Copper Transformers - Page 2

Originally Posted by BDAScrapper

I always break these down no matter how big or small, after some attempts the best way I've found is to take a hammer and break them apart,
you will notice that the unit, |_{|}_| (the brackets are the copper, straight lines are the metal prongs that hold it in place)!has a metal cap welded along the top holding it all together.
With a solid hammer (I use 5lb lump) striking the weld in a glancing blow (down and away from the copper coil) will break the weld after one to three hits allowing you to punch out the retaining bracket.
you end up with a neat little copper coil that's easy to clean up (tape, plastic) and whatever metal is leftover, steel, iron etc....
The only issue I've found with this is one tricky little bugger, that has the |__|__| going one way and then the other... These have flat spacers in between, once you bang them out the retainers come out easy.

Hope this helps with my little keyboard pics.

This same basic method works equally as well on those transformers weighing in between 5 and 20 pounds. Instead of the hammer, I use a wood splitting maul. Striking the weld with the sharpened side of the splitting head. Safety glasses, etc. are mandatory. When these puppies go flying watch out! Your head might be the great beyond in this case. Where did I hear that phrase recently....hmmmm. It's not important.