Sujestions on Scrapping Computer wire

I have a number of different size wires out of many different things (If it plugs-in I Scrap it........ printers, computers, TVs, Monitors, Microwaves)

In regards to my wire from most things I just sell it as dirty insulated wire but the yard gives me .70 cents/pound and offers $2.20/pound for copper wire. I'm thinking that it might be worth it to strip the wire...



What is the best way to strip the wire (mainly the small gauge wire that is used for fans and that) and all the other wires in the computer


I have a place that I take all my computer scrap to but think I can get more by scrapping the wire for copper

I am a college student with little money but do go though a lot of this small gauge wire..... so if you sujest something keep this in mind please and post a link to if you are talking about a tool or that

Thanks
Saturninin

Saturninin, dont take offense by Mechanics response. It would be a typical response by most of us, including myself. This forum encourages folks new to the scrapping world (me included) to gain as much valuable and available knowledge right here. You'll find everything you need right at your finger tips and in front of your eyes. But you will be taken more seriously if you introduce yourself and put effort into finding information which is already widely available. Keep in mind a good majority of the people on here willing to provide valuable answers to many questions have figured out those answers from years of hard work being a scrapper. And even though they are all great people, they dont want to give out all the secrets of the trade to just anybody passing by. if youre serious about scrapping, spend time reading previous posts it will only improve the way you scrap, save you time and money. If you would have spent a couple minutes searching out your question you would have had zero problems finding it and additional links that will interest you beyond your initial question. Good luck.

I don't strip small gauge wire,I don't have time and I'm sure you would do better selling your wire as insulated copper and spend the time you save on your studies until you finish school.The only wire my yards don't buy is the gray ribbon cable from the computer towers, some of the buyers on this forum will buy it.

Originally Posted by happyscraper

I don't strip small gage wire,I don't have time and I'm sure you would do better selling your wire as insolated copper and spend the time you save on your studies untill you finich school.The only wire my yards don't buy is the gray ribben cable from the computer towers, some of the buyers on this forum will buy it.

Thank you all for your response and this is what I was thinking that it was not worth the time to strip it with it being so small

The first consideration is the yeild. Most computer wire is arounf 45% max yeild. So if you have 100 pounds of wire, you will get 45 pounds of copper.

100 pounds at $70.00

or 45 pounds @ $2.60 = $117.00

You would make an extra $47.00 on the stripping efforts which in my opinion would be brutal at best. So if you are in college if you have taken Economics yet the time spent may lead you to a point of diminishing returns. You may be better off using the time to use the technology at your disposal to further your collection efforts. The Opportunity Cost of stripping the wire is the time lost for other income producing activities. Use your time to the best of your ability. Pitt gave me a print allowance when I was there. See if yours will allow you to print some flyers. Use them generate more e-waste. And remember more than scrap is always a good cash producer. See what you can sell on campus or ebay for going for the quick buck.

Good luck.

Happy... what are you getting for your computer wire up there or are you bringing it into Tampa? If you dont mind me asking

I have been bring it to a place just north of St. Pete and been getting 1.00 per lb. I strip the thicker wire.

i strip all my wire, on ebay there are some great hand held ones for $40 which you can make your own to but for me i can do if smoking and chilling watching tv about 20lbs an hours just use having fun