Copper Scrapping Hacks - Scrap Metal For Beginners - Tips And Tricks!

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  • čas přidán 11. 09. 2024

Komentáře • 855

  • @dcross446
    @dcross446 Před 4 lety +345

    I'm a plumber. I save my scrap copper throughout the year. Then buy Christmas gifts for the family. It's like 2500$ bonus every year.

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 4 lety +37

      Heck yeah! That’s definitely one of the perks for plumbers, and electricians too 👌

    • @fightthesystem3588
      @fightthesystem3588 Před 4 lety +10

      Thats exactly what I used to do when all the big jobs slowed down to winter fuel deliveries I'd scrap the copper for my wife and kids but 2500$ that's ALLOT of copper cleaned stripped separated its still so much copper my biggest scrap was 1600 so salute to you... That's a good job...

    • @sammyjoajc
      @sammyjoajc Před 3 lety +5

      This is exactly what my husband and I do he's a painter and his buddies with the electrician Bonnie jobs Corey just back it up all year long and then when it gets close to kiss miss you start stripping just started a couple days ago and of course the day I looked it up copper was about $3.19 here a pound for Bare bright with the amount we had at that price I might have been able to pull off that 2500 maybe even a little more but it's already the quality of course my luck LOL damn you China hahaha

    • @harryl9yearsago788
      @harryl9yearsago788 Před 3 lety +9

      Copper price usually decreases around Xmas. Because the scrap yards know people do this

    • @w8what575
      @w8what575 Před 3 lety +3

      One smart dude!

  • @jakemtz0621
    @jakemtz0621 Před 3 lety +228

    This video helped out a lot, I’m 14 and scrapped my first batch 2 days ago cashing in 50$ 😁

    • @vrtxdiamond3642
      @vrtxdiamond3642 Před 3 lety +5

      Where did you collect

    • @franciscosagui3710
      @franciscosagui3710 Před 2 lety +4

      Lucky. In the U.S you have to be 18. Im 16

    • @rubendimaggio1666
      @rubendimaggio1666 Před 2 lety +4

      I’m 15 doing the same abandon industrial mate the amount their is crazy

    • @Wordedpond28448
      @Wordedpond28448 Před 2 lety +5

      I started at 11 or 12 cant remember my first load brought 120$ I think that's not counting first load as cans im talking about first load with copper

    • @bread-gz3rl
      @bread-gz3rl Před 2 lety +8

      I made 250 because I know like 8 electricians and plan to become one myself, probaly would've been 450 if the BX cable wasn't reused

  • @steveciarico9824
    @steveciarico9824 Před 2 lety +53

    I've been scrapping for 40 years and I need to tell you something... I enjoy watching your channel more than any other scrap channel on CZcams. Hope you have a great day!!

  • @Toyotajunkie
    @Toyotajunkie Před 2 lety +30

    Finally, someone addressed the burning issues. Although I have been scraping for many years, I think your video is a great "how-to" for beginners. Thank you for helping make the world a better place.

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 2 lety +8

      That’s what I was going for!

    • @s10_4_life6
      @s10_4_life6 Před rokem +1

      I burn my Copper Wire and my scrap yard doesn't care to take it and if it's #1 Copper then they give me #1 price and so on, If I had a Electric Wire Stripper then I'd definitely stop burning it, but for me the fastest way to get a bunch of wire done is to burn it...

    • @jarlaxle3588
      @jarlaxle3588 Před rokem +1

      Exactly, I think it is probably different in different states cuz where I come from everyone burns it. There is no "bare bright" category and #1 is anything thicker than pencil lead while #2 is anything thinner like most of your braided wires

    • @s10_4_life6
      @s10_4_life6 Před rokem +1

      @@jarlaxle3588 we have a Bare Bright category, but bare bright copper is really hard to find tho and yeah that's how our #1 & #2 copper is here in Southern Ohio too, our #2 Copper is $2.45 lb right now, Cans are $0.45 lb, Yellow Brass is $1.70 lb, Stainless Steel is $0.20 lb, Electric Motors is $0.12 lb & Aluminum Old Sheet is $0.30 lb, These are just some of the prices from a ticket that I had laying in front of me here LoL

    • @zerocool7772
      @zerocool7772 Před rokem

      So any wire you strip, and its bright is considered bare bright?

  • @notoriousmemoirs6170
    @notoriousmemoirs6170 Před 2 lety +20

    To strip wire I use a block plane. Works amazing and it's cheap for a little block plane or palm plane. Mine is from my grandfather's wood working tools so it's older then anybody I've ever met and works great

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 2 lety +4

      Cool! Definitely would be easier to have the blade angle in a set position with a proper handle

    • @kenno6097
      @kenno6097 Před rokem

      T

  • @cindiwade-mitchell7927
    @cindiwade-mitchell7927 Před 2 lety +12

    I’ve been scrapping for years, but you’re still teaching me things I didn’t know!
    I’m one of those who sits and carefully strips copper with a knife. Instead of scrapping the wiring (or anything to repurpose) from my grandparents farm house, I stripped it & repurposed it into art.
    Thank you for all the great information!

  • @joeigneczi2524
    @joeigneczi2524 Před 4 lety +76

    Stripping wire during quarantine is how I’m staying sane

    • @joeigneczi2524
      @joeigneczi2524 Před 3 lety

      @George Lucian true but I don’t have the best internet for streaming movies

    • @yaykruser
      @yaykruser Před 2 lety

      @@joeigneczi2524 but how do you get the wire?

    • @joeigneczi2524
      @joeigneczi2524 Před 2 lety

      Yay KRUSER oh had neighbors give me a bunch of broken extension cord and Christmas lights

  • @Blue-zx7ot
    @Blue-zx7ot Před 4 lety +24

    Cheapest diy copper stripper is a plumbing flaring tool. Forget the attachments and keep the frame. Sandwich a razor blade tween the jaws according to your wire size. It's my go to tool. Thub 4 present 👍👍👍👍

    • @joshuamorris9050
      @joshuamorris9050 Před 4 lety +2

      Blue 414 I bought a manual stripper from amazon with two blades for 40 buck it paid for itself first time

    • @daltonh9898
      @daltonh9898 Před 4 lety +1

      same

    • @joshuamorris9050
      @joshuamorris9050 Před 4 lety +1

      Deane Minister yea but razor blades didn’t last that long this stripper comes with two blades. One lasted me like a year b4 I needed to sharpen it

  • @svanfaro
    @svanfaro Před rokem +6

    I really love your videos, I'm not a beginner anymore but because of you I started really making money scrapping I'm just 14 but I still make a lot from scrapping. Thanks for all the tips your so awesome

    • @Doughboy_540
      @Doughboy_540 Před 6 měsíci +1

      tips on finding wire and stuff?

    • @brucecordwell5525
      @brucecordwell5525 Před 4 měsíci

      ​@@Doughboy_540abandoned buildings and factorys you from the UK ??

  • @ETSRY2K
    @ETSRY2K Před 4 lety +41

    I've stripped a LOT of copper. If you have BX or Romex I always strip and separate because the Bare Bright payout will always be in my favor. I stripped 350 lbs of it one month in my living room watching baseball. Once I get it collected and separated I strip it in batches while I would normally be sitting around watching TV or Netflix.

    • @Chewy_GarageBandDad
      @Chewy_GarageBandDad Před 3 lety +3

      Love it. I do the same. Watch TV and strip copper.

    • @Himithor
      @Himithor Před 2 lety +3

      I thought I was the only one that did that!😂😂😂😂😂

    • @babalolaibrahimmayowa3789
    • @rickstover6019
      @rickstover6019 Před rokem +2

      I watch TV and strip wires alot too I have a hand held stripper that can do small gages of wires to I fixed it to a press but I also have a hand crank stripper for bigger gages as well both work great

  • @6FeetDeep4U
    @6FeetDeep4U Před 4 lety +21

    Great informative video. No studdering or Uh's. Just a perfect presentation. Thank you for the video. I actually use a utility knife with a serrated blade. I use each groove of. The serrated until it isn't very sharp & then goto the next serrations to strip my copper wire. Cheap & recyclable blades that last me quite a while.

    • @mitsos306ify
      @mitsos306ify Před 2 lety

      Totally agree!
      I use my wooden ladder and I pass the wire through the steps in order to keep at the height it suit me!

    • @zerocool7772
      @zerocool7772 Před rokem

      I use an old japanese filleting knife I found at the dump. It's awesome

  • @greendotscott5038
    @greendotscott5038 Před rokem +2

    That settles it, I'm starting to scrap part time. I work at a school and they throw out so many Ethernet cables and wires and metal things. I've accumulated a butt load. This video is excellent learning material. I use to scrap copper when I worked as a specialist roofer in Louisiana, it was fun. Thanks for this.

  • @sureshdutt8294
    @sureshdutt8294 Před 4 lety +4

    You are very sensitive soul for environment.God bless you.

  • @davidoberle9023
    @davidoberle9023 Před 4 lety +24

    Protip: If you've got smaller single strand wire that has a thick core and thin insulation look into buying a pipe flanging tool. Put a razor blade in between the steel block and pull your wire through.

    • @95ffd
      @95ffd Před 2 lety +1

      I would love to see a picture of what your talking about. I can’t picture how this would work. Thank you!!!

    • @davidoberle9023
      @davidoberle9023 Před 2 lety +3

      @@95ffd If you look up "pipe flanging tool" you'll see an image of a metal block with varying hole sizes and a set of butterfly screws to tighten the assembly. Just slip a razor in between the two halves before you tighten down and then pull your wire through.

    • @blaccsilverstaff5484
      @blaccsilverstaff5484 Před 2 lety

      🤑

    • @wuz2do
      @wuz2do Před rokem

      Great idea thanks for sharing

    • @stuffshop4883
      @stuffshop4883 Před rokem +1

      What a great tip!! 👏👏
      Here in South Africa they call it a pipe flaring tool…I can see how this can work like a charm. 👍
      Thanks for sharing your ingenuity with us!!

  • @eagleeyes5638
    @eagleeyes5638 Před 4 lety +5

    Greetings Thubprint. You were really missed. You're so inspirational & i like your style. Guys like you Vidvulture, Dumpster Jerry, Professor Scrappity, S&P man, Florida scrapper, Canadian Hunter Scrapper& Scrap Kingdom have so much integrity, hardworking & humble individuals. Ladies like that Breakfast girl Kelly, Steven/Steph, Diving Dee,Angel & family(with that adorable 7mos. Old baby Samuel)Ms.Canadian scrapper. PLEASE PLEASE don't stop making them video's. Be safe,healthy &blessed always

  • @martinc591
    @martinc591 Před 4 lety +63

    One thing that I will say about stripping is to learn the rates of recovery on the different types of wire. For example thhn is roughly 85 percent, this way you can weigh a given amount ( say 5 feet) then do the math and know what the difference in payout is going to be before you strip it. That way you can decide pretty quick what is worth stripping and what isn't.

    • @the.dummerplummer
      @the.dummerplummer Před 3 lety

      Sorry if I sound like an idiot but what does “rates of recovery” mean? And I have about 60 pounds of thhn wire from my jobsite so how much should I save up to get a decent amount of money? Thank you in advance.

    • @martinc591
      @martinc591 Před 3 lety +6

      Rates of recovery means the percentage of copper verses coating by weight. Simply put if you have ten pounds of wire at 85 percent recovery you will get eight and a half pounds of clean copper if you strip it.

    • @Dani-ELmaninnoboxes
      @Dani-ELmaninnoboxes Před 3 lety

      yea but they pay way less for dirty

    • @JaakkoF
      @JaakkoF Před rokem

      @@Dani-ELmaninnoboxes That is why you need to know the rate of recovery. Sure it is nice if you get a bit more from the bright copper, but if your rate of recovery is like 50 %, the price difference between dirty and bright sould be at least double. Plus it takes time and effort to strip the wires, so you have to put a value for your hours also, as in do you hunt for more (dirty) copper or spend that time peeling wires.

  • @rezwarrior615
    @rezwarrior615 Před 4 lety +4

    Hands down the best scrapper personality on CZcams by miles

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 4 lety +1

      😳❤️ high praise, my guy! I’ll work hard to honour it 👏

  • @vanjoe7751
    @vanjoe7751 Před 4 lety +91

    My wife will be very mad at me if I get a tabletop stripper!

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 4 lety +13

      🤣 just tell her how it pays itself off! And you won’t have to borrow the kitchen knives anymore!

    • @joshuamorris9050
      @joshuamorris9050 Před 4 lety +2

      They are like 40 buck

    • @terrycavanagh8868
      @terrycavanagh8868 Před 4 lety +1

      @@thubprint im
      I

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 3 lety +16

      Wait a second... was that a joke? This guy was making a joke! It wasn’t bad either, I’m just dense enough that it took me almost a year to get it 🤣
      If you see this Joe... ayyyyyyyyy!

    • @wrenchboostboi8994
      @wrenchboostboi8994 Před 3 lety +2

      It was a joke boyz...

  • @pederlindstrom3132
    @pederlindstrom3132 Před 4 lety +4

    Hello, Sweden here again.
    I do just about the same as you.
    I always cut all connectors and plugs off my wires, prongs and things go in my brass bucket.
    My yard loves it because they know it's clean scrap wire and quick to unload and already sorted in categories so I do get a better price.
    Ask how the scrapyard wants their material and try to get as close to it as you can, win-win.
    Scrap safe and take care.

    • @stevespenceroz
      @stevespenceroz Před 2 lety

      Yep, all plugs and connectors cut off. They also pay for plugs (eg mains plugs) as there's brass inside I guess. But first I cut the mains plugs 3 pins off. My yard will allow the earthing pin to be in the clean brass pile, but the other 2 pins these days have plastic insulation covering some of the pin - so they drop into my #2 brass pile. They are strict lol. It's only 3 quick snips...and all adds up when you get loads of plugs...

  • @flexedout6650
    @flexedout6650 Před 3 lety +25

    I made my own “stripper” using two steel 1” sprinkler pipes, bearings, all threaded rod and a corded drill. It’s more of a “pincher” than a stripper. Will strip anything 1” or longer. The faster you feed it, the faster it strips. It’s fantastic. I’m an electrician so copper isn’t an issue. I also melt and cast it....Think I’ll go strip some now :)

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 3 lety +3

      You wanna make a second one? 🤣

    • @joenewman763
      @joenewman763 Před 2 lety

      I wish some company would make one like your talking about I believe it would strip that small stranded wire better than the cutting blades do

    • @flexedout6650
      @flexedout6650 Před 2 lety +1

      @@joenewman763 it more or less eats it to pieces. I’ve tried running stranded wire through it before but it just flattens it for the most part. For smaller stranded wire, I like to drill a small hole in my work table and tighten a screw from the side into the hole just enough to cut the plastic on the outside of the wire, I just pull it through the hole by hand. For bigger stranded wire, I’ll just tie it off to a post or something and walk backwards with a sharp blade

    • @joenewman763
      @joenewman763 Před 2 lety

      The stripmiester will cut anything down to #16 awg but smaller than that is a pain your probably right either strip it with a knife or don't fool with it at all which is what I usually do.

    • @stuffshop4883
      @stuffshop4883 Před rokem

      Now that’s ingenious! 👏👏 Thank you 👍

  • @michaelguthrie3672
    @michaelguthrie3672 Před 4 lety +19

    One thing I do is put one end of wire in a vice and pull the other end tight then use box cutter or knife n strip toward the vice. Good info thanks !!

    • @joshuamorris9050
      @joshuamorris9050 Před 4 lety +3

      Michael Guthrie it’s only 40 bucks for a manual stripper with 2 blades it’s worth it and you’ll save a lot of money on razors

    • @windracerweatherbee3780
      @windracerweatherbee3780 Před 4 lety +2

      @@joshuamorris9050 What brand do you recommend Josh -

    • @zone4garlicfarm
      @zone4garlicfarm Před 2 lety

      I find it easier to use an old kitchen knife than a box cutter or razor knife. The razor edge tends to dig into the copper while the kitchen knife only cuts the insulation. A kitchen knife also has a better handle.

  • @toddpalmatier2163
    @toddpalmatier2163 Před 2 lety +7

    Dude your spot on. Actually worked for a scrap yard processing their copper and brass. And again you are spot on. Biggest problem beginners have is impatience not willing to sort and process.

    • @ivysmith2794
      @ivysmith2794 Před rokem

      How much would they buy an alternator for?

  • @thetalkingelement2415
    @thetalkingelement2415 Před 4 lety +14

    Plumber here, in Australia. I find brass is more profitable for me at the moment.

  • @susiemo6295
    @susiemo6295 Před 3 lety +4

    Thank you. I was sitting here trying to strip that tiny wire. You saved me a ton of time😌

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 3 lety +1

      That’s what I’m here for! I recently did a video comparing all the wires I could find to see which were worthwhile czcams.com/video/K2IApTCFjE4/video.html
      Turns out they all pay off, but the #2 stuff is basically impossible to make decent money for the time it takes

  • @Thomas-gm7wb
    @Thomas-gm7wb Před 4 lety +2

    Seriously, I just because a huge fan. Your videos are EXTREMELY helpful to people like me, new at this.

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 4 lety

      Thank you! And yes, I figured it would be nice to have this miniseries just to cover all the basics. A lot of the time once we have a little experience in something we forget what the journey to that point was like, and become blind to the challenges that other people may face. My first few trips to the yard, I thought I was SO organized, only to learn the hard way that I didn’t know a darn thing about my material! If I can save somebody a bit of time and get them a little more money, that’s excellent 👍

    • @welshreaperscrapandcasting4029
      @welshreaperscrapandcasting4029 Před 4 lety

      I just smelt all my scrap copper and aluminium after stripping it clean then put a nice mirror finish on it and either pop it on ebay or put it in a tub to go to the scrappie

  • @RyanSharpie
    @RyanSharpie Před 4 lety +13

    My man, I appreciate the shout and the tip. Great video. Gotta love it

  • @akparker08
    @akparker08 Před rokem

    That's where I just left you a comment about burning wire and then I watch another one your videos and here you are talking about that's incredible stay strong my friend

  • @ryanpinkham6784
    @ryanpinkham6784 Před 4 lety +2

    A couple of years later, and I still love your channel.

  • @jenjenkoz
    @jenjenkoz Před 2 měsíci

    I've been scrapping for quite a few years and I'm one of those ones who will strip all the wire that's worth stripping. I thought this video was very informative, but even if it wasn't, I could watch you all day talk about absolutely nothing! You are just too cute! 💕 Happy scrapping!
    Maybe you could do a video on scrapping brass. That is where I get confused. (Is it red brass or copper, is it white brass or aluminum or stainless)? Thank you

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 2 měsíci

      Oh fair enough! (And thank you hehe ☺️) I’ve done a video on brass before but I don’t think I spent much of it helping clarify brass vs other materials. I don’t bother separating red brass because I don’t find much of it but I’ll usually just file the piece or scrape it on the pavement real quick to see if it’s brass underneath 👍

  • @MrRusty-fm4gb
    @MrRusty-fm4gb Před rokem +1

    If you have long pieces of hard-strip-but-worth-it copper wire, suspend it across a room and clamp it down while pulling it taut. Then run a utility knife down it and strip away long pieces at once. I’ve had an idea of anchoring a piece of wood with a V notch in it and put a small piece of a razor blade at the bottom, then have a top piece of wood that hangs but weighted down and is attached the bottom piece with a hinge, and then pull pieces of wire through it with vise grips. Havnt made it yet but it’s an idea. Also you can stand on one end of a piece of wire and hold the other end tight with one hand, then use your other hand and strip it using a utility knife pulling upwards. That’s worked fast for me.

  • @AjayTheShark
    @AjayTheShark Před měsícem

    When we lived in SC my husband and I used to walk 10 miles a day on the highway, It averaged out to $300.00 plus per day! No joke. You'd be shocked at what people throw into the woods and gullies!

  • @allfather5150
    @allfather5150 Před 4 lety +3

    I bought a hand held wire stripper from Sears for like $30. Basically it's a tool that forces a small razor blade tip just through the outer shielding of the wire. I can strip a vacuum cord fully in around a minute.

    • @chipurmunki
      @chipurmunki Před 4 lety

      I've made a couple with varying degrees of success. Tried drilling holes in a 2x4 of various sizes and screwing a sturdy nails down through the holes, gauging boards and screwing razor blades over the tips of the divets, but my preferred method is just a vegetable or potato peeler. But I deal with thinner wires.

    • @brianspencer6955
      @brianspencer6955 Před 4 lety +1

      You're losing more weight in insulation than the increased value makes up for, I've found.

    • @allfather5150
      @allfather5150 Před 4 lety +3

      My yard considers stripped wire bare bright so I strip everything vacuum thickness and up. Just wanted to give a safer alternative that saves thumbs.

  • @TheMusicforeal
    @TheMusicforeal Před 2 lety +2

    Very intuitive video!! I would of never thought that I would be doing scrapping!! I am starting to make good money as a start!! Thank you my friend!!

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 2 lety +1

      Well congratulations! It’s a difficult thing to make a full time gig but as a side hustle I think it’s great

  • @luvsmokeyyd7278
    @luvsmokeyyd7278 Před rokem +1

    I really dnt know much about scraping but I do enjoy it

  • @Guineken420
    @Guineken420 Před 4 lety +15

    Good tip for storing pipes: if you have them cut in relatively the same lengths, you can put a 1/2” inside a 3/4”, then that inside a 1”, and so on

    • @wrenchboostboi8994
      @wrenchboostboi8994 Před 3 lety +5

      I do the exact same thing... but be careful!! I have made the mistake of going out in my socks or flipflops to sort and carelessly picking up some bigger size ones and having the hidden inside pipe slip out and fall on my toe/foot! The ends can be sharp too and it hurts like a mofo... sometimes ill still hammer the ends to keep them from slipping apart.

    • @stevespenceroz
      @stevespenceroz Před 2 lety +1

      @@wrenchboostboi8994 you just have to be careful though as the yard might pull one out for a random check and feel it's heavier than normal but can't see inside due to the hammered ends...thus not accepting your word that its actually all more copper inside (instead of other, cheaper, heavier non-magnetic metal like brass or SS).

  • @johnmitchell2796
    @johnmitchell2796 Před 3 lety +2

    Aight I’m liking this video cause I’ve stripped wire and you made me look like I have feet for hands.
    And I’m glad to hear u say don’t burn it

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 3 lety

      🤣 I’m sure you aren’t that bad at it! I pick my battles though, I only strip decently thick stuff and only when warm. I have run into some pieces though, plenty thick but with the insulation caked right into the strands. Such a pain, I actually gave up halfway though. A bit embarrassed to admit it, but it just wasn’t worth the time.

  • @JanieBailey-bi8wg
    @JanieBailey-bi8wg Před 15 dny

    If it's frozen just take it by the end and slap it hard as you can on the concrete and it breaks the outer coating really easy and wow fast! Thought I would give you a hack back

  • @garethcollins8201
    @garethcollins8201 Před 3 lety +3

    Thanks for the video, it was much help. Just one thing from where I live. The scrap dealers where I live will offer a fifth of the scrap price from unstripped wire, so in some areas the stripping of wire would be an advantage for more money, so check your local scrap merchants and ask what the price difference is for stripped and unstripped.

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 3 lety +3

      Fair enough! I have noticed that the price for insulated wire is pretty bad at some yards

  • @jefrysax
    @jefrysax Před 4 lety +2

    When I was scrapping back in the day ... I
    Whenever I saw copper my mood lightens, I really liked how the metal felt and looked .... o called it copper fever.... like with gold....

  • @ojsdiysjensen7
    @ojsdiysjensen7 Před 4 lety +5

    Thanks man for the info I scrap in my spare time and this really helps you have a great channel I'll be going Monday to our local hospital and asking about a good size load its different types of metals so I think it might be worth the trip

  • @alfredlamothe5268
    @alfredlamothe5268 Před 4 lety +2

    I recently started cutting the BB out of the small fan motors inside the back of microwaves. Oh by the way I'm with you on that friend or guy down the street, "why don't you just burn the skin off the wire" or "cut the compressor lines for the copper" I absolutely dislike those practices, its totally different if the compressor is already drained properly. I'm not greedy I love scrapping it's my hobby. Cash in my pocket

  • @katherinekelly6432
    @katherinekelly6432 Před 3 měsíci

    Just my humble opinion but if you are not doing something in the media, you should be. You are more polished than most people making million dollar a year salaries.

  • @charlie15627
    @charlie15627 Před rokem +2

    You DO NOT need a “big” knife to strip wire. You only end up using the inch or two from the handle.
    More important is how the knife fits your hand. You want a knife that is comfortable to hold tightly for long periods of time. If it has a hilt guard or bulge between the blade and handle it helps too.
    My favorite pocket knife has stripped more wire than I can count. A simple paring knife works beautifully. Many scalpers I know just use utility knives but I find the blade to be a hair too short, making it too easy for the blade to slip out of the insulation.
    75-90% of that butchers knife blade will never be used.

  • @ScrapPalletMan
    @ScrapPalletMan Před 4 lety +116

    Did someone say copper? 😁

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 4 lety +11

      Scrap & Pallet Man Right? 😄 I hope everyone likes it!

    • @everythingcustom3822
      @everythingcustom3822 Před 4 lety +4

      PAUL!!!!!! we all love copper and we all love you god bless brother

    • @robertstafford3449
      @robertstafford3449 Před 4 lety +2

      Now why would I be surprised to see Paul...lol

    • @alexandrugeorgescu472
      @alexandrugeorgescu472 Před 3 lety

      When I see copper I go watch the video.
      I'm about to start street scraping and all of you guys are so helpfull

    • @Xplorewithmatt
      @Xplorewithmatt Před 3 lety

      Lol yes they did mate and I've just watched your last video mate Clifford looks good now

  • @mercadodareciclagem6859
    @mercadodareciclagem6859 Před 4 lety +3

    Sick, I work on this here in Brazil. Good job buddy!

  • @bgffsmyth516
    @bgffsmyth516 Před 4 lety +6

    I am a lifetime scrapper. If you live where it's cold or if it is cold. Then the person who said hit it with a hammer is on target. Like a small 3 pound sledge. Works best on bigger wire. Side note number1 is size of a number 2 pencil lead or number 12 house wire,no paint,or solder,must be fairly clean. Be nice to your local scrap metal workers. They take a lot of crap.

    • @mattadam4332
      @mattadam4332 Před 4 lety +1

      Yes...we do,you have to realize,every scrap yard is different,say,some places buy bare bright, but where I work,we have to buy it as #1 clean copper

    • @mattadam4332
      @mattadam4332 Před 4 lety +1

      Remember,we all have rules we have to follow,we may catch crap from customers,but we have to follow them,or we're out of a job

  • @avman2cl
    @avman2cl Před 2 lety +3

    I'm about to do a massive copper run tomorrow. Appreciate the advice. I have the strip meister original. If you have a lot of wire, it will pay for itself quickly.

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 2 lety +1

      Ooo, StripMeister are the good ones!

    • @avman2cl
      @avman2cl Před 2 lety +1

      @@thubprint yeah, my laborer spent 8 hours on it. used it to chew through 2 big bins of copper wire. It worked awesome but it only came out to 40lbs of bright brass which was deceiving

  • @propercopper5100
    @propercopper5100 Před 4 lety +3

    Nice video man, worldwide scrappers! Scrapping in Australia!

  • @flyzep8941
    @flyzep8941 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Bro you give the best advice ever 😂

  • @aglock10glock34
    @aglock10glock34 Před 4 lety +2

    Thanks man, this info was very helpful. I'm retired and have plenty of time to prepare the copper that I have. I've called around various scrap yards and as of this post the price for #1 is around $1.60. This down from $1.90 prior to the C19 crap. I decided to just sit on it until the price goes up. However, your tips were helpful in that I will take this time to turn the #1 stuff into bright-shinny stuff. Only 75 or 80 pounds so it won't take long. Thanks again.

  • @thomascox2866
    @thomascox2866 Před 3 lety +1

    Rush, Poutine, and Thub. My 3 favorite things from Canada!

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 3 lety +1

      😂 thats an esteemed list, and I am honoured!

  • @SwiftCreationStudio
    @SwiftCreationStudio Před 2 lety +1

    History Lesson: The statue of Liberty is made of copper. A lot of people forget this because it's been green for so long no one really recognizes it but originally it was a shiny copper color o.o
    Personally, when I was younger I wished that one day they would clean it up and remove the oxidized layer. Of course it would be temporary and it wouldn't be good for it long term.
    No idea why I felt like saying that but I find it cool XD

  • @scavengernick3191
    @scavengernick3191 Před 4 lety +2

    Table stripper all the way. I range from 6$ to 20$ an hour(or more) depending on the wires, doing small gauges last. Like you said, the volume in the end does most of the talking. Good video, smart, entertaining, liked.

    • @weallride101
      @weallride101 Před 2 lety

      How small of gauge do you go? And what table top stripper are you using?

    • @scavengernick3191
      @scavengernick3191 Před 2 lety

      @@weallride101 i'll do 14awg because it passes still in #1 copper. Smaller if there's nothing else to scrap but at that point just picking steel is better. I have the machine on my channel, one my old videos.

  • @SkibroDuck
    @SkibroDuck Před 3 lety +1

    I love your videos. You have lots of info. I don't scrape anymore, but I still find it interesting. I guess it's in my blood.

  • @seanl.7088
    @seanl.7088 Před 4 lety +3

    Copper bullion bars sold online hand poured do suprisingly well, same with lead and aluminum

  • @kentieber7309
    @kentieber7309 Před rokem

    this was a good video. I have been scrapping since i was 16 and im 55 now. Talking with your scrap yard and building a relationship is the best advice given. i just got a granulator and i need to talk with them if they take granulated copper and at what size

  • @ladigger362
    @ladigger362 Před rokem +1

    Great video ! Very informative .Keep up the great work Scrap On!

  • @randyhedeen8013
    @randyhedeen8013 Před 6 měsíci

    Where I live in the US, bare bright is wire only, 12 gauge or bigger, applies to solid and stranded wire, no tubing or pipe. #1 is the same for wire and includes any other thick copper, tubing, and pipe, patina is OK, #2 is 14 gauge and smaller for wire and includes tubing and pipe with solder, verdigris, etc.

  • @eba44
    @eba44 Před 4 lety +5

    Thanks for this! I'm living in a state where the scrap yard is 1+ hours away, so I'm hoarding what I gather. I now have a better idea of how to deal with it all when the time comes to head south.

  • @ryans2745
    @ryans2745 Před 2 lety +1

    Great video you have a new fan. 👍

  • @aberhan
    @aberhan Před 3 lety +3

    Thanks for the tips. For stripping solid copper wire I clamp a utility knife in a vise and pull the wire through guiding it against the blade by hand. Doesn’t work as well for wire with strands though, best with solid wire as AC household wiring. Smaller wire, I don’t bother stripping, yeah I looked at table mounted wire strippers but couldn’t justify the cost.

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 3 lety +2

      The tabletop ones can be a little fiddly too, they’re definitely best for heavier gauge stuff. I’ll have to try the clamped blade technique!

    • @rossbrumby1957
      @rossbrumby1957 Před rokem

      I spent a grand on a multi disc stripper (9 sizes plus fine tuning adjustments) had it 5 months and have it's value in copper sitting in the corner. Well worth it, and being electric makes it fast and easy. Mess around with blades pulling wire through and you'll likely have an accident someday- not to mention the sore hands you get from manual stripping with a knife or mounted blade.

  • @glennhodnett7179
    @glennhodnett7179 Před 4 lety +7

    Good video, think you missed armoured cable off that list, ethernet cable although thin its solid as opposed to braided thats why its worth more, also look out for cheap steel copper coated cable a magnet will detect that, we granulate copper for a living so this is out of experience and we are finding more of it

    • @stevespenceroz
      @stevespenceroz Před 2 lety +1

      My Australian yards pay less for data cables. I'm presuming that includes ethernet as well as ribbon....

  • @charlesvanenwyck7317
    @charlesvanenwyck7317 Před rokem

    A good tip from a guy that works at a scrap yard....
    If coper wire has individual strands bigger that the thickness of a pencil led. It is worth more and worth more striped.

  • @donaldshimkus539
    @donaldshimkus539 Před 2 lety +1

    Great video. I'm glad you gave good detail on the burning of insulation from wires. It IS illegal and can cause cancer. I tell many scrappers I know about that and most look at me like I'm crazy. For #2 copper pipe, I cut off the fittings and any parts with solder on them. That way I salvage as much #1 as possible. That's my tip.

  • @claytonlirot5538
    @claytonlirot5538 Před rokem

    thank you so much man, i’ve asked so many people and never got a clear answer

  • @nicolaschu9599
    @nicolaschu9599 Před 4 lety +5

    I've got some tips that have worked for me:
    1) Some of the small single insulated wires from appliances/ wire harness can be sold for double the value of extension cords with plugs and connectors removed (zip ties/tape is ok).
    2) Find a scrap yard that buys insulated wire with plugs at a high price. Plugs add A LOT of weight. I have two yards I typically sell insulated wire to, yard A was paying $0.40/lb for #2 insulated (w/plugs) back in January. Yard B was paying $0.35/lb (with plugs) and $0.40/lb (w/out plugs).
    3) Call and visit more scrap yards to find the best options.

  • @taylorjams4845
    @taylorjams4845 Před 3 lety +3

    I just take a torch and get it warm. I dont burn it at all. But its much quicker and more efficient.

  • @L3V1T8-84
    @L3V1T8-84 Před 2 lety +1

    BX cables can also be turned into garden hoses and power washer hoses too, pretty easily at the hardward store.

  • @josdedam
    @josdedam Před 2 lety +1

    Been watching you for a while and enjoy your stuff, But. ... . Get youself a wire striper...; put a couple bucks away on each load, I did. After a bit of stripping you'll be looking at those extension cords a little diff.

  • @ariesmariano4592
    @ariesmariano4592 Před 4 lety +2

    Very nice video and thank you so much to give the tip for wire.awesome

  • @anemone104
    @anemone104 Před rokem

    Leave it better than you found it.... I wish that was universal. Thanks for posting,

  • @donaldshimkus539
    @donaldshimkus539 Před 2 lety +1

    I once had 1000 ft of #4 thhn to strip so I made my own stripper and hooked it to the trailer ball on my truck. Once started, I pulled it through with my riding mower. Almost flawless. Made short work of that 1k ft of cable. And more later on.

  • @stacimercado3781
    @stacimercado3781 Před 3 lety +1

    Its a bit different where I am. Of course Bare Bright is the same. # 1 Copper is free of solder/solder joints/paint...stuff like that. #2 Copper is copper that is not shiny and bright,may have paint or solder and/ or small stranded wire. Our scrap yards here do not take ANY small stranded wire as #1 copper. Our other grades of wire are #1 Insulated wire which is things like romex or wire that is basically like your bare bright or #1 copper but with the insulation still on it. Then you have #2 insulated wire, which is things like power cords to electronics or cat 5 or telephone wire...stuff like that. That is the lowest grade of copped wire. I personally strip any wire that is 14 gauge or larger, the insulation weighs practically nothing at all and you literally triple your money. It seems insane to me that someone that has a scrapping channel doesn't strip their wire at all. By the way....when you do strip wire...please use a razor/utility knife so that you can at least look like you know what you're doing... I can strip a 30ft piece of 14 or larger gauge wire in about 30 to 45 seconds. It is all in the technique. But after doing it for years, I have pretty much become a professional at it. If I have 30ft of 10 gauge wire and its insulated when I turn it in...with current prices I will get about $1.80 per pound. If I strip it... I will get $3.50 per pound. The insulation that comes off of it doesn't even register on a scale so I practically double my money by stripping the wire. And again... Because I've been scrapping and stripping wire for so long... It takes me practically no time at all to strip it. Here in Florida, scrap yards will no longer buy burnt wire....so to get paid better than #1 insulated wire....you have to strip it.

  • @Sniperboy5551
    @Sniperboy5551 Před rokem

    I’ve never really been into the whole scrapping thing, but I’ve always had a weird passion for taking things apart ever since I was a kid. Maybe this is something I could do to earn some extra income, it seems like fun!

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před rokem

      It really is fun. The trick is knowing what kind of time you’re willing to spend on it because lots of things are not worth the time required

  • @bobbyjbear
    @bobbyjbear Před 2 lety +1

    Great video man! You did well , I've watched few of your videos and have definitely picked up on a few things. I drive roll off and company runs 2 transfer stations , I come across copper alot of days. As years are going by I've gotten much more aware and taking action (I used to not , and just dump everything at landfill) , I have biggest pile I've ever had currently , price way down and I'll be keeping that right in storage unit till times right. Thanks!

  • @golabrecykling
    @golabrecykling Před rokem +1

    About stripping wires: I've got exactly the same method but my knife is not that big 😊 I also clean wires from PC power supplies and all of that thin stuff

  • @damianduarte5908
    @damianduarte5908 Před 4 lety

    This is a great video and very true. Im a residential electrican and i ALWAYS have scrap wire. Always comea out to a grand a month..more or less 👌

  • @familydogg1234
    @familydogg1234 Před 6 měsíci

    I strip romex and get one Bare Bright ground wire. Also 2 plastic coated wires. If it's not thin gauge- I strip it for $1.00 more. I bought an Electric Wire stripper for $189. It paid for itself 4 times over- in 2 months!!!! I had so much thin gauge thnn wire I cashed it in " as is". Two rules I have- invest in tools to be efficient and only strip when the junk yards closed

  • @TeppopucT
    @TeppopucT Před 4 lety +2

    Thank you so much. I'm knowing all about scrapping now.
    It,s time to take all data from internet!
    Good luck me! I'm natural programmer now!

  • @callumminion7409
    @callumminion7409 Před 2 lety

    I been collecting
    Leads it got Millberry Copper as some clean and some glue or burnt I separate them I use the potatoes peeler to strip leads
    The next one the copper pipe I use sand paper I just sand the pipe out it clean
    Dosmic copper wire I always use it to put it away make it more weight
    Alumium wire leads
    If wire got burnt half money
    If wire clean good cash

  • @MissCanadian
    @MissCanadian Před 4 lety +2

    Copper copper copper all Scrapper love it

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 4 lety +2

      Miss Canadian Scrapper scrappers gold! Assuming of course, the scrapper doesn’t find actual gold

    • @MissCanadian
      @MissCanadian Před 4 lety +1

      @@thubprint I got silver in the mail today does that count

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 4 lety

      Miss Canadian Scrapper umm... yes? Lol

    • @Chewy_GarageBandDad
      @Chewy_GarageBandDad Před 4 lety

      Most Scrappers I have dealt with lately have been loving on some catalytic converters from the 1998 Honda Accord to the 2002 Honda Accord. Our guy is paying $600 a piece. Very easy to find people wanting you to take their Toyota / Honda / GMC 26ft 1982 straight truck... Little laughter on that last one.
      Anyways I'm new to the game and I have gotten my feet wet over the past month. Got real lucky finding 15 of the early 21st century TVs that weigh 600 lb. Every one of them had a lot of copper as well as some other traditionally e- metals. In someone else's video I had seen that ink cartridges made from HP have a little bit of gold in the strip. I have had my printer for 10 years now and have went through a shhhhhh....oe box of two of them cartridges. Well I thought I'd comment.
      I'm also thinking of a way I can deploy my drone, IDK maybe to help locate certain areas that I would like to scavenge..... try this again, have a good morning

  • @jamesflash4302
    @jamesflash4302 Před rokem

    I just put all the wire from the year in a big drum and burn it off. Been doing that for years. Saves all that time stripping the wire

  • @jimcatanzaro7808
    @jimcatanzaro7808 Před 19 dny

    Can you make a video inside and interview a scrap yard worker and look at different materials and machines in the yard and take us through the process of going in and selling a few batches of different copper

  • @newfiescrapper2525
    @newfiescrapper2525 Před 4 lety +2

    I recommend getting a stripping machine. If you are not stripping most of the wire because it takes too long. Then the machine will pay for itself pretty quickly.

  • @cygnus1965
    @cygnus1965 Před 3 lety +1

    Calling Different yards is a must around here. There are days when one yard will be paying more for lead and the other more for copper and it can be well
    Worth going to the two different yards to make the most bank.
    One other thing I recommend is to weigh your material before you take it in and not to just trust their scales at the yards.

    • @ivysmith2794
      @ivysmith2794 Před rokem +1

      How much would they pay for an alternator ?

  • @gjavolgjavolot9500
    @gjavolgjavolot9500 Před 3 lety

    damn, best tutorial video on yt I have watched since 2010, keep it up man!

  • @thebackwoodsmechanic5029

    You can also sale wire online for higher prices than scrap prices sometimes. I've made bank scrapping in the trades . Christmas paid for. Tools paid for

    • @user-dp7pe2xz2m
      @user-dp7pe2xz2m Před 2 lety

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  • @ilyaasahmad7229
    @ilyaasahmad7229 Před rokem

    I love your channel so much because it helps many peoples and one of the peoples is me thank you so much for making this channel

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před rokem

      Just make sure you check what the price difference is at your yard! I was really surprised that mine was so close, and a lot of comments are sharing that their dirty brass price is a whole lot lower than clean, so it definitely depends on your numbers

  • @brianallison1913
    @brianallison1913 Před 2 lety

    If you have any apartment complexes near you I find the dumpsters are a treasure trove of metals to scrap.

  • @mikeq5073
    @mikeq5073 Před 4 lety +2

    Nice brother from toronto here sending the love and stay healthy

    • @thubprint
      @thubprint  Před 4 lety

      You too! It’s apparently kinda hard these days

  • @chrissheffield4662
    @chrissheffield4662 Před rokem

    I just subscribed to your channel have watched quite a few of your videos I'll find them informative articulate and intelligent and quite entertaining thank you

  • @deadechorh
    @deadechorh Před 2 lety +1

    If you stretch your copper tight you can walk the knife down it. I use a couple bench vise's

  • @b-rone5161
    @b-rone5161 Před 4 lety +2

    Houston 60-80F in December no wonder I never thought cold would make it harder to skin.
    Self taught myself talking to people in line the number 1 answer I got about when to sale was, when the gas price is low.
    Diffrent country but looking at coca cola can there is a list of states that pay a nickel a can, Texas pays by the pound of cans. So maybe that has something to do with why the price of gas is the main anwser I got for the best time to sale.

  • @chrisclayton2206
    @chrisclayton2206 Před 4 lety

    i live in welland ont.i am neww at scraping just wonded to say thanks for doing this vido.it has helped me out so at that note i have a shop that i pay 100 bucks a mouth for i have two work tables a ton of tools for striping i dont have a full time job i was a truck driver but i got hurt loading brids on my trailor so i have all the time to strip everything i just got a trailor 8x8...now i am looking for a pick up truck o boy...the cost of a truck every one wonts big buck.....not bad for a new guy thanks keep the vids comeing

  • @maximolopez8638
    @maximolopez8638 Před 4 lety +1

    Thank you for your time brother

  • @UKscrapper
    @UKscrapper Před 4 lety +1

    Scrappers gold great video

  • @fishdog70
    @fishdog70 Před rokem

    In your cold climate try putting it in a tub of hot water it will soften up the insulation

  • @JohnnySwedishScrapper
    @JohnnySwedishScrapper Před 4 lety +2

    nice video ;) from scraper to scraper ;) and regards from sweden ;) and you got an new sub as well ;)

  • @CeluiEtSeul
    @CeluiEtSeul Před rokem

    Lol. I used a box cutter to stripp the wires. I mostly stripped those from BX electrical wires.

  • @andalaandame8551
    @andalaandame8551 Před 2 lety

    I saw a dude who built a clean air type thing that allows him to burn whatever cables he wants and still the air comes out white and clear.Thats smart i think.