Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 21 to 28 of 28

Breaking down an electric motor for copper - Page 2

| Dismantling, Breaking Down & Maximizing Scrap
  1. #21
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Lafayette, LA
    Posts
    14
    Thanks
    6
    Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts
    The motors I have pulled apart are from pool pumps. The weird thing was that the copper windings were not copper. It looked like an aluminum winding with a varnish on it. I am still a noob, but I take it is not the same thing right?



  2. #22
    Mechanic688's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Warsaw , Ind. In the heart of the lakes, and down the street from the hotel where Al Capone stayed.
    Posts
    9,568
    Thanks
    11,247
    Thanked 10,730 Times in 4,728 Posts
    If you can, reach in a snip a strand and if it's alum. in the middle then leave the motor intact and sell as is. If it's copper then you have a choice to sell as is or retrieve the copper.
    P & M Recycling - Specializing in E-Waste Recycling.
    If you enjoy your freedom, thank a vet.

  3. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Mechanic688:


  4. #23
    greytruck's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Thornton, Illinois
    Posts
    1,873
    Thanks
    1,638
    Thanked 1,733 Times in 893 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by miked View Post
    I think I figured out how to post pictures. Here is my break down of the four smaller motors.



    Here is a link of the break down of the motors above, Mike.

    http://s597.photobucket.com/albums/t...medium%20mtrs/
    Miked, Great idea of using a chisel on those newer style motors. I have a few i was putting off cause i didnt want to unwind them. Ganna give it a try!!!

  5. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by greytruck:


  6. #24
    Scrapper473's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Fresno, California
    Posts
    12
    Thanks
    15
    Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
    Yes very informational thanks. I have been tearing up appliances lately for the moters. (one of them being a thrift store heater I got for Christmas.) I turned it on for the first time went to sleep and felt for some reason to wake up and saw it was on fire.) And it is suprising how many things have moters.

  7. #25
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Apr 2013
    Location
    western ny
    Posts
    83
    Thanks
    134
    Thanked 123 Times in 56 Posts
    I have found that it is not profitable enough to break down motors and such for copper, based on return. I do not even separate motors out. I’m small scale so others may have different options/opinions. Shred price vs motor price vs copper price vs time........only you can decide . And learn.

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to btkr for This Post:


  9. #26
    nutpie's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Feb 2014
    Location
    maine
    Posts
    441
    Thanks
    379
    Thanked 404 Times in 227 Posts
    I want to update the pricing as follows:

    Price from the original post -

    So it started out at 27.8 LBS at $.41/lb = $11.40
    Broke down we had 3.5 lbs of copper at $3.50/lb = $12.25
    .25 lbs of cast alliminum at $.52 = $.13
    24 lbs of steel at $.10/lbs = $2.40
    Total after tear down is $14.78 for a difference of $3.38

    Price today - (actually price is from a few months ago, and may vary by location)

    So it started out at 27.8 LBS at $.12/lb = $3.33
    Broke down we had 3.5 lbs of copper at $1.90/lb = $6.65
    .25 lbs of cast aluminum at $.12 = $.03
    24 lbs of steel at $.0365/lbs = $.87
    Total after tear down is $7.55 for a difference of $4.22

    Big difference between the two percentage wise. You can more than double your money now. (correct my math if I am wrong anywhere)

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to nutpie for This Post:


  11. #27
    hills's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    1,351
    Thanks
    797
    Thanked 1,276 Times in 721 Posts
    Then:

    Total after teardown : 14.78 $

    Now:

    Total after teardown: 7.55 $

    It's the same amount of work for half the pay. Thanks for the update N.P.

  12. #28
    Chaser1's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Orlando Florida
    Posts
    37
    Thanks
    6
    Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts
    Wow??? Just read this post of yours from back in 2011. Might just be the single best tip i've read here since joining this forum! Using the oil from the compressors (or within the cut radiators) to "grease" and loosen the cooper windings, might just be the trick for a much easier task of removing the windings from all the electric motors I get. Thanks!!

    Quote Originally Posted by injunjoe View Post
    Also a nice job! When I run into bolts that refuse to come out from being snipped off during installation or just rust and abuse, I just go ahead and cut outer jacket and peel apart. Then you can just use bolt cutters on all four of the bolts. The rest pretty much falls apart for ya.

    Most of those motors you have in photo are condenser fan motors. I find they are exposed to the weather more then the air handler and tend to be a bit harder to pull the windings out! This is where my "recycled" saved up compressor oil comes into play! I Like to " baste" them in a shallow dish with my saved up "marinade" after I cut the one side and find them being a problem. That make the copper slide out'athere like ..............

    Hope this helps!


  13. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. Breaking down a 90lb motor
      By miked in forum Dismantling, Breaking Down & Maximizing Scrap
      Replies: 16
      Last Post: 03-06-2013, 08:15 PM
    2. Electric motor
      By Mick in forum A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
      Replies: 11
      Last Post: 10-27-2012, 05:06 PM
    3. Electric Trolling Motor
      By scrapmommyof3 in forum Dismantling, Breaking Down & Maximizing Scrap
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 03-22-2012, 08:57 PM
    4. electric motor copper
      By devo in forum Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
      Replies: 9
      Last Post: 02-10-2012, 11:46 PM
    5. Electric Motor Copper Windings
      By Pronto Hauling in forum Dismantling, Breaking Down & Maximizing Scrap
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 12-01-2011, 08:14 PM

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 2 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 2 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