First big scrap operation

Definitely find the dryer and stove circuits and get every bit of wire from those--that will be 30 and 50 amp cable, quite a bit heavier than the regular house wire. And don't forget the main power feed coming inside from the overhead connection into the house...it will be 100 or 200 A rated wire. (Just be sure the utility people have cut the power to the house!!!!)



If the outside feed from the utility is underground, it may be copper, too. Overhead is usually aluminum. But see if you can get that if you can be there when they disconnect. Since the place is due for demo, their instructions will likely be to disconnect at the street, rather than at the house.

Finally, there should be a fairly heavy bare or green insulated ground wire from the main breaker box to one or two ground rods set outside or in the basement. If old enough, the ground rods might be copper!!

The copper in those few heavy feeds may exceed the copper you get from the rest of the house.

Good luck, and please keep us posted!! Photographs!!

Jon.