[TheForge] reclaiming copper and burn-out oven

[terry l. ridder]

hello;

comments below.

On Sat, 9 Sep 2006, Aaron Williams wrote:

aaron> Hello Terry,
aaron>
aaron>
aaron> Is this copper reclamation for further personal use or
aaron> for recycling purposes?  The reason I ask is because
aaron> I work for a local scrap yard. and if we get in any
aaron> burnt copper it pays just as much as electric motors,
aaron> a penny a pound.  Sound like a lot of work and money
aaron> spent for very little profit if that is what you are
aaron> looking for.
aaron>

the copper from the motors is strictly for recycling.
given the pictures and information i have found concerning rebuilding
large electric motors on the internet; the copper windings do not appear
to be burnt or brittle. they are bright copper with the varnish removed
and soft.

i will experiement with a small electrical motor and a small version of
the burn-out oven. if the copper appears to be burnt i will explore
other ways to anneal the copper windings to ease their removal.

the largest motor is an old grain bin fan motor. 185 lbs.
i know very well there is more than $1.85 usd of copper in that motor.
more like 60 lbs of copper, which should fetch $2.79 usd per pound.
there is a big difference between $1.85 usd and $167.40 usd for that
motor.

aaron>
aaron> Aaron Williams
aaron> Pueblo, CO.
aaron>

-- 
terry l. ridder ><>