Scrap Wire Prices

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

bkludecke

Senior Member
Location
Big Bear Lake, CA
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
I know it varies from area to area, but what are you folks getting for insulated scrap wire (per lb). I don't have the time or inclination to strip it.
 
Chicago, last I sold......

#110 copper (called "Bright" ie. stripped cable) is the highest value.
#1 copper (buss bars).
#2 copper (insulated cable).

* Date *#110 /Sold * #1 /Sold * #2 /Sold*
*06/02/06 * *$2.90/ 0 *$2.50/ 0*
*06/08/06 *$2.95/0021 *$2.75/0623 *$2.00/0851*
*06/08/06 *$2.95/0033 *$2.80/0354 *$2.75/1198*
*06/16/06 *$2.75/0026 *$2.55/0246 *$2.55/1230*
*08/09/06 * *$2.50/
 
I did some demo on a sat with 2 guys a few weeks ago. Spent a half a day ad cashed in 1800 worth of thhn. It had to come out anyways.

Tom
 
Back around 1980 some trickster types told a new hire laborer at the plant ( Merck Pharm., where I worked at the time ) that scrap copper was going for $9-$10 per pound. He hatched a brilliant idea. As there was always work going on he scavenged around on his lunch and break time gathering scrap pieces of 500MCM etc. Next he was going to buy an El Camino for his party / weekend car by making the payments from his new found venture. When he took in his first pot of gold he got about .35 cents a pound. I think he cancelled his plans.
 
bkludecke said:
I know it varies from area to area, but what are you folks getting for insulated scrap wire (per lb). I don't have the time or inclination to strip it.
Click to expand...


I'm not sure about the price around my area but I as well don't have time to strip all the scrap wire

however I have been looking to make a motorized wire stripper that you would be able to feed wire into and it would slit it down the side and all you would have to do is pull the rubber off of it.

I photoshopped a simple plan up in my spare time this weekend.

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y2...tripper/?action=view&current=Wirestripper.jpg

Using the MiG welder I would make a small metal frame which would hold a pulley with rubber covering in the track (Red)
the chain and motor would drive that.
As you can see the frame also holds a utility knife blade which will strip the wire down the side.

Speed will be fairly slow and a bunch of safety guards will be be put up in the actual design.
 
Dave85 said:
I'm not sure about the price around my area but I as well don't have time to strip all the scrap wire

however I have been looking to make a motorized wire stripper that you would be able to feed wire into and it would slit it down the side and all you would have to do is pull the rubber off of it.

I photoshopped a simple plan up in my spare time this weekend.

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y2...tripper/?action=view&current=Wirestripper.jpg

Using the MiG welder I would make a small metal frame which would hold a pulley with rubber covering in the track (Red)
the chain and motor would drive that.
As you can see the frame also holds a utility knife blade which will strip the wire down the side.

Speed will be fairly slow and a bunch of safety guards will be be put up in the actual design.
Click to expand...


Just sell the stuff with the insulation on it. the price per pound they give is paying for that insulation. I did a sample and found that on 100# of the insulated stuff if I had spent the time to remove the insulation and toss it I would have made $.25 more. The guys who work with the 500MCM just get to make more on their scrap.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top