Is it worth it?

[goldencoin]

maybe a pound or too...but i feel a lot better that i'm recycling it

HH
-GC

 

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[whitesid]

maybe a pound or too...but i feel a lot better that i'm recycling it

HH
-GC

im beating you on this one

 

[goldencoin]

:P

HH
-GC

 

[whitesid]

:P

HH
-GC

im up to 50 pounds! :P

 

[goldencoin]

i got 4 grams MD'ing today :P :P :P

HH
-GC

 

[Mainedigger]

I just scrapped out the copper and brass I have dug since last year...got $2.30/pd for the #2 copper and $1.00/pd for the brass....walked out with $227.50 cash in my hand....

 

[pepperpump]

Not bad at all Mainedigger!
Pepperpump 8)

 

[godisnum1]

My dad has a thing for junk. I used to criticize him a lot... until recently when he keeps flaunting his stacks of $20's from all the scrap metal he keeps bringing home to take to the scrap place. I'd say he's a smart man, as are you if you decide to keep and sell scrap metal...

Bran <><

 

[hyderconsulting]

A lot of good info about scrap copper being posted here on the forum. Maybe I can help on a couple of the questions. It is confusing about what is considered No. 1 and No. 2 copper scrap by the scrapyards. The problem is that it varies somewhat from place to place. Generally speaking any 16 gauge bright copper wire or larger (14 gauge, 12 gauge and so on) is considered No. 1 copper. Sixteen guage I believe is the same size as sixteenth of an inch in diameter. Also bright copper piping and heavy copper like buss bars out of electrical equipment is considered No. 1. But you need to find out exactly what your scrapyard considers No. 1 copper so don't be shy and go and ask the guy weighing up your scrap what he considers to be No. 1 grade. Some scrap yards put out a flyer with descriptions of what their scrap grades are. Find out if yours does. Any copper that has corrosion, solder, other non-copper metal pieces or plastic attached to it will fall into No. 2 grade copper or lower.

Now about burning copper wiring to clean it of insulation. Don't do it, period. First, it is illegal. Second, it is unhealthy to your lungs. Third, you do burn up some of the copper weight by doing so especially fine braided wire. Finally, you spend a lot of time trying to pick small pieces burnt copper wiring out of an ash pile. Its not worth it. Yes, do strip the larger wiring with a utility knife or whatever you have to get the insulation off. Yes, this can be dangerous but so is driving to work and you do it anyhow, just be careful. Sell the smaller insulated wiring as is. Keep in mind that bare bright wiring is always worth more than burnt or corroded wiring of the same size.

Now is it worth it to you? Well, what is your time worth to you? If you have copper scrap to sell it is worth some money no doubt. You have to figure out if what you can make on it to determine if it is worth your time and effort. I'm reminded of conversation I had with a friend of mine who came by to see me one evening. I showed him a big box of copper wiring stripped out of some radio equipment which I had done the previous evening while I was watching Andy Griffith. About 20 lbs. for about $20. He asked me was it worth it? I asked him what he did the previous evening. He said he just sat around watching the Braves and drank beer. I then asked him how much money he made while he did that. He said I see your point. I then reminded him the Braves lost again. Regards, Chris Hyder.

 

[fiatboy]

Thanks for the info, Chris.

 

[hyderconsulting]

Thank you, Fiatboy. I enjoy posting here on this forum and helping people. I've learned a lot from reading other members posts and I appreciate the input from everyone. Regards, Chris Hyder.