I'm a slow and steady scrapper. I guess, if one is scrapping to eat, stuff gets tossed in the shred more often. I keep my scrap organized. I collect several/many of those harder-to-process items, wait for a nasty weather day, throw on a good audio book, and separate everything. I get paid to relax and listen to a book. I also strip wire while watching movies. Who doesn't watch the occasional movie or TV show? This was a good video. Thank you for it.
The transformer laminations are often superficially welded together, and the welds can sometines be fractured with a hard strike using a chisel. I saw one guy doing it with an old axe. The laminations are a specific type of steel called electrical steel. It's high silicon steel. The transformers shown are often found in the earlier generations of microwave ovens. They're called MOTs for short. Many have aluminum primary windings, and copper secondary windings. Aluminum windings are always enameled with a copper colored coating, so scrape first to check.
@@robertfranczak9382 older MOTs are all copper, and there are many types of equipment or devices that have all copper windings. One that's very similar to MOTs are metal halide light bulb ballasts. Many are being removed from service as they are being replaced by LEDs.
He means that the aluminum wire is coated with a copper colored lacquer most of the time I find that they're copper I've never seen the mix of copper and aluminum. I do run into the aluminum wire coated with copper colored lacquer.
HI Tom, in Ottawa Canada, transformer prices are lower than shred. I see some comments about how to get the copper out, some of us don't have the tools/space etc to do that, hence, shred pays more, here, than transformer price, but good for those with the tools/garages etc.
I see this every time I go to the scrap yard but it way worse then what you have shown here I can’t believe that people won’t take 20 min and make an extra 20 to 50 dollars it is crazy what I see people throwing out in the shed pile Thank for the video most scrap yard won’t show what you have shown people Thanks again
The second Transformer from the big old lights parking lot lights I don't even use a grinder I just hit it at each end and the sides of steel bar right off and then you hit the copper right through
When you bring little transformers to a yard it’s good to check if they have copper windings, aluminum windings or copper and Aluminum windings. The copper transformers are worth more
The problem of taking some of that stuff apart is it takes time and sometimes a lot of time, I don't have that kind of time, I'm so backed up it's crazy I find so much stuff. Also, I do this part-time so there's only so much time I have to take stuff apart, not a lot, I concentrate on brass and copper as far as taking things apart, great video!
Do most scrap yards break down electric motors for the copper inside or do they ship them out to be shredded? Would it be uncommon to buy a pallet of electric motors from a yard and break them down yourself?
Old microwaves never go to the steel pile. From an old microwave that I took apart I got over 5lbs of copper. I could not believe it after I weighed it. Unfortunately they dont build em like that anymore.
I've found angle grinders are not needed for transformers (very dangerous): hammering alone is too difficult & misshapes steel, but filing welds a bit, then hammering creates enough weakness & force concentration that welds hammer apart quickly.
I see this all the time, it just depends on how much you think your time is worth. I've had a company literally throw about 75lbs of copper 2 in my steel pile. Why? Because it's peanuts compared to what they really bring in. You're worried about an electronic ballast? Don't waste your time.
Ppl make more dough illegally than others who actually make money honestly. That is the truth where i live. Really is pathetic if you ask me. I cannot make a real living because i had no help getting another real job. So i have no pity for lazy ppl.
I'm a slow and steady scrapper. I guess, if one is scrapping to eat, stuff gets tossed in the shred more often. I keep my scrap organized. I collect several/many of those harder-to-process items, wait for a nasty weather day, throw on a good audio book, and separate everything.
I get paid to relax and listen to a book. I also strip wire while watching movies. Who doesn't watch the occasional movie or TV show?
This was a good video. Thank you for it.
Thanks for watching. Always good to take your time if you have it 💚
The transformer laminations are often superficially welded together, and the welds can sometines be fractured with a hard strike using a chisel. I saw one guy doing it with an old axe.
The laminations are a specific type of steel called electrical steel. It's high silicon steel.
The transformers shown are often found in the earlier generations of microwave ovens. They're called MOTs for short. Many have aluminum primary windings, and copper secondary windings. Aluminum windings are always enameled with a copper colored coating, so scrape first to check.
I have never seen copper on both sides yet usually one is copper and the other side aluminum.
@@robertfranczak9382 older MOTs are all copper, and there are many types of equipment or devices that have all copper windings. One that's very similar to MOTs are metal halide light bulb ballasts. Many are being removed from service as they are being replaced by LEDs.
We've never heard of this before, generally, if they’re aluminum wound that there is no copper coding on them. But you always learn something new.
He means that the aluminum wire is coated with a copper colored lacquer most of the time I find that they're copper I've never seen the mix of copper and aluminum. I do run into the aluminum wire coated with copper colored lacquer.
I use a chisel for getting mortar off bricks to hammer that weld open with.
HI Tom, in Ottawa Canada, transformer prices are lower than shred. I see some comments about how to get the copper out, some of us don't have the tools/space etc to do that, hence, shred pays more, here, than transformer price, but good for those with the tools/garages etc.
Hi, Check out this video we made if you want to get started pulling transformers apart on your own! ua-cam.com/video/3jpn8lTnwX0/v-deo.html
I see this every time I go to the scrap yard but it way worse then what you have shown here
I can’t believe that people won’t take 20 min and make an extra 20 to 50 dollars it is crazy what I see people throwing out in the shed pile
Thank for the video most scrap yard won’t show what you have shown people
Thanks again
Thanks for watching and sharing your story
It sucks having a lousy scrap yard to deal with, always pulling wool over peoples eyes. Texas Hill Country Recycling
The second Transformer from the big old lights parking lot lights I don't even use a grinder I just hit it at each end and the sides of steel bar right off and then you hit the copper right through
On the transformers just crack the fusion welds and the end comes off and the whole copper ring slides off(with some hammer work)
Yikes 😣
When you bring little transformers to a yard it’s good to check if they have copper windings, aluminum windings or copper and Aluminum windings. The copper transformers are worth more
Quite true 👉
Thank your for the advice
Thanks for watching!
The problem of taking some of that stuff apart is it takes time and sometimes a lot of time, I don't have that kind of time, I'm so backed up it's crazy I find so much stuff. Also, I do this part-time so there's only so much time I have to take stuff apart, not a lot, I concentrate on brass and copper as far as taking things apart, great video!
I think about time as money. There are so many metals out there. It’s hard to have a bin for all of them
Very true. Always good to organize
What about transformers with aluminum wire? Do you put them into your durty aluminum or steel shread?
Probably dirty aluminum. There isn't much there so I wouldn't waste too much time
Do most scrap yards break down electric motors for the copper inside or do they ship them out to be shredded? Would it be uncommon to buy a pallet of electric motors from a yard and break them down yourself?
Old microwaves never go to the steel pile. From an old microwave that I took apart I got over 5lbs of copper. I could not believe it after I weighed it. Unfortunately they dont build em like that anymore.
Most microwaves do contain steel. Really depends if its worth the trouble for you to rip open
Well I was pulling the ballast out of my electrical light and save it and put it to the side but my yard does not buy them separate no more
That's a shame to hear. Sorry about that
How about batteries of different kinds?
Here's some of the basics for Lead-acid batteries: ua-cam.com/video/GXsLfskTnl4/v-deo.html&ab_channel=iScrapApp
I've found angle grinders are not needed for transformers (very dangerous): hammering alone is too difficult & misshapes steel, but filing welds a bit, then hammering creates enough weakness & force concentration that welds hammer apart quickly.
Interesting technique!
I see this all the time, it just depends on how much you think your time is worth. I've had a company literally throw about 75lbs of copper 2 in my steel pile. Why? Because it's peanuts compared to what they really bring in. You're worried about an electronic ballast? Don't waste your time.
While this can be true for some people, others may want to make sure they can squeeze all the juice from the lemon
I agree it’s all about time. Time is money all day. Utilize time it will save more the Pennie’s on the pound
Shred it!
🙌
I save the air handler heat strips it brings good money
Good point!
I see this alot at my yard.
Tis pretty common
Jeez, how does one mistake steel and aluminum. Its like they didn't have a magnet or something.
If only there was a tool that could help us figure out which is which 🧲
"Are we gonna use it..... Heck no" 🍻
💚
Can throw my tin cans in the steel pile
Ppl make more dough illegally than others who actually make money honestly. That is the truth where i live. Really is pathetic if you ask me. I cannot make a real living because i had no help getting another real job. So i have no pity for lazy ppl.
👍
🙌