistakes.
I suspect that if you were enthusiastic about getting better return for your time, you could likely get about double the performance with a heavier vice and mount, with a large wheel instead of the small tightening handle. Then, use a large (and sharpened!) wood chisel with the flat side against the steel and a heavy hammer. Guillotine the coil off of one side completely. Then, take a heavy metal rod that has had one end ground into a rectangle shape and the other end remains round (for easy hammering) to pound that copper out of the core. Don't even take those bolts out, unless it changes the classification of the steel.
Thank you for the detailed recommendations. There are no end of tools and adjustments we can make to improve ROI. Top of mind is a bigger, beefier vice.
Good day Shark from Ontario.. Yes if u are retired & nothing else to do, I would tear apart.
Boy that is a serious grinder.
Thanks
I don’t get to use that big grinder often. But it sure is fun when I can 🤣
It's worth it to us
Sweet
Good video shark. I will do small to medium transformers. I rarely come across the big ones like that.
Glad you liked the video. I get mostly smaller transformers as well. But these big UPS...that's a different story.
There is a way wich is a lot easier with these APC UPS Transformers.
First Take out the bolts and framing. Second punch between the first two metal layers with a flathead. After that pull out the first second and thrid metal layer with pliers. After that the transformer should fall completely apart after punching a little on top of the metal. Normally they only glue the first three metal layers of the Transformer and the rest is just pressfit. No cutting needed and it should be a lot faster.
Thanks, I'll give that a try on the next one. I have a few of these in that load.
I look at it like this, basically it took you 1/3 of an hour, if you do 3 in an hour that's $39. I just try to think of it like that. I love ups' just for that reason, their xformers. The batt's are easy money and of course there's the wire and some brass. To me they are some of the best returns for escrap money wise, but that's just me. I can't be too picky, i just have to be in the right place at the right time. Yeah, the smaller ones i toss into cbm, otherwise it's comin' apart. And yes, after awhile they do get quicker. I'll generally stockpile them, sort by similarity and go for some good stress relieving dismantling them. However, i do try to clean up the paper,plastic,etc. so i don't get any hassle. All in all i think it comes down to what you've mastered as a scrappin' bastard😅. Maybe that should be my handle! Still and will watch everyone's technique on their tear down of xformers, for the most part, i think they pay unless #2 has tanked!
Great feedback Daniel, thank you. You make a very good point about getting faster by learning and doing similar models at the same time. I have no doubt these would have a better return for me if I spent more time learning them and staging similar models.
I have a huge tote full of transformers and other copper bearing things, in case I am ever bored or broke. I have the space though, and don't need it for cash flow yet.
Good to have something in the scrap bank.
Thanks for the video, dude! Lots of really useful info on your channel, and I appreciate you sharing your work with us!
My pleasure!
Sharkey we would entertain a video to see how much you improve on your speed doing say ten then do a cost analysis but I tell you true it's a bit more work to gain the extra with the workload you have I can see your dilemma. Thank you for sharing this enjoyable video with us six stars sir
Glad you enjoyed it Joseph. I might put some aside to take on after I get through another couple hundred PCs. Or not 🤣
now this is interesting guess a question of time spent versus value of copper windings looks quite a job getting it apart
*💯always full views💢Au👍hit the like👍*
There are some folks that can knock through these much faster than I.
Give me a call and I will talk you though on how to get it down to under 5 mins that's $30 an hr with a 4.5 inch grinder . As for the mess I took a white 55Gal drum and cut at the first rib from the top . The cut down to the bottom rib for about 18 to 24 inch to fit you . I have a Willton Shop King vise its a bit bigger than yours mounted on 1/4" steel plate 18 X 18 . I sit the vise and plate down in the bottom of the drum this will catch about 75 to 90 % of the copper dust ,that you can save to melt down .That is the way I did it when it to cold to go out and play with the Snow Sharks🦈🦈🦈
Snow sharks 🤣
Sounds a neat set up
Good break down, Shark! With a little practice, you can get them down to 5 minutes each and make some real money! I don't mess with the real small ones but if it looks like 2 lbs or more of copper, I take them apart. 👍
If I didn’t have so many PCs stacked up I might work on getting faster at this. It just takes practice.
I'm dreaming about getting a strong enough hydraulic shop press with a shear tool to cut through the copper. Because I find lots and lots of those. I stack the beefy ones for now.
I already have the shear tool with a well hardened tool steel edge.
Very cool. A good shop press would make a huge difference.
Great video! Good info
Thanks for watching!
Next week I plan on cutting the copper "caps" off the ends and seeing if my yard will still take the rest as an electric motor. Has anyone else seen if their yard will or will not do this?
If I understand what you're saying I'd not be surprised if they say no. You've removed a lot of the copper from the transformer. But if you're lucky you might get some inexperienced person at the yard who will not know better and take them.
There are several ways to tear apart a transformer to retrieve the copper. the fastest way is to cut off one end of the windings and using a punch and a hammer, tap out the windings.
If you have the type of transformer with interleaving E-Shaped metal plates, this may be the only way to go. Most of the time, the plates are glued in with Lacquer. But, If you're lucky, you might find the plates are just welded together at the bottom or the sides. The way to crack that transformer open is to get a chisel and a heavy hammer and whack at the weld line a few times until the weld breaks. If you have an angle grinder Like Shark uses in this video, just cut away the weld line and the plate will fall off then all you have to do is push out the windings without having to cut any wires. For me, tossing a large transformer into a hot BBQ grill is the best method, as it burns away the lacquer on the wire and loosens the plates enough to where a good toss on the ground is enough to break it open.
Of course you know I have to point out that burning the plastic and lacquer is not a good practice from an environmental or health perspective.
Neither is Using strong Acids to process gold , but every gold refiner does it. It releases acid fumes into the atmosphere. Kind of like Jupiter's atmosphere..@@sharkscrapper
@@scrapman502 I am happy that atleast in Louisiana they don’t purchase burnt copper anymore. One step at a time.
But for industrial gold refining. I am sure they have air scrubbers that catch the acid. Before the air is freely released outside.
No arguments there, but acids can be neutralized and the contaminants removed from the liquids IF one either knows what they are doing or takes it to a hazmat processor. And a proper vent hood with carbon filter neutralizes the released gases. Of course, very few hobby refiners bother to take these precautions.
I think all states have placed controls on the sale of burnt copper. Even in Florida it's not allowed unless you have a SMR certificate or can prove it came from a structure fire. Of course that doesn't stop those who are ignorant of the realities of burning ICW or chose to not care/make excuses. As you said, one step at a time.
Good video Shark, I average $99 per hour Canadian doing transformers
Very nice
Use a manchette and a large hammer to cut through the centre of the transformer. Copper comes out easy peasy and will save you 5 minutes per transformer! See Scraptail
Don't have a machete.
Dang! I wish Utah had amazingly high scrap prices like you currently have!
Is it worth it?? I don’t know, is paying $100 green fee and golfing for 4 hours worth it? Is spending hours knitting a sweater worth it? Is scrapping for a hobby that sort of pays a little worth it?🤔😂
When it’s a hobby the decision is very different. As a hobby the enjoyment and time spent having fun is more important than what you can make in money. And since most hobbies cost a lot - especially golf 😂 - scrapping can be a hobby that pays for itself.
you are a Saint man.
Far from it, but thank you.
no for real man you are like a professor for me when it comes to scrapping... i hope to come down there in january and kick it with you and help you out too in return for any knowledge i absorb. ill take shit apart for ya all day ...lol @@sharkscrapper
Great video my friend
Thank you 👍
Shark I have a question about the difference between copper and aluminum in transformers ?
What would you like to know? If the windings are Al most yards treat them as breakage or irony Ali.
@@sharkscrapper ok thank you 🙂
Copper = $$
Aluminum = ¢
I wish i could get $0.36 A LB for motor and transformers i only get $0.12 ive been saving them to break down but ive got so many at this point if i pick them up on my way to the yard or if i didnt unload from my vehicle before going to the yard theu just get scrapped the way they are
I feel your frustration. $0.12/lbs is rough.
An air hammer would make quick work out of them
It sure would.
What is the answer to your question? Hmmm, well it depends on the time one has available. Simple as that. Oh! Almost forgot, and copper prices!!
It’s a common theme in this game isn’t it?
@@sharkscrapper yep
liked and shared
Thank you
😎👊🙏
Shark got his nine incher out,
🤣😆