Beginner's diary

Some motors are worth breaking down, some are not. anything with AL windings is not. As far as copper content, its something you have to get a feel for. As you break down more and more you will begin to understand which ones are worth the time for a few dollars and which ones are not. Experience is the key.



Other people's estimates are good but each motor is made different. there is an average range, but its not a set number. the best answer would be something like "15%-30%" depending on the model. but only you would know from the feel of it and what it looks like. Good luck!

Thank you very much for all your opinions

Mick: yes, em = electromotor, cu = copper

DD: yes, I know the search option, I am studying old threads in a little time I have left now. I am fully working with my mentor these days, for free, just to learn how he does it. If I can trust him? I am still not sure myself. He shares a lot of knowledge with me. Only problem I have is, that he wanted to lend money. He is addicted to his job and he has a problem to let pass any earning possibility. He is still buying welding machines, em, pianos, old furniture also (he deals with antic) and I can understand why he needs money, even when he is quite rich, when he sells it all. I think I describe something many of you know very good, when you start to use all the possibilites how to get the scrap things. He is stopping his car whenever he sees an old car, pile of steel, any house that is being repaired, any house that is being for sale (he just ask the real estate sales person, if the house is free to clean and usually the owner is very happy - he scored many welding machines this way for free, among other things) - I am sure I describe something you know very well. He is investing quite much money each week into an advertisement - offering to buy ems, welding machines, cars. The problem I have with him is just that he is unpredictable, his time/place promises are always broken and the same with money - he is promising to pay me 10% more with my money I have lend him... I will see. Maybe you are laughing now, that I am stupid to trust him But I see it, that he is explaining me all his knowledge also because of lending him money.

Btw, he taught me how to burn the cu from ems, so the white wire wasn't aluminium, it would melted - it is probably cu, just white, as I have read in an old threads.

I am happy to see how easy it is to get the stuff. Today, we were cleaning a construction place. He just stopped and ask the boss if he can clean the rubbish - no problem, all for free, just not being lazy and ask. In 3 hours, we got $180 and a lot of burning wood (for burning the ems and other stuff) - and there's 5x more like this.
Now, whenever I see any construction, I won't hesitate to ask, I can imagine many opportunities just from this.

Another good move was from starting a good partnership with employee at local rubbish yard (not sure about right US term - just the place where people through their rubbish for free). I am not sure how you look at these things, but I am giving little money to this employee and he is leaving me interesting stuff. I like that I pay him in natural products like hard liquor, honey, apples, eggs - all made at home, by our family - I just like it, better feeling than paying with the cash and I can make other jobs (bees, growing fruit trees etc.) profitable this way.

Today I took 2 TVs, 1 computer, 1 gramophone, 1 humidifier. I am not sure about the last two, I need to learn what's inside of them.