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SCRAPPING Starters & Generators for COPPER

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by The37Kid, Mar 30, 2013.

  1. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,629

    The37Kid
    Member

    Is there an easy way to pull the copper out of a starter and generator for scrap, or is the time envolved not worth it? Just wondering if I'd make more money with the pile of copper vs. the whole unit. Bob
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2013
  2. Provience
    Joined: Dec 10, 2011
    Posts: 10

    Provience
    Member

    I just took some in, wasn't worth my effort to pull them apart. Just make sure to call a couple different places, rates had a decent variety here. Even between the same company but different locations.
     
  3. Deuce Roadster
    Joined: Sep 8, 2002
    Posts: 9,519

    Deuce Roadster
    Member Emeritus

    In South Carolina ... you need a special permit to scrap copper :(
    This became necessary because of all the LOW LIFES stealing air conditioning units and copper from unlived in houses.

    There have been a serious rash of thieves stealing the A/C from CHURCH buildings.

    You have to be a REAL SCUM BAG to steal a A/C from the church.
     
  4. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,264

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    It only makes sense if you need more money for meth.
     

  5. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,629

    The37Kid
    Member

    Sorry to read that Randy, dirtbags are ruining everything these days.
     
  6. crashfarmer
    Joined: Apr 4, 2006
    Posts: 1,285

    crashfarmer
    Member
    from Iowa

    They were talking about that permit thing here to stop thievery. I don't know if it works or buying a permit will just bring in more money for the state.

    You have to be a real lowlife to steal from anybody. :mad:
     
  7. The tweekers have also been stealing telephone cable for the copper. They'll open a sidewalk box or manhole, tie a rope to the cable, then cut the cable there & at the next box. The other end of the rope will be tied to their truck. They just drive off & pull cable out of the conduit or duct. Roll up the cable & toss it in the truck. We go out on a cable failure and find out it's gone! Once in a while, somebody will hit power thinking it's telephone cable. Oops! Crispy critter!

    Another douche bag stole the bronze vases from our local cemetery and tried to recycle them. The 1st few times he took some in, they paid him. He got caught when he brought in about 60 or 70.


    Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
     
  8. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,829

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    search google images for "copper thieves electrocuted". how stupid do you have to be to cut live wires from a building or telephone pole?

    if they parked a cop car at the recycling places around here they would all be out of business in a month.
     
  9. oldolds
    Joined: Oct 18, 2010
    Posts: 3,407

    oldolds
    Member

    Most scrap buyers around here have a special price for electric motors, More than Iron and less than copper. Starters and such are motors. Makes it not worth the time to take them apart.
     
  10. Deuce Roadster
    Joined: Sep 8, 2002
    Posts: 9,519

    Deuce Roadster
    Member Emeritus

    Same thing at the graveyard where my Father and Mother are buried. Dad has a military bronze marker showing is was in the US Army. He and Mom are fairly close to the graveyard entrance ... so they have not messed with his. But they stole about 40 or 50 recently. :(:(

    I hope that HELL has a special hot spot for those scum.
     
  11. oltruckag
    Joined: Aug 13, 2009
    Posts: 114

    oltruckag
    Member

    You may make more $ selling them on here or the bay. Last time i took in electric motors it was something like .21? a lb. Totally worth it if you are taking in old 50HP AHU motors, hardly worth the effort for a starter unless you have a barrel full of them.
     
  12. TrioxinKustoms
    Joined: Oct 16, 2009
    Posts: 551

    TrioxinKustoms
    Member
    from Romney, WV

    That's the truth.. They like to steal truck batteries too.
     
  13. Rpmrex
    Joined: Nov 19, 2007
    Posts: 664

    Rpmrex
    Member
    from Indiana

    In our town there is a starter/alternator repair shop that will buy starters and alternators for more than scrap price.
     
  14. CutawayAl
    Joined: Aug 3, 2009
    Posts: 2,144

    CutawayAl
    Member
    from MI

    The bare copper is worth more when separated and sorted. But as has been said, if your time is worth much it isn't worth doing. Motors, generators, alternators, etc are taken apart in countries where the people work really cheap.
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2013
  15. Engine man
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 3,480

    Engine man
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    I work at a scrapyard and all of our electric motors are shipped to China. I'm in maintenance and don't pay much attention to prices but I think copper prices are lower than they were at the height of the thefts. We video record and require identification on all non ferrous metal transactions.
     

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