Reminder about whether to strip wire or not

**IronPirate** · 02-20-2012, 10:29 PM

I just read something today that said burning copper wire reduces the weight (of the copper itself) by about 30%.

Article didn't explain how or why.

**sjones99** · 02-21-2012, 08:04 AM

When you burn wire you will also lose weight due to the wire losing its strength from the heat and it can become brittle and just turn to ashes.

**Dumpster-Dee** · 02-21-2012, 09:36 AM

Kris Kringle does not need defending...but since he hasn't chimed in I'll say this....the post in which he admitted to burning wire is over a year old. After discussing this ad nauseum, he may have discontinued this method. Please refrain from dissing our Kris Kringle until you learn that he has continued that practice. He is a valued and respected member of this forum. I would like to urge newer members to take note of the dates of posts and threads before you post.

**skylinejack** · 02-21-2012, 12:56 PM

Well said, Dee. Well said.

**usopen2003** · 11-06-2017, 08:23 AM

I mostly burn copper wires, especially so thin

I'm new to this, so this was the simplest method, but I was always wondering when the wires were burned is it lose weight?

In my country the cost of burnished and peeled copper is exactly the same.
This is a new rule that lasts for longer than a year.
In the period before that the price of peeled and burned was huge difference today the price are the same so it is the easiest to burn

If anyone please tell me if I'm wrong when I burn it instead of stripping it, except for air pollution and my lungs

**hobo finds** · 11-06-2017, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by usopen2003

I mostly burn copper wires, especially so thin

I'm new to this, so this was the simplest method, but I was always wondering when the wires were burned is it lose weight?

In my country the cost of burnished and peeled copper is exactly the same.
This is a new rule that lasts for longer than a year.
In the period before that the price of peeled and burned was huge difference today the price are the same so it is the easiest to burn

If anyone please tell me if I'm wrong when I burn it instead of stripping it, except for air pollution and my lungs

What is the price selling it as is? Yes you lose weight striping and burning, so do the math... I would think only worth it for larger wires

**eesakiwi** · 11-07-2017, 03:06 AM

Originally Posted by usopen2003

I mostly burn copper wires, especially so thin

I'm new to this, so this was the simplest method, but I was always wondering when the wires were burned is it lose weight?

In my country the cost of burnished and peeled copper is exactly the same.
This is a new rule that lasts for longer than a year.
In the period before that the price of peeled and burned was huge difference today the price are the same so it is the easiest to burn

If anyone please tell me if I'm wrong when I burn it instead of stripping it, except for air pollution and my lungs

Well, I found in general that I got 66% Copper return in weight from plastic coated wire after burning it off.
My source was car wiring looms, and I was cutting the plugs off, cutting all of the outer plastic sheith(s) off and cutting all of the little Brass connectors off.
Basically I was burning off clean plastic coated bright Copper wire (not 'Tinned' wire)
And that was with good clean burning, quick, clean and cooled directly after burning, and then washed again after that.
Lots and lots and lots of work..

These days, if you sell the Looms direct out of the vehicle, no cleaning down and cutting off insulation/plugs etc. Just 'rip it out and chuck it into a sack' and sell it.

It goes to China, they have huge mills there that chop it up and sort it, they make $$ off every part of it, the plastic from the plugs, the Brass plugs connections, the plastic from the insulation, they get better $$ for the Copper as its bright bare and clean Copper wire.

In the end, you are actually getting your Copper $ value, they make their $ because they process in bulk, huge amounts, their wages are low, their overheads are low, the Copper is top grade, and they sell the plastic for a profit.

**usopen2003** · 11-06-2017, 09:11 AM

3.85 dollar for kg copper

is the price fair?

**hobo finds** · 11-06-2017, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by usopen2003

3.85 dollar for kg copper

is the price fair?

Price for un stripped or burnt?

**Otto** · 11-06-2017, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by usopen2003

3.85 dollar for kg copper

is the price fair?

It depends on what the available competition is paying. Contact other buyers in your area and you will soon see whether or not the price offered is fair.

**usopen2003** · 11-06-2017, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Otto

It depends on what the available competition is paying. Contact other buyers in your area and you will soon see whether or not the price offered is fair.

Only one house buying metals in my small country and gypsies who pay better

**hobo finds** · 11-06-2017, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by usopen2003

Only one house buying metals in my small country and gypsies who pay better

**usopen2003** · 11-06-2017, 11:49 AM

as I wrote before the price in my country was the same cleaned or burned
3.85 usd for kg

And just to say if I go to the scrap yard I get some 3 .20 usd and after tax I get less than 3 usd

so now my metal is sold to Gypsies who pay 3.85. per kg of copper

I was always interested in how much a gypsy earns when he sells it and what he gets for a kilo and I wonder who he is selling it because an authorized house as I said has less than 3 usd and he gives me 3.85.

**usopen2003** · 11-06-2017, 08:36 PM

3.85 for kg fair or not...?

LOL picture

**jimicrk** · 11-07-2017, 02:00 AM

If that's the highest price you can get, what else can you do?

**usopen2003** · 11-07-2017, 08:44 AM

I do not think you understand the question well

I wonder if the same cable is lit or peeled to give the same amount of kg.

By the process of burning if copper as a metal loses weight, the plastic mass around the cable makes it clear that it disappears by burning ...

For example, do 100 kg of wire give me the same amount of copper ignited or peeled off or I will peel it to give more weight

: D

**miked** · 11-07-2017, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by usopen2003

I do not think you understand the question well

I wonder if the same cable is lit or peeled to give the same amount of kg.

By the process of burning if copper as a metal loses weight, the plastic mass around the cable makes it clear that it disappears by burning ...

For example, do 100 kg of wire give me the same amount of copper ignited or peeled off or I will peel it to give more weight

: D

Burning off the insulation is unlawful in the US and Canada(well certainly in nearly everwhere in the US and Canada). Having said that question yourself if burning is really best for you. Burning will introduce chemicals into your body that will affect you more and more.

Burning of the insulation will certainly be hot enough to consume small amounts of Cu. How much time do you use burning it and picking it backup to finally take it to the scrap yard? Could you better use that time to find more scrap, get more education to better run your business.

I think you may be chasing pennies while you could be picking up dollars(or Kunas in your case). I'm glad you're a member of the forum and look forward to read about your journey. 73, Mike