Scrapping a HEAP of Transformers for Scrap Copper! How Much Can We Make?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ส.ค. 2024
- I've been stacking these transformers up and looking forward to seeing just how much scrap copper we can pull out of them and how much we make per hour doing it! Spoiler alert; it was plenty. Strip your transformers!
Wire stripper I use: amzn.to/3sirg18
The motorized stripper: amzn.to/3y0JMuQ
The wire cutters I like: amzn.to/2T6j3OW
This is the cheaper version: amzn.to/2SwrYsB
And here are those grips I recommend: amzn.to/2QCJmYl
(If you make a purchase on amazon through the links above, a small amount of what amazon makes on the sale is shared with me. It's a great way to help support my channel, at no additional cost to you. Even if you buy something other than my tool recommendations!)
Please like/share this video if you enjoyed it, and subscribe to thubprint!
/ @thubprint
I love mail! You can send me some here if you like:
Thubprint
PO BOX 99900 RF 764 740
RPO WESTBROOK
CALGARY AB
T3C 1B6
/ thubprint
/ thubprint
Music: bsmith - Industrial Scrap
I wanted to look through your videos, trying to find one that I didn't watch twice already. And boom, there it is: "uploaded 2 minutes ago"!!! Thanks Thub, best way to relax after a long day at work :)
Just took my biggest run to the yard yesterday! 730 pounds of extruded aluminum patio door tracks!
Jheezz that’s a hell of a score
@@pierreroy8124 that was from a massive apartment complex. Replacing all of the patio doors
@@ScrapFatherScrapSon nice. Those are always a likely spot for a good find. They don’t seem to care about the scrap. Did it go in as clean extrusion or irony/ dirty bc of caulking or screws?
Thub - Transformer iron is *not* mild steel. It's soft high-silicone iron, worth at least 10x as much. Ditto for motor iron. Anything that's laminated. Keep two chunks of 4x4 around for shoulders to help you pound out the coils. Instead of using a grinder, use a sawzall, or, a hatchet with a mallet. TH-cam doesn't like hotlinking other vids, but here's the video suffix for one guy that does it with a hatchet: 6cPLEK8hfNM . If you want the coils to slide out really easy, throw the whole thing into an oven or a BBQ for a while, just to soften the enamel. They'll slide apart like mittens if they're a little bit hot to the touch.
Where can I sell transformer steel for 10x as much? lol
@@ProjectShopFl at my local scrapyard steel is 11c a pound a high silicone is 19c a pound far cry from 10x as much i only bother separating it if its over 2000 pounds
I use a portable band saw nd a long pry bar
Great video, always worth cleaning copper transformers. lol Thanks for the shoutout, your videos are always well thought out and informative.
Thanks buddy! I’m constantly blown away by the quality of material you get ahold of, best scrap p0rn on YT 😆
Bro you just saved my arms hands everything, I've been pounding at these with a sledge and chisel on the welds it's so hard
I started using Is cordless sds Rotary hammer it works great and you don't need compressed air... And it is still a drill a hammered dril
The last motor video where I took apart motors it's in that video see how well it works
This was interesting. Looks like a bit of a pain and a bit tedious, though. So glad it payed well. There was something I loved about the artistic composition of the image at about 7:30. Very painterly. I'd paint it and call it, "Working Man." Nice "worthwhile" segue, too. Thanks, Thub!
Some of the microwave transformers will have aluminum windings on the primary(bottom thicker gauge), with copper on the secondary coil. The secondary is a larger coil. Make sure to check the secondary first. If its aluminium, then don't bother.
An interesting look into the cost vs. benefit of taking the time to clean your scrap. I like that you take the time to explore all the options. Thanks for another great video Thub 😊😊😊
I'm that way, if I'm going to scrap, I want the most return possible!
Transformers more than meets the eyes !
In your safety rundown, you forgot hearing protection. Using that angle grinder, you will definitely want that, as well.
Great time watching you tear these transforms down.
I have only been at this a year now, and I still don’t know where you guys find such cool stuff. I never see transformers or big generators, or that sweet heavy-duty cable I see guys like BigStackD have to melt down.
Nice video as always, Thub!
Problem with burning any copper (besides the smoke and environmental impact/legality) is you may save time but you also loose money.
What really boils my piss is when you get a nice transformer or motor and it's not copper but it's bastard poor relative aluminium
Just a little information about air chisels I am not sure which company makes it but you can get a battery operated one now
Thank you!
The other day I had a pretty big electric motor and tried to extract the copper with a big flat head screw driver and a grinder, came pretty close but I couldn’t do it with out throwing it in a fire and melting all the glue and plastic off, it definitely saved time and effort for me but if it was any smaller of a motor I wouldn’t bother, I’m sure if I had an air it rotary hammer i wouldn’t have had to
I guess that’s what it comes down to really, an individual’s situation. I should try keep that in mind for my final thoughts when exploring all the options. Of course there are more efficient ways but you can’t really buy a fancy tool to do the one motor. Maybe you’ll be in a situation where you can stack up a bunch of them and then you can get away with buying a fancy toy for it!
@@thubprint exactly, maybe down the road I will purchase a fancy tool to save time but as of now I became pretty efficient at tackling motors with just a grinder and a large flat head screw diver
Good times ✌
Best video by far! You are getting so much better at your content, this has really educated me on managing my time and efforts for things like this
Great content Thub! I broke down some big old fuses today and got some lovely slabs of copper. I really enjoy these Friday videos give me something to look forward to. Have a good weekend neighbor.
I see the advantage in starting with a new cutting disc to get the full reach.
Makes a big difference for sure. That’s why I switched to the Diamond blade like the Lenox or diablo for copper, they last a really long time and they never get smaller so it’s way more efficient than swapping blades all the time
Great video! Thanks!
Great video. Every time I take a microwave apart and I take the transformer out it seems to almost always be aluminium😔
I don't even look anymore unless it's an old one.
Woth wile for sure, both the video and the transformers, always great to make some good money on them 👍👍👍😊
Havent caught up to present video in order yet, But I wanted to watch it asap
I cut one time across a winding in the center, then splay the copper back with a flat bar, usually the first few layers can be driven down through the steel, separating it from the paper & insulation. Then the remaining copper starts just pushing out by hand. I appreciate your approach & attitude, always looking for a better way, good job young man!
Interesting, and worth trying out! Might depend on the specific transformer, some of them have super thick windings that would be harder to fold up together but if a person had an eye for which ones were good candidates I could see it saving time and cutting discs
@@thubprint Your biggest one is like my small ones, I have some I can't pick up, with fat copper bars, not wire and that's how I do those as well. The small ones with just wire are pretty easy to do that way. I use 6" cutoff discs, I have to do it that way to cut all the way through the copper. Like you, I'm always looking for a better way, my methods are pretty fluid.
Great job! I wasn't expecting that much copper! I got an electric wire stripper and made $300 in four hours stripping a bin of 3 AWG wire
Well done Thub!
Time well spent, definitely worth it. 👍
You need a portable band saw brotha the hell with the grinder
Nothing like doing it the hard way and you really need to get the coating off of the wires so you can get # 1 out of the heavier wires 😮😮😮😮😮and when you got done all you had was dirty # 2 copper 😮
Yes it took more time to process them but it paid dividends in the end ! If you have time why does it matter how long it takes - you made money that's the main reason for doing scrap imo 😆
I realize this is 7 months old, but I was seriously holding my breath every time you cut into things, or swept up the debris. Funny how the human mind works aint it?
Maybe you could use an axe with a sledge hammer to split the welded points at least for the smaller transformers or buy a band saw for cleaner job.
Hey Thub just the video I've been waiting for. Thanks learned alot from this process . Keep doin the thing.
Great video. I also watch Florida Scrapper, Scrapping with Grandpa, and Scrap and Pallet. Learn from all. Thank you. Be safe.
Be sure to also check out VidVulture
Greetings Thubprint. This was a great informative adventure. Thank you for sharing,passing knowledge/blessings forward yippee. PLEASE be CAREFUL. GOD BLESS you and your family always, family friendly
It's either a fast dime or a slow dollar. It all depends on the person doing the work. Nice video. Keep up the good work!
I have a couple of microwave transformers laying around in case I feel like living dangerously and making a fractal burn generator and have gone through a process that took a hell of a long time in order to get long lengths of wire in order to create copper "trees." Sold a few to buyers who were happy as can be to give me a hundred bucks for a big one since they're way cool and can be found for three or four times as much in an art gallery.
The only tool you need is a hammer flathead screwdriver and the vise
great info and content.thanks my Canadian brother
You would never get #1 for magnet wire(transformer/motor wire). It's insulated with a polyurethane coating. Hence the windings. That is why you need to scratch it or cut it to see if it's aluminum.
After years of scrapping I picked up a hammer drill, removes windings from motors super quick.
I tried it out, never going back!
@@thubprint I have to give you credit. I checked out a Scrap Farm video after your shout out and seen him using one.
I break down any electrical motors that are copper same w transformers and sealed units, I recommend breaking down all of them the copper adds up quick
Very nice video thub! Love it man
Nice work Thub! 👍😊
Way better difference than I would have expected. With that difference it makes sense to break them down. Not sure I like the burning part and think it might even be illegal here in the states, Happy Scrapping
Yeah I don’t see myself burning them either but I felt it was important to cover it because people always want to bring it up. Objectively considering it as an option and local laws aside however, I just don’t see it being time we’ll spent
I prefer using a Sawzall instead of a grinder. You can cut flush to the steel and hit both windings at once. Just my 2 cents
Liking that youre showing the kilograms too
Very cool work!!!!
I have a bunch of small transformers that i get from work that I wanted to scrap that i tried cutting one or two of them that took me just under 5 minutes a piece because they are all pretty decent windings of copper for what the size is. Best part. To my knowledge most of them don’t have paper or glue. If I think of it I’ll come back and tell you how much I get from it
In our country LT EU scrap shops wont take burnt copper cuz its like ilegal not earth friendly way to extract or remove insulation also they can say its like stolen cables from some kind industrial site if its burned of
NJ USA
Phoenix Arizona Tacoma Philadelphia Atlanta LA
i used a chisel, screwdriver, hammer, side cutters, and a lot of time to seperate about 10 transformers into copper and scrap metal...
A lot more controllable when you use the (RIGHT) side of the grinder
More then worth it to me
You can also try soaking them in water for a few minutes before hammering the copper out. Works as a lubricant...
🎯You're using the wrong blade use a diamond blade it will create less dust and it will cut faster and cleaner it's a little bit more expensive but definitely worth it. A good big vise will also help make your job a lot easier 😉
Bro get a big hammer drill and a splat big for the big stuff split them and then hammer out 2 min each
Great video
Thanks!
In fact it would save you a lot of time burning them because you can burn a whole heap of them at once versus you burning one at a time
Solid informational video Thub but I'll admit if asked, that this video isn't going to be in my top 10 favorite unfortunately.
Still a solid video and since I'm always late my opinion really doesn't matter (because I said so lol)
Keep doing the thing.
You know the bigger winding that are covered in plastic crap on it, soak in acetone and that stuff will come right off
I just found your page last night but I am super excited to have discovered this wonderful (and helpful) channel :) I plan on exploring scrapping to see if it is a viable option for me as a side business for me while I make my way through college. I am curious if you report this stuff on taxes though?
Nice, welcome to the channel! Scrapping is a pretty decent side-gig, but a pretty challenging career so I think you’ll do okay. I absolutely report it on my taxes, it’s a significant amount of my income. Legally speaking I think everybody is supposed to but how many actually do, no idea
just beat them with a big'ol hammer right on the welding. Find a flat hard surface first to bang on em.. works everytime for me
Just cut the steel side off and smack the copper frome side to side and you dont need to cut the copper. You just cut the welding on the steel case ;)
good ol thub is the Optimus Prime of transformer vids.......oh oops wrong thing its the other thing great vid anyways!!
Great videos!! Keep them coming!!
Will do! 😊
Hi Thub, must say you are very educational and a very good narrator of your trade. You make it sound like fun but I know that it involves a lot of hands on training to make it a feasible job. Always enjoy your videos. Keep it up.
Wow that was good profit. 👏👏👏❤️
Fun video
the wire connection on the Transformers are Aluminum, i been putting them in a Bucket, since i have to take them off anyway ,,,lol
I love transformers, but man the tear down can be a pain in the butt.
Where does one find such great transformers
I buy my consumables(cutting disk) in bulk online when I can to save.
Nothing wrong with a Little asmr, love the video thub! Long time subscriber from edmonton! :)
Curious, do you know what ASMR really is?
I like recovering copper
i hate those transformers with interlocking W shape steel plates but you make it look easy :P
I don't agree with you using angle grinder when Cu coils can be hammered off because grinders are dangerous, waste metal, & create many small pieces rather than whole Cu coils. Often, using steel wire snips, you can pull apart interlaced steel slats in cores. If Cu wound very tightly & interlaced steel slats are very tight, only then as a last resort, do I use angle grinder. I always use angle grinder to cut welds on core.
Awesome video
nice content here cheers
Thank you!
Thanks for the upload Thub. I'd make it a point to use that respirator though. Can't be to careful. Under 20 bones Canadian for a 3m half face at the right spot last I checked. Regardless, play safe.
Try splitting those with a hatchet and sledgehammer.
Damn good price on copper! Didn’t realize it was that high. I’m not a scrapper but we have a huge spring cleanup happening here next weekend, might get out there and do some copper hunting
I'm not really sure how you get those transformers. Here in the USA they are hoarded like gold! Too many people looking for stuff to take to the scrap yard!
or using sawall blade. Copper is soft so the blade do last pretty long
Hay thub the larger 5he cuting disk thefaster the cut.
Perfect timing for me to see this video. I was debating on if it is worth it or not. I think it is, if I go at them like you did. Do you think boiling the copper would remove the glue? Outside of course, like in a crockpot. That method does work to remove paint from old cabinet hardware. I may just try it today and let you know. I will try to do one to test this but I'm working on getting electronics, microwaves, window AC units and whatever else broken down enough to get rid of the scrap metal. We have already started loading and I just want that bulk metal gone. Spring cleaning
I tried it on high for 24 hours with water only. Also tried it with vinegar. Definitely removed the paper and a some of the glue but really not worth it.
I don't ever find transformers other than cheap aluminum ones
You see, now I can do trash panda. Not just panda lol
Where do you find these transformers? Whats the best place to look?
Doesn't that wire have a varnish coating on it? My yard prices that wire as wire with varnish.
Strip everything, unless you would rather spend your time watching reruns on your cable T.V lol
Hey Thub. Have you ever removed the copper windings from a toroidal transformer? The type that are usually in solar inverters to be precise they have 2 a large one and a small one.
Def worth while, I thoroughly enjoyed the video. By the way, you may want to check out klesh guitars channel he went to new york and vacummed the sidewalk by some jewelry stores and got about 500 bucks worth of gold dust - im sure theres jewelry stores where your at might be worth a scout!! plus it looked fun and really at the end of the day he left it better than he found it by cleaning the sidewalk cracks out. See ya later thub!!
thank you for even saying it in kilos !! then you do not have to recalculate! good and learning as usual! :D
I live in United states. Where can I find transformers to scrap?
The fibrous material in the first one looked a lot like asbestos to me . And the configuration of the transformer seemed quite old .you really should have opted for a real respirator.
I thought so too at first. But I went back and took a closer look, It's most likely fibreglass. (I've dealt with a lot of asbestos here in Western Australia, we have the worst type, the blue asbestos)
Glue and paper is # 2 tar and plastic is dirty copper.
I'm going to having to scrap out my pile of transformers here soon 😅♻ TGIF everyone and don't forget to smash that like button for our favorite trash panda 🐼👍
I will just press the like button, I don’t want to break my phone. 🤣
you cash out at the right time. Dr Copper is not as bright today
Oh no? Crap.. I’ve still got that bin of pipe haha
@@thubprint copper is down 1 USD/lb, maybe better to sit on it and wait for the next price rebound. The spot is reflecting recession fear but supply is still tight