Do you break down copper transformers? - Page 2

If you have transformers that are welded and not the overlapped E & I style, I set a hatchet on the weld and wack it with a bfh. Couple good swings on the edge and it busts open. I do it on a rubber mat.



I think I got the idea from a Jack the Scrapper video. Its well worth it to bust them apart. Most of them are usually half AL and half CU. Some are all CU.

Most of the transformers I get like that come out of microwaves and the mercury vapor lights.

I like my horizontal band saw.

Originally Posted by jimicrk

I like my horizontal band saw.

How many TPI ( teeth per inch ) yea a fine tooth blade works but be careful of a dull blade.

Originally Posted by alloy2

how many tpi ( teeth per inch ) yea a fine tooth blade works but be careful of a dull blade.

18 tpi.

Originally Posted by jimicrk

18 tpi.

I'm going to bring my Makita 4 1/2" angle grinder into what I believe is like one of their headquarters it something. All it says on the building is "Makita" and I'm going to plug it in and when it begins smoking I'm going g to ask them where do I put my lips so I can take a toke off of it. I hope they chuckle and hand me a new one. I mean they shouldn't get Pissy about joking around with the hitting it like a bong comment since this is Colorado and all.

triangular rat tail file, cold chisel, and a 3lb sledgehammer will do the trick just fine

i mostly break down 600V+ (mostly industrial) welded copper transformer that have at least 2 pound of copper per units. In street collecting, Some old microwave transformers can worth the time also but not the new ones,it's the only think that I can collect in garbage that worth to be break down. Also few industrial transformer box (a couple of hundreds pounds per units) can worth break down but I've never did those because I sell it as it on classified adds each time i pick one .

small transformers don't worth the time for me, but if you agreed to work for china labor price, go ahead =)

I made sure I knew how to work faster, cause time of breaking apart is... well we all know it doesn't help the profit

Fastest way for me without speciality processing equipment is to cut off one copper end with a bandsaw or sawzall then prybar the remaining copper out.

Originally Posted by CopperMiner

For something the size of microwave transformer or larger, that's what I usually do, if I cannot break the weld. The issue is that I am stuck with a bucket of smaller 2"-3" ones from PCBs and the steel things are usually interlaced (It won't work if I can't punch on the weld). It would s*ck to give them away at what's paid for transformers (almost shred price).

With the small ones I usually just whack them a few times on the sides with a hammer until they separate a bit, then start pulling the fins out with pliers. Once I get a few out it usually gets much easier but I usually have to whack it once or twice after to break a few stubborn ones free. I have tons of time though so I don't know if it's the best way, it's just a bit cleaner than grinding or cutting and I have the time.