The difference between number 1 and number 2 copper.
Вставка
- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- The difference between number 1 and number 2 copper.
Number one copper and number two copper are classifications used in the scrap metal industry to differentiate between different qualities of copper scrap.
Number one copper, also known as bright copper, is the highest quality grade of copper scrap. It is clean, uncoated, and free of any impurities or attachments. Number one copper typically consists of solid copper wire, tubing, or pipes without any paint, solder, or other contaminants. This grade of copper fetches a higher price at scrap yards due to its purity and quality.
On the other hand, number two copper, also known as copper scrap, is a lower grade of copper scrap that may have some impurities or attachments present. This can include items such as copper wire with insulation, copper tubing with solder joints, or copper pipes with paint or other coatings. Number two copper is less valuable than number one copper due to the additional processing required to remove impurities and contaminants.
In summary, number one copper is clean, pure, and valuable, while number two copper is lower in quality and may require additional processing. When collecting and recycling copper scrap, it's important to separate and classify the different grades to ensure you receive the best price for your materials.
How to find more copper.
Southern Metal Recycling
HWY 421 Wilmington NC.
oin this channel to get access to perks:
/ @scrappingwithgrandpa
Here are some viral keywords and phrases related to the topic "The Difference Between Number 1 and Number 2 Copper":
Keywords:
1. Copper recycling
2. Scrap copper
3. Copper grades
4. Number 1 copper
5. Number 2 copper
6. Copper pricing
7. Scrap metal
8. Copper wire
9. Copper tubing
10. Metal recycling
Long-Tail Keywords:
1. "Copper recycling prices per pound"
2. "Difference between #1 and #2 copper"
3. "Copper scrap metal grading"
4. "Number 1 copper vs Number 2 copper"
5. "Copper wire recycling"
6. "Scrap copper tubing prices"
7. "Copper recycling near me"
8. "Copper market trends"
9. "Copper recycling process"
10. "Scrap metal copper prices today"
Hashtags:
1. #CopperRecycling
2. #ScrapCopper
3. #CopperGrades
4. #Number1Copper
5. #Number2Copper
6. #CopperPricing
7. #ScrapMetal
8. #CopperWire
9. #CopperTubing
10. #MetalRecycling
Social Media Post Ideas:
1. "Did you know? #1 copper is 99% pure!"
2. "Unlock higher profits: understand copper grading"
3. "Top 5 differences between #1 and #2 copper"
4. "Get the best price for your scrap copper"
5. "Copper market update: prices soaring!"
Influencer Collaboration Ideas:
1. Partner with scrap metal influencers for copper recycling tips.
2. Collaborate with metal recycling experts for industry insights.
3. Feature copper recycling success stories.
4. Host a "Copper Recycling Webinar".
5. Develop a "Copper Recycling Guide" eBook.
UA-cam Video Titles:
1. "COPPER RECYCLING 101: #1 vs #2"
2. "The Difference Between #1 and #2 Copper"
3. "Copper Recycling Prices Explained"
4. "How to Identify #1 and #2 Copper"
5. "Copper Recycling Process: From Scrap to Pure"
These viral keywords and phrases will help you create engaging content and attract viewers interested in copper recycling, scrap metal, and metal recycling.
Thank you so very much for this lesson! My Dad, who now has Dementia, always did this His barn has so many old motors, copper pipes and bundles of old wires. I never did know the differences between #1 bare bright or #2, etc. now I have a clear picture so I can carry on what he was doing. Great video!! 👍
I’m glad to help
Sorry to hear about your dad. Dementia is not fun.
Thank you for your kind words. No, not fun at all.
Thanks for teaching everyone how to separate your copper for more money u did an amazing job I learned alot from this video
I hope I taught somebody something I learned it from somebody else
You did pretty good for introductory scrapper you're going to want to separate the copper pipe from The Wire they're classified as two different scrap classes wire and pipe
You don't know how much you helped me here
It makes a big difference if you know what goes where
@@ScrappingwithGrandpa I toataly agree how have you been lately
Thank you so much, this was the best explanation i have seen
Glad it was helpful!
#1 is at least 1/16th inch in diameter. #2 is less than 1/16th in diameter. If #1, but has paint or solder, then it's #2.
True
Great way to explain the difference. Thanks Grandpa! I'm a subscriber now.
Thanks for the sub
Can I send you stickers
@@ScrappingwithGrandpa Absolutely. Thanks!
Thanks! Sorting cooper today and really not knowing what I was doing. Gotta go through it again now.
Glad it helped!
That was a nice refresher! Thanks. I struggle with times at knowing which is #1 or #2. I've done better lately, and it's helped me fill a 55 gallon barrel of extention, and 2 35 gallon barrels of #1 and #2.
I wish I had that much I don’t have quite that much but I’m working on it
Most of it's un-stripped so it'll shrink down a lot I'm sure. Lol.
I’m starting to think that Romax is not worth stripping take out the one metal wire and put the other two wires in a bucket not worth stripping I just turned in mine today I spent eight hours stripping copper for $124 not worth it I will never do it again
I strip mine still, but it's just because I do it in the evenings when I'm caught up or stuff like that. It's just a side hobby type thing.
That was the best explanation of number 1 and 2 that I have ever heard. Thanks for explaining Grandpa !!
Glad to help
He's wrong. #1 is stiff, and #2 is bendy. It has nothing to do with wire thickness.
Wow this video was awesome u helped me out alot I’m sure also helped out others just like me knowledge is power appreciate u liked n subbed
Glad it helped
This video absolutely made several things clear for me. Thanks for the help. 🙃
Glad it helped!
That small peice of thick tarnish house wire peice goes into number 1 with your clean copper pipes. Ive learn this when I was 12 years old, great Video👍
Jimbo told me that. I thought so but was not sure. Now I know for sure. 12 wow. That’s awesome. I’m 60. Still learning.
Great explanation video Drew
So many people get Copper confused
Not all yards of the same
I have worked up north and I can tell you what I've taken lots of AC's apart fully,get them properly drained,took the coils out,the rads,and opened up the compressors.
I got a really good trick to getting copper out of the aluminum rads.
Now with their scale it dont matter if I deliver it to them in a cardboard box,a popcorn tin, small plastic plastic wash bucket,they weigh the box,the bucket,etc and it's like 2 pounds.
No way!
And I know for a fact a small cardboard box dont weigh that much.
It's happened to me many of times,they are crooks,with the scale.
I will bring it to them in a cloth bag,
Weigh everything on a good digital scale,without a box,then weight your box before you bring it to them.
If you wanna know the truth...they say "Put that box on the cale,dont dump it."
They make their money by overweighing the container you bring it in.
I have a feeling I lose money every time I go to the scrapyard
great explanation gramps much appreciated..
Glad it was helpful!
Good breakdown and explanation of copper grades, ty
Glad it was helpful!
I haven't found a copper transformer in a microwave in years
I’d say it’s been at least two years for me since I found one
Helpful video! thanks keep them coming
A lot of people get copper mixed up
This must be down copper head road! Great video and info CheeRs 🤘🏻♻️🤘🏻
Navajo Road but that’ll work
@@ScrappingwithGrandpa haha!
Good morning my friend!
Good morning Miss Gloria
Does the plastic and ties have to come off of a motor winding to maintain its #2 classification?
No. I leave all the plastic on and they still give me number two.
Grandpa, your tutorial video is the best 🎉
Thank you so much 😀
10:53 that's a reversing valve comes off a heat pump air conditioner only and they are made from brass with steel plates inside of them. and it's very easy to make them clean yellow brass
I would like to thank you very much I am just starting to scrap and that was very informational for me and it also is very helpful as I am trying to understand what is what when it comes to scrap.
Thank you I enjoyed your video
Glad it was helpful! If you need help call me
Very helpful with the pencil lead visual. Thanks Drew
Judy I am the kind of person that learns by sight. Some times it’s the best way. I’m still learning everyday. Thank you for watching and commenting. Your the best.
I use my set of measuring calipers to determine if #1 or #2 cu wire
4:42. Yards normally will buy that as bare bright and not #2. They don't really care if it's smaller than a pencil lead unless it's very thin in gauge.
Really. Mine says it needs to be as big as a pencil in or nothing
@@ScrappingwithGrandpa Mine says the same thing but they allow gauges like that as bare bright. Since it is solid wire and not thin or hairy wire.
Scrapyards requirements are different everywhere. Best just to go to the one you plan on selling to and ask their requirements and definitions. To state bluntly "this is how it is" on a global platform like youtube is completely pointless.
@@rossbrumby1957 Our grades of copper are base off ISRI Scrap Specs.
16 gauge is #1. I bought a pair of cheap wire cutters that has a gauge on it. If it's accurate those twisted wires at 7:15 you left in #2 barrel are #1 copper. If you get a gauge correct me if I'm wrong, because after all I'm looking at a vid so it might distort them a little.
I've been stripping down electric cords or coax cable for like your internet or cable TV I strip it all the way down to the wire so from what I'm gathering from what you're saying the coax cable would be number one and then the wire from electric cords would be number two or are they both one
The wire from the electric cords are definitely number two because it’s fine wire. The only way you’re going to get number one wire is from house wiring you can get bare bright for that. If you strip it anything smaller than a pencil lead would be number two I think that’s what you’re asking.
@@ScrappingwithGrandpa awesome thank you What about from coax cables The cables Your cable TV I've stripped them down they're thicker obviously and they look like they'd be about as thick as pencil lead with those be number one
Thanks for the reminder. Good information!
Thank you for watching
If you melted the Cooper #2 down and turned it in as one solid piece, would it be copper #1 or #2?
Copper #1
Very good 👍
Thank you 👍
Thank you for sharing brother keep up the great job
I’m glad you stopped by to watch road hog
I told you if I could help I would try to watch everything you put out your awesome thank you for sharing every day you can with us
Thank you 🙏
Great video and info
Thank you Silver I’m trying
Thanks Grandpa. The only thing i wasnt to sure about was that number 2 copper pipe can be mixed with number 2 copper wire 👍
Yes, it definitely can
His number 2 barrel can be considered number 1 or bare bright not all of the copper but damn near all of it maybe it’s cause we go to different scrap yards but if I took his number 2 barrel to my scrap yard I could definitely get number one even some being bare bright
I wish. Anytime I bring anything in less the pencil size I get #2
Great video brother
I was hoping you might answer that question
@@ScrappingwithGrandpa that's #1 copper for me all day long
thank you for this video i have been doing small scrapping and was not sure how to classify my copper, so almost all my copper is #2 copper !
I’m glad to help. Fine copper is always no 2. Pipes are no 1
Anything with sauder on it is 2
The piece of copper you're holding at approximately 8:26 I believe you can just throw that into vinegar or vinegar and salt and it will clean it up. It's been awhile since I've done it. And where I'm at they do not have a category bright and shiny number one here. it is called bright and shiny and copper number one and Copper number two. So they have three categories here. And as far as the AC units I make sure I clean every single bit of copper there is. You scrap a lot like me
Thanks for commenting and yes I like to get it all
@@ScrappingwithGrandpa I subscribe so this way I can watch your other videos to see if I can learn something
Another awesome video my friend. Happy Halloween
Gosh and I forgot it was Halloween
Thank you for the good info !!
Thank you for stopping by to watch dewayne
I live in south east Missouri and we have one scrap yard. I would have to travel 100 miles together to the next one. Our prices have not changed in 5 months. The average is always higher than what we get.
Really
Some scrap years don't play by the rules. I'm starting to learn when a yards not paying the right amount and only giving them the metal that they pay the right amount for. 13:55
I’m learning
The fact you have only one yard is the reason the prices are low, and they have no competition, and also the fact they likely have to transport it further. I don't have any close yards, either, the closest one is 25 miles away, all my shredder(scrap steel) goes there, as well as most of my aluminum..there are several yards that are all approximately 50 miles away(100 mile round trip), so I save the good stuff for them since they usually pay better..I save it until I have a good load, then call all those yards to see who is paying the best at that time...
One of the best videos I've seen very informative..
Glad it was helpful!
I never scrapped before but I came into a nice pile of wire and I was told 16 gauge or bigger was No 1. I bought a cheap pair of wire cutters at Walmart with the gauge sizes on it. Are they accurate.
I subscribed to your channel.
Yes. For me anything pencil size
Good explanation, but I wish you would have mentioned tinned wires. Silver colored #1 thickness wire. I need to sort through at least one box of wire and pipes now. Thanks!
Tinned wire is number two. Silver colored wire is number two it has a nickel plated coating on it.
If I find some of that tinned copper wire from time to time... I usually burn it, gets rid of the tin..I have one yard that will still buy it as #1 if the diameter is big enough, burned or not, so that wire goes to them...some yards buy it as #2, and some won't buy burned wire at all...use the different yards' policies to your advantage...
I have the iScrap app but I find it’s not to accurate in my area but it is a great app other wise!
I use it for basic information
I like their UA-cam channel better
@@ScrappingwithGrandpa yea the channel is awesome Tom is a Great guy and really seems to know their stuff!
I didn’t even know his name
@@ScrappingwithGrandpa haha an know ya do!
We burn off romex sometimes instead of strip. Is that considered #2 because it’s so discolored. Thank you
If you burn it it’s # 2 every time
I quit stripping
Watching this video again. I watched it once. Trying to help you out. I need some hoodies. I’ll be contacting you about this. Fine wire isn’t number one? I need to separate my copper barrels again
so my yard has several categories for #2 like if it has the plugs on it or not etc
I always take off the plugs
I've taken apart about 50 ceiling fans and have never found a motor that looks like that. The one you called a ceiling fan motor looks like the ones I get off of AC fans.
Interesting
Just a question! If bare bright copper wire is plated, does it go with # 2 copper wire? Thanks.
Yes absolutely does
Thanks@@ScrappingwithGrandpa
bare brite is what it has to look like, but not all yards are really picky about it as long as BB is mostly bare and brite plus copper wires that you said were not bb not the same as others scrap metal yards and they still are #1 copper wires just not Bare Brite Copper. There's like 5 to 6 different categories for copper types
Dang that’s a lot
Yeah it seemed to me he was loosing a lot of #1 copper unless his yard is super picky.
My yard is super picky. They tell me that if my metal has any steel on it whatsoever it’s dirty.
I learned a lot again!
So was the Romex wire in the video a 14 gauge?
I believe it was
I live in ny and the scrap yard I go to will give you number one for all copper except if there is a contaminant on the copper then it would be number two
Interesting
Would solid copper stock be considered bare bright? I have a bunch of solid 3/4 round stock and various square stock I got from an old tool and die shop auction.
The only thing that is called bear Brite would be wire what you’re talking about is number one copper
seems there is a color difference as well #2 is darker or "dirtier" then the shiny number 1 stuff. Or is that wrong ?
I agree with you you are correct
Actually number one copper is as small as 16 gage which is a bigger number but smaller then the yellow wire that you compared to the led which is 12 gage it goes 16 gage 14 gage then 12 gage then 10 gage then 8 then 6 then 4 then it change to awg so the size you showed first is classified as #1 bare copper the stranded wire is def #2 idk about the other parts of the video but I’m an electrician and recycle all our scraps so I only know about the wire but thank you so much for the video I enjoyed it and learn more about the pipes we sometimes come across
Great video my friend. I was told #1 has to be as you said, pencil lead size or 16 gauge. Stranded still has to be 16 gauge strands to be #1.I subbed to you. Is copper that is burnt considered #2? Thanks for sharing your experience in scrapping. 😎😎🔥🔥⛏⛏
I heard that some yards won’t take burned copper. Mine will and I get #2 for it. Thanks for stopping by
Not sure my yard takes burnt copper, we will see when I cash in in couple of days.@@ScrappingwithGrandpa
Good info
Thank you Joannie
you need "Incognito" to do some separating prior to it getting work over by you...every time you detail each piece is money...tanks for sharing
One day I’ll have incognito do a how to video
@8:21 that's #1 in Texas they don't mind if it has some corrosion on it.
Here to sometimes
bad example. pencil led, even #2, can come in many thicknesses. I run #2 led in my .3mm mechanical pencils.
Needs to be 14 gauge or better to be #1 copper, roughly 1/16th of an inch or 1.6mm. anything smaller is #2. Stranded wires, the smallest strand needs to be 14 gauge or better.
😊Exactly how I measure wire before throwing it in the clear plastic bag
I wish there was a industry standard in pricing and what is what. I feel like I'm getting the short end everytime. Thanks for the video.
You and me both!
Some of the examples of your number 2 is considered number 1 at the yard I go to. I guess it depends on the yard
I believe it does yes
Helpful Vid! TY!
Thank you
So I have wires bigger then 16 gauge but it’s insulated. If I don’t strip it is it still #1 or #2
# 2 insulated
Thank you that was helpful
Glad to help my friend
The girls at my yard must like me because they take all the stranded wire I bring in as bare bright
Wow
I have always used the "pencil lead" guideline for wire diameter as the point between #1 and #2, also...however, a few yards are more lenient about that, and they will take that "borderline", or slightly smaller, stuff as #1. Those yards usually pay overall lower prices, however, often their #1 prices are still higher than the "better" yards' #2 prices...soooo...that stuff often goes to the other yard...don't try to deceive or rip off the yards, but use their policies to your advantage.
Mallard, if I don’t put too much of it will take the other four number one but for the most part I try to do 14 gauge for bear Brite thank you for the visit Scrapping With Grandpa what’s next?
What gauge size is the pencil lead
Pencil size is always number one as long as it doesn’t have any coating on it
There’s a lot more to it than meets the eye.
Not just a case of a few snips and chuck it in the bucket 🪣.
You have to know where to snip it and what bucket to chuck it into
Exactly
Just for interest it's April 2023 and we get $3.45 per pound for bright copper wire in England .....£6.30/kg.
Wow that a rip off same as here
Number one bare bright is anything 16 gauge and above. And yes that piece of wire needs to go in your number two or you can clean it up with vinegar and still get bare bright.
Thank you for the tip and info for my subscribers
What size of pencil lead is that
It’s less than pencil head
I don't know why they are called squirrel cage fans, everytime I put a squirrel in one it ends up dead and I have a bloody mess to clean up.
Lol. Same thing happened to your
That small piece you threw in #2 goes in 1
Thank you Jimbo I wasn’t quite sure about that
That stranded thhn is always #1 copper, doesn't matter the individual strand size. It's the exact as Romex. There's no new type of aluminum wire used today as is a Romex type. There's still a lot of that mixed crap out there that they used back in the 40's 50's 60's. We definitely still use aluminum feeder wire because of costs. I live in Pennsylvania and they don't care about sorting it so much well besides the aluminum crap. That's just my observations.
I think you maybe right I've done stripped lots of copper in appliances,electirc motors,etc and the difference between #1 and #2 is solder or paint not the size.
Or if it got some oil on it from the AC it maybe #2.
What they do to me,and have done many of times is weigh the box or contain I bring it in after it's dumped,to deduct the weight of container,which is always parts of the job,to insure that you dont get any money for the container which would be like 50 cents,that's if the scale actually worked.
But the cale don't so its a very common thing that their scale is off and that's how they take your $!
Becareful they are crooks.
Really. My yard says if it’s not as big as a pencil lead. It is number two Copper I don’t know why.
I could not agree with you more
thank you
You are welcome!
Number 2 is slightly dirty copper over 80% or nonelectric copper like pipes. Number 1 copper is clean bare copper wires. Magnet wire is considdered number 2 because of the thin insulation on it.
You're the man. That's a great explanation, thanks for that!
It really bugs me nowadays how much they are substituting cheap aluminum for copper in stuff...HVAC equipment is one, for example. Yet, the new equipment is at all time high prices...to me, aluminum is not even a desirable metal, I consider it a junk metal just like steel(I do sell both, though)....but to most non-recycling people, they seem to think aluminum is one of the most desirable metals to have for scrapping, and often use aluminum as something to try to lure you to pick up their scrap/junk..I'm like just, "meh" when they mention aluminum, and they seem puzzled...copper of brass, heck yes! I actually like stainless steel better than aluminum, it usually pays about the same per lb. as aluminum, but is much heavier/dense and therefore more profitable. The problem with aluminum is it is so light, plus the price is really not that great, it's hard to get enough weight out of it on your truck.
It definitely doesn’t make sense. The prices are going up but yet they’re using cheaper material. How the hell does that work? Lol. Scrapping With Grandpa watch next times three
Yes, and plumbing stuff is the same way..substituting plated plastic and die cast for brass..also, the battery just died in one of my trucks today...it was a 7+ year old battery, and a "second" at that..I bought it from one of those mobile battery trucks that used to come to where I used to work...$40.00 plus exchange..I definitely got my money out of that one...anyhow, it died and I started shopping for batteries today..OUCH!!..an economy battery from Walmart for $70.00+ tax and exchange, and they went up from there..most at Walmart were well north of $100.00, many around $150.00-$180.00+...same thing at the auto parts stores...what else gets me, though, is scrap batteries and lead are at an all time low..what gives???..you are lucky if you can get 10 cents/lb. for scrap batteries or lead these days..most places won't even pay that! And back when you could get a decent new battery for $50.00-$70.00, I remember selling scrap batteries for 50 cents/lb..I even melted some wheel weights down for lead once when it was more than 60 cents/lb...now how does THAT work??@@ScrappingwithGrandpa
I know all about battery prices. It’s insane. Scrap price down on everything but try to buy 1. Good luck
My yard is minimum 5mm for #1
Differs
thanks
I’m glad you found it helpful.
You need to keep that copper in a safe , it’s like silver price now . My yard wants the plug ends left on , I was cutting them off . He told me he wanted them leave them on 👍🇨🇦
Wow. My yard makes me take them off. Plus I save the brass from them
In UK house wire is called Twin & Earth ..which covers any manufacturerer and then designated 1.5 ; 2.5 ; 6.0 mmsq. ..the cross section of the wire.
Why do all Americans mispronounced SOLDER as Soder -- they miss the L out ?
Microwave Transformers can be stripped by cutting the steel laminations off one end with a disc cutter then hammer them out of the wire coils......put steel in the ferrous scrap..
Nice thanks
Thanks god bless
Thank you too
Is that 12/2?
Not sure
I feel like I'm in school 🏫 again..
You probably should be lol
Mine takes unless there is paint or solder or HEAVYcorroision
So the plastic doesn’t matter?
7:19 to 7:27. Stuff like that can go as Bare bright or #1 copper!
Thank you my friend I appreciate that
@@ScrappingwithGrandpa Your Welcome
Every dryers or washing machines I get ate aluminum wire not copper wire
Same here
SOOOOOOO if i melt it in bars will it be #1
Yes, but some yards won’t take it after you melt it because they don’t know what’s inside, but if you melt it down into 1 pound you can sell it on eBay for like $15 a pound
Look up on eBay, copper ingots and see how much they are. That’s where you sell ingots
50% of paint on clean copper pipes is #1 price down here
Really
I thought no1 came from the front and no2 from the back 😂😂😂😂😂
Lol my friend I had to read this three times before I got it that is so freaking funny. Thanks for the comment gave me a laugh for real.
Why do they care on the diameter of the stuff it its clean copper? Same once melted no?
Not sure
@@ScrappingwithGrandpa nvm you explained it, caus more evaporates when it's thin
My scrap yard will weight all my copper as same. So no need to seperate it. Xceot the pipes. But the will take it and they put it as what tgey see.and weigh it.
That’s not fair. You should find another scrapyard because there is a difference in copper number one is number one number two is number two and then there’s also dirty copper so I’m not sure why your Scrap Yard pays you like that but they’re not very nice.
In my scrap yard, you must separate the wire and the piping. A very good video.
Great idea I also separate mine. I don’t take the string off it’s number two.
My yard is the same way
Take alot vinegar an salt put ur copper in it number one an two in it then dry it wit towel after it soaks 30 minutes then take ketchup an polish it to bare bright copper 1 an 2 an get bare bright prices like I have done
Thanks for the tip. That is an interesting method. Never tried that.
Lately, the red chinese motors have copper plated wire!😢
Really
Grandpa explains the difference between number 1 and number 2
There’s a $.30 difference in price so you don’t want to mix it up. Sometimes even more than 30
You need to talk to YOUR yard, they all have different rules and classifications.
True