Results 1 to 6 of 6

Electric motors and transformers

| Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
  1. #1
    coomman started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    2
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Question Electric motors and transformers

    Hello all. Just was curious if anyone separates their motors apart from copper coils and transformers, or just throw it all in one container. I didn't know if some yards will pay more if they're separated. Thanks



  2. #2
    Mick's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Palermo, Me
    Posts
    3,405
    Thanks
    363
    Thanked 3,086 Times in 1,326 Posts
    There's a BIG price difference from copper and electric motors (like $3.25 and $0.25 a pound). If thrown together, you get the lower price for the whole bunch - so you'd get $0.25 times the total weight and lose $3 for each pound of copper. They won't even take transformers.
    People may laugh at me, but that's ok. I laugh all the way to the bank.

  3. #3
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Galena, KS
    Posts
    19
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post
    I have found that to break down the motors and transformers is a lot of work for the copper. I take them in as is for $0.15 a pound.

  4. #4
    Mick's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Palermo, Me
    Posts
    3,405
    Thanks
    363
    Thanked 3,086 Times in 1,326 Posts
    I think I misunderstood the question. I was taking it as as each being separate - electric motors, coils of copper wire and those transformers like on telephone lines. If you're talking about the copper in electric motors, then I'd agree with tristatescrap - not worth the effort. I did the "taking apart motors and alternators" thing when I started. Many hours of work to separate the copper wiring (some actually use aluminum wiring) and clean the cast aluminum for about $100 from maybe 100 alternators/starters. Time better spent finding new markets.

  5. #5
    tjlock's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Central Illinois (Streator)
    Posts
    188
    Thanks
    9
    Thanked 37 Times in 20 Posts
    I normally take motors in as is. Although I have a few that don't look like they are gonna be to hard to get the copper out, but never know until you start it. If all else fails, we are gonna use a dremel and hack it up. lol

  6. #6
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    23
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    if you got bigger transformers like 50+lbs you can get a decent amount of copper from them. i tore up a 200lb transformer and got 70lb of copper. i found the best way for the small medium sized ones like 20-50lb is removed anything you can like if it has the side metal plates so its just the bare steel and copper. make a fire and put the transformers over the fire on a grill or grate not direcly in the fire. get them nice and hot but dont let them burn up then toss them in a bucket of cold water. once there cool you an knock the metal plates out pretty easily then your left with a copper core. sometimes theres multiple windings wrapped in apper just unwind it and roll into bundles. another way is find a good solid hard surface and bash them with a sledge hammer then pull off any plates you can with pliers then smash it some more. if you got a source of heavy industrial transfomers then you can get alot of copper out of them.


  7. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. Electric Motors
      By JunkSquad in forum Dismantling, Breaking Down & Maximizing Scrap
      Replies: 22
      Last Post: 12-05-2012, 09:43 AM
    2. Copper To Iron Ratio in Transformers/Electric Motors
      By Jeremiah in forum General Electronics Recycling
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 05-14-2012, 10:50 AM
    3. electric motors
      By crysknife in forum Dismantling, Breaking Down & Maximizing Scrap
      Replies: 21
      Last Post: 04-20-2012, 08:52 PM
    4. electric motors
      By tjtat in forum More than Scrap Value
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 04-28-2011, 05:00 AM
    5. Electric motors
      By C.M.HUNTER in forum Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 03-30-2011, 02:01 AM

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook