Copiers?

Dosamigos said:
I passed up one of those great big copiers the other day and have been wondering ever since if I should have picked it up.

I didn't see much wiring to speak of and the only metal I could see looked like tin. Other then that lots of plastic.

Has anyone here ever torn one apart?

Ya I have torn them apart... 80% plastic, 10% tin 10% low copper wire. You will find a few motors in them, maybe a transformer and one or two circuit boards. If you have an electronics scrap yard down there who pays for material, the circuits boards are worth a bit of money.

Not a whole lot of return for the labour involved in tearing these things apart... the plastic is basically worthless unless you have LOTS of it.

HTH :)
 

I've worked for companies that sell copiers, so I have disassembled quite a few. What has been said is correct. They are mostly worthless as far as scrap metal goes. BUT, some of the newer models may contain a 2.5" hard drive and some RAM on one of the circuit boards. The machines and the finishers generally have several motors, stepper and or servo types. I've heard of people using them to build a CNC machine. Lots of gears and belts, too. If you get the motors, be sure to grab the circuit boards with the motor drivers on them. Quite a few sensors in there, too, but as said in the previous post, its a lot of work to get in there. Also, if the machine has a cabinet underneath it, check it for extra toner or staples. Those sell like hotcakes on Eebbaayy. I would definitely stop to check it for that. Might be a ton of copier paper under there too if you want it.

My first post in this forum. I hope I have been helpful.
 

Thanks for the info and keep posting. Hopefully I'll be able to contribute somewhere along the line.
 

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