Are Small Motors Worth Scrapping For Copper?

thubprint
thubprint
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Published 2024-01-12
Honest question! Electric motors are totally worth processing down into clean scrap copper, but what about the little ones? The small ones from fans and motors? I always just bring them in as-is because they're so small and fiddly. But what if... So that's today's video! How much do you make processing the small stuff for copper? Check it out, I was surprised.

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All Comments (21)
  • @lorrainemcdonald7332
    I don't scrap, have never scrapped, likely will never scrap. So, why do I find your videos so interesting? I watch all of them and even watch the ads (because I understand that helps you a bit) .
  • @matthewelliott2213
    As always, a fun, fact-filled, non-judgmental, informative episode--full of smart and thorough processes to help people maximize time for the most revenue. Best scrapping channel on YouTube!
  • @vidiotsyndrome
    For the motors with the winding on the rotor: Cut the ends of the axel off right at the edge of the winding plates with a grinder (Dremel); leaving a barrel shaped core and 2 axel pieces with domes of winding still attached to them. Vice up the barrel cores, and use hammer/punch to remove the copper runs. Still takes a while, but if you have several of these stored up, you can kinda run the process on all of them fairly quickly... I've also used an air-palm-nailer and punches to push the copper out, especially on larger motor cores
  • @amogusenjoyer
    That was surprisingly more worth it than i thought. I guess i thought the prices for motors would be a bit higher versus the one for pure copper
  • @vinecat8451
    Awesome video Thub! As a student scrapper (scrapping on the side) with no acces to a car and with only a bike, most of my weight and money comes from motors from small electrical appliences. It's rather hard to find factual videos such as these on the web for my specific situation, as most yt scrappers care more about the big things they can haul in their trucks. I love the fact you take your time to show us this, thank you very much! Also, before this video I never really had an interest in getting power tools, but I think this video actually convinced me. After doing some quick maths with local prices, I'd make back the money i only a month or two!
  • @thadofalltrades
    It's definitely best to strip the motors down to the copper during the general teardown and then throw that in a bucket to be processed later all at once. That's definitely the most time efficient. You could definitely increase the per hour pay above $25/hr once you figure out which motors are the easiest to process. Those stator types, don't even bother.
  • @williammeeks1283
    Nice breakdown Thub. I always strip out the small motors I find it enjoyable and I get more bang for my buck when I take it all in.
  • @ericprater4017
    Waaaaaay off topic, I'm looking at bare studs and no insulation..in your shop... Yup, it's that dam foam board guy, every time you go by a construction dumpster, check for 2" foam board, bring it home, put it up using screws and caulk and you have another form of heat! I've foam boarded almost my entire house and am saving literally thousands of dollars in propane. But great vid! Freaking cold down in Central Wa. State! Keep warm by the fire!
  • @mikeweddleton2489
    Really like these one's thub. I appreciate the insights. Keep doing the thing brother. Happy New year
  • @onemanclan7248
    Personable, Informative, and Entertaining; I think this guy is the true Markiplier of the scrap world.
  • @terahsmith7588
    Great video! Big fan of all your scrappin videos 👍 I learn something new every time thanks to your simple step-by-step instructions 😁
  • @tghepburn1390
    I liked this one. You said-20 when filming - while watching it's -38! I never mess with the stator-wound ones but if I was starving punch out the axle first by setting over pipe/hole what have you, then you can use machete on remaining piece. Fan motors are my favourite small motor and I find lots of 'em. Oh and plastic shatters really nice at -30C !🙃⚒
  • @ejtkc3
    wow! good video and process
  • @Warpcaller
    Great job as always, wish I had time and space for experiments like this...
  • @Kaowh38289whdbd
    Wow, I just did some motors yesterday for the first time. I have just stripped wire previously. Very messy and I smell like metal, but it's fun. I gave up on the little top looking one I had.
  • @adamdaley8090
    Knowledge is power! Stay warm broham. She's dipping into the negative 20's to 30's for us this weekend as well.
  • @benhumphregys3087
    Amazing video! I appreciate these videos more than you realise thank you so much thub this has helped get me prepared to open my motors and also thanks for the great entertainment and escape I really appreciate it as my mind is not good right now.