im a new scrapper and need help

[scrappergirl4200]

well i have taken apart a lot of appliances and came
acrossed this spool of copper wraped in tape with what
resymbols a real heavy steel square around it
can someone tell me how to get the copper out of those
and what are they? please and ty

[maxa]

Check out jackshmuc eather here or on youtube Should help

[newattitude]

those are transformers. If you dont have an air chisel, set the transformer on the floor. At the weld up against the copper spool set an ax. Use a short armed sledge hammer to whack the ax. A few good whacks and the one side of the transformer will come apart and you can get the copper spool out. sometimes I just cant get them apart and I turn them in as is. If you have a vise big enough to hold the transformer while you whack it - even better!!

[newattitude]

http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/showt...t=transformers

heres a video showing you how to use those tools to take one apart - its at about 2:50 or so into the video where he shows how he does it. This works!!

[Dumpster-Dee]

Hi scrappergirl....welcome to the forum. There are several threads here that answer that question for you. Type in tranformers in the search feature and it will direct you to a thread on getting the copper out. There is also a video by Jackshmuck, but I don't recommend that you use that method unless you have experience in another trade involving tools. Also, we'd like to get to know you. We have an introduction section and I'd like to invite you to tell us a little about yourself there.

[Dumpster-Dee]

I see that three of us were typing at the same time...you'll get your answer !

[wildbillhappy]

More than likely it's a transformer or type of relay . I just put them in with elec.motors , as seperating the wire from the tape is not cost effective how ever if it is a solid coil of wire just cut some of the wire and it should begin to unravel with out to much problem. I still put those kind in the elec. motor bucket. Hope this helps. wb

[wildbillhappy]

Hello Dee I think four of us were typing at the same time.

[scrappergirl4200]

thank you to all im about to watch the video now ill let you all know
what i think,,,lol

[Mechanic688]

At the weld up against the copper spool set an ax. Use a short armed sledge hammer to whack the ax. A few good whacks and the one side of the transformer will come apart and you can get the copper spool out.

If you do it this way, wear good eye protection as your likely to have a steel chip come flying off one of those tools like shrapnel. Their not made to smack together, their both a hi-grade steel. You could use a hammer and chisel.

[newattitude]

Mechanic, the ax I use has a flat head on the opposite side like a hammer head so I'm not hitting a sharp edge against a flat edge - its two flat sides hitting together. Or are you saying those flat sides could still break a pice off when hitting together? I do wear glasses anyways but if the OP doesn't wear glasses they could at least wear some sunglasses if they dont have safety glasses.

[BiggerHammer]

If you have already seen the video. The transformers in the video are from microwaves. What you have described sounds to me to be a smaller transformer. The transformers that have the copper wrapped in a yellow taped are too time consuming for me to scrap. (not cost efficient - time is money) Though I did have to learn the hard way & scrap a few to learn this.. LOL Instead I put them in my CBM pile (Copper Bearing Motor) pile and get paid around 15 cents per pound. Because of the heavy steel square around it they do add up quickly! Hope this helps!

[Dumpster-Dee]

The weld is the key....if it doesn't have a weld this method won't work. (I mean if the metal is complete or something that looks like tiny slices vs. welded together)

[newattitude]

If you have already seen the video. The transformers in the video are from microwaves. What you have described sounds to me to be a smaller transformer. The transformers that have the copper wrapped in a yellow taped are too time consuming for me to scrap. (not cost efficient - time is money) Though I did have to learn the hard way & scrap a few to learn this.. LOL Instead I put them in my CBM pile (Copper Bearing Motor) pile and get paid around 15 cents per pound. Because of the heavy steel square around it they do add up quickly! Hope this helps!

Yeah, depends on how that tape is wrapped in the transformer the OP has. Sometimes the copper is wrapped in tape in many many layers - i dont take those apart. But if the tape is just on the outside of the copper spool those are worth taking apart.

scrappergirl - if you get the spools out be sure to cut the wire and see if its actually copper or aluminum. I have had transformers that have one spool of copper and one of aluminum, some with two spools of aluminum and some with two spools of copper. So be sure to check what kind of wire you have after you get it out.

[Dumpster-Dee]

With all due respect to newattitude, I would suggest that you scratch the wire BEFORE you try to take it out....if it's all AL, don't bother.

[Mechanic688]

its two flat sides hitting together. Or are you saying those flat sides could still break a piece off when hitting together?

Yes, like I stated (you can google it) they are both hi-grade steel and can chip pieces off, does not mean it will; just could happen. Be forewarned, that's all,,

[EcoSafe]

another tamer method is to cut one side of the copper loup off with an angle grinder or saw and punch out the rest of the copper. this is my prefered method. im too old to chase the transformer arround when you dont hit it squarely with the ax. also sooner or later almost every one says Ill just try to hold this one with my fingers while I whack it with the ax.

[IdahoScrapper]

An angle grinder with a thin cutoff slices nicely through these things.

[injunjoe]

On the small transformers I cut one side with a sharp wood chisel then flip it over and tap a screwdriver under the windings then just pry up on the wire.
No muss no fuss.

I have yet to take a load to the yard and have any motor grade scrap. Copper fluctuates a great deal but what they pay for motors does not.

[ozzy214]

I just take any and all transformers and throw them in my hillbilly death machine aka the INCINERATOR>>>HE HEH!1 Then after 2 mins of copper the copper just falls out into a nice pile. Speaking of which I got to go burn some snow out and sift the ashes from yesterdays run.....