how to remove insulation from wire for scrap

They're adjustable over a fairly wide range, the ones I can find all seem to strip magnet wire between 0.3mm to 2.5mm in diameter. Bluedog wire strippers have put together some of the best tips and tricks to help you get the highest dollar value. Discover the benefits of recycling your used aluminum cans. Download the iScrap App for FREE and check National Scrap Prices Daily. Put your enameled wire on its surface and press it down with a soldering iron's tip heated by operational temperature. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; What do you need to know about recycling in California? How To Strip Copper Wire For Scrap - Bluedog Wire Stripper Blog Not removing the enamel at all, just connecting through it to the metal wire, using either solder + flux + soldering iron, or a "vampire crimp" or "Insulation Displacement Connector" (IDC) type approach. What temperature do you solder LED strips? To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Make sure to wear gloves, we have heard too many stories of people cutting themselves. You can find it the table below. With our technology ever-growing, we have more electronics around us daily, which means more copper wire for scrap available. Make sure you have enough space to work with and the wire is not under tension. Not only does this pollute the environment with the exhaust fumes, the act of heating the insulation means that it may mark the copper and downgrade the copper and reduce the selling price due to the plastic residue. Rotate the wire stripper around the circumference of the wire to score the insulation. And the blades last a long time!" When it comes to stripping 500 MCM cable, Earl Harris trusts the Bluedog BWS-50 Multi Feed for stripping off the insulation. Be careful not to pull too hard or you may damage the wire. Hold the end of the wire near a flame from a lighter or matchstick for a few seconds until the insulation starts to melt. It takes a sharp blade, a steady hand and concentration to control the depth of the cut precisely. Use it like resin. Thank you, @KevinWhite. Burnt Copper - Learn More About Scrap Metals - iScrap App You should strip wires that are thicker than your fingers or a pen to get more copper scraps. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Just do a google, amazon, or ebay search for magnet wire strippers and you can find them fairly easily. If you look forward to making money through scrap copper metals, you should first learn to separate copper into #1 and #2 before heading to scrap yard to weigh and sell them. There are also strippers for those tiny little wires you find on doorbells and telephone lines. You dont want to press hard with the knife, or you could slice through the insulation and nick the metal conductors. The teeth of a serrated blade would just make a mess instead of slicing cleanly through the insulation. Bend and break the sheathing and slide it off. If you didn't do this, the coil would want to remain aligned in one direction and wouldn't . Even if you're a veteran around the scrap yard who usually recycles copper wire, say you land a nice load of Insulated Cable only to find out you really got your hands on Data Wire. Learn what e-waste recycling is. It will work better that way. How to prevent repeated re-soldering of SMD chip during testing? But if you have the material, it will definitely be worth the investment. If youre using the wire for an electrical project, youll only want to strip the insulation off of the tip. For the really thick high tension wire, use the 45 degree angle metal wire polish/scraping brush on your dremel drill tool. Why wouldnt you consider stripping this volume of scrap wire based on current scrap copper prices? You should have a clear knowledge of what weight of copper you want to strip on a regular basis and if the work will be worth the expense. They all seem to be essentially the same product, down to the model number (DF-6). But if you want to save some money we have some simple solutions for stripping scrap wire. How To Remove Insulation From Copper Wire#RemoveCoppeWinding#Recycle. How to remove kapton tape from soldered parts in bulk? How To Strip Copper Wire For Scrap - Hughes & Salvidge Metals Again, if youre unsure of the amount of wire you will be dealing with on a monthly basis we would recommend going with a BWS-38-MOTOR. The coating lifts and floats away. Be sure to select the wire stripper labeled for the type of wire youre working with. What should you do? Use the same pulling technique if youre using emery boards. You should check out the local scrap metal laws in your state to see whether or not burning copper is considered a crime. Use MathJax to format equations. When scraping and recycling, bare bright copper found Read More, When scraping and recycling, bare bright copper found inside electrical wire and cables is the most sought-after material. Score the plastic sheathing with a sharp knife if you dont have a special tool. Soldering is an essential skill for connecting wires to LED strips. *Another Idea: Not sure how much wire you scrap to save up for a stripper? During the hot summer, some days will be so hot that it could leave a plastic residue on your copper. Yes, I heard about that, and I tested this method with that wire - it didn't work. iScrap App, Inc. Rockaway, New Jersey| Privacy Policy| Terms & Conditions, Scrap Yards in US States | Scrap Yards in Canadian Provinces, Copyright 2011-2021 iScrap App, Inc.. If it's not sunny or you're working in the winter when no amount of sun is enough, try placing coils of insulated wire into hot but not boiling water for a few seconds at a time. Automatic machines can strip at least 200 feet (about 60 meters) per minute, but they cost several hundred dollars. Every dollar counts! Im waiting for my US passport (am a dual citizen). Manual strippers are powered by you pulling the wire through a set of rollers and a cutter blade or a crank that pushes the wire through.These machines are easily found for around $50, while a completely automatic mounted model is closer to $250 to $500. Even the manual stripper speeds up processing significantly, so consider the upgrade if your supply of wire is regular, even if you don't receive much at once. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Razor or Handheld Tool: When you are dealing with a few loads of wire a month and not pulling in a large quantity, it may be worth it to just use a razor orhandheld wire stripperfor your copper. Stripping 500 MCM cable using a Bluedog wire stripper, New Spring Tension System for the BWS-80 HD. To fit the live wire into the cap, you can simply cover it with tape. Wear work gloves when using sharp tools to prevent injury. A knife works best for stripping sheathing from cords. If you're careful not to over-heat the wire, this method should work fine +1 for comment about rotary collet strippers. 1-3 seconds is enough usually. Best Method to Strip enamel off magnet wire | All About Circuits Once the insulation is loosened, use your pliers to grip and pull it away from the wire. Some basic tips are to separate your #1 and #2 copper before heading to the scrap yard and stripping some copper wire can make you a lot more money at the scale. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. it is magnet wire and thin. Here are some tips to help you troubleshoot and fix the issue. Here is the money break down (we are going to use today's market prices for the following calculation). Additionally, be sure to take safety precautions when handling scrap wire, as it may still have sharp edges or other hazards even after the insulation is removed.How To Cap Off Electrical Wires?rlc talkif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'rlctalk_com-banner-1','ezslot_14',360,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rlctalk_com-banner-1-0'); There are several chemicals that can be used to remove copper wire insulation, but its important to note that they can be hazardous and should only be used with caution and proper safety measures. The no-burning solution is the most popular solution for stripping copper wire. While you can easily identify some scrap metal by sight, other types require more deliberate testing methods. Copper can be found in electrical wires, usually Burnt Copper is wire that has been burned to remove the insulation and cover from the wireA container can be delivered to your construction site, demolition job, or rip out site. Watch my 86 yr old grandmother strip wire. No scrap yards are required to honor or pay these prices. First you remove the outer plastic sheathing. With current market prices of copper wire, you would be surprised how quickly you can pay off the initial investment of a wire stripping machine. If youre removing insulation from wire for scrap, its important to do it in a way that maximizes the value of the scrap metal. When using a razor blade for stripping copper wire, be sure to cut away from you and use gloves for safety. Also be sure to check in with some other scrappers to see what kind of products they use, as they could have experience with other brands. Once the jacket is removed, determine the length of insulation you want to remove. The object here is that it is indeed momentum that then carries the coil through the remaining 180. though. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 5491 Austell Powder Springs Rd Call Our Office Now. Identifying Positive & Negative Wires: Colors & Power Types, How Do 15A and 20A Outlets Differ? Copper remains one of the most sought-after metals in the scrap industry. Small household appliances can be an excellent source of scrap metal. Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for electronics and electrical engineering professionals, students, and enthusiasts. They are small, lightweight, and designed to be used as single-use disposable batteries. It only takes a minute to sign up. 1 Get a wire stripping tool labelled for your type of wire. While you may think that no one will know that you're melting the wire, it's obvious to an experienced scrap metal buyerit just takes a single look. Really thin "magnet wires" tend to clump up with such treatment. If worried one could try more dilute sulfuric acid but I'm guessing this would work more slowly on the enamel. Gently close the wire strippers around the insulation about 1 inch from the end of the wire. No cable. I want to repair my computer mouse cable which has become disconnected from the PCB. The best option is e-waste recycling. Also, if you need precision magnet wire stripping capability (you people know who you are), then there is a much higher end tool for stripping magnet wire called a rotary collet stripper. While you don't want to use a torch or a burn barrel to apply direct heat to the wire, it is helpful to slightly warm the insulation to make it more pliable and soft before removing it by hand or with a machine.Just arranging your collection of cables and wires out in direct sun can speed up the stripping process tremendously. As an added precaution, you apply tape to capped live electric wires. You can use your utility knife, or scissors if the utility knife doesn't make it through. (2023 Update). Read on to learn how this important service can teach real skills. So you can strip it with the same soldering iron's tinned tip pretty easily in a couple of seconds (up to 10 sec in fact). Require a scrap metal pick up service or fill in the form on the contact page. How to remove wire insulation without cutting wire Home House & Components Systems Electrical System Wiring, By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. If you know the gauge of your wire, be sure to match it to the notch with the same number on the pair of strippers so you don't damage the metal. Common ways of removing the insulation on enameled wire include: I'm surprised no one has mentioned magnet wire strippers. Make a practice cut and adjust the blades if necessary (Photo 1). The simplest way to secure electric wires is with electrical tape. But once you master the technique, youll be surprised how quickly and accurately you can remove cord sheathing. What You Should Know, How to Run Electrical Wires through Finished Walls. Inspect the insulation on the wires underneath to make sure the blade didnt nick them. Yet there is an easier way to remove insulation by hand than doing all the hard work with a utility knife alone.Try a slider-style wire stripping tool that keeps the blades safely inside a bar or ball-shaped cutter. When you're only dealing with a small amount of insulated wire at a time, it's hard to justify investing in equipment just for the occasional processing. If unsure of what to do, you should start small with few pounds of copper scraps with handheld tools or razors and with an increase in demand, you can switch to more sophisticated tools like stripping machines and electric strippers. Removing styrofoam insulation from inside freezer walls - Scrap Metal Forum If youre stripping wire for scrap, it's more efficient to just slice down the length of the wire with a utility blade instead of pulling off a little bit at a time with wire stripping pliers. To learn how to strip wire for scrap, read on! How to remove wire insulation without cutting wire? Take advantage of the Texas heat by first warming the . Does a knockout punch always carry the risk of killing the receiver? . Heres an inexpensive tool that makes short work of removing the outer sheath from these small cables without nicking the conductors inside. The key to removing wire insulation: The right tool If you're always cutting or nicking your wire, check your wire stripper. Apply very light pressure with the knife and keep your finger on the opposite side of the cable. Lets say you start with 100 lbs of insulated copper wire and break it down in to different gauges since copper recovery is very different. Wire Insulation: A Complete Guide to Types and Their Benefits Wire strippers look like pliers with a number of notches set in the jaws. I used lit matchstick to remove enamel from a magnet wire. Repeat the process until you've stripped the desired length of coating off of the wire. You will likely find a recycling bin designated for glass in many public areas. How to re-solder fine broken flex cable connection to pcb, How to solder large gauge wire to terminal, Super Beginner Question on Soldering to a 5v to 12v USB step Converter. Make sure the iron is hot enough, melt a bead of solder on the end of the iron and put the end of the wire in it. If you are only doing this for a few wires (assuming USB or PS/2, that's only four to 6), just scrape it off with a knife, or use some sand paper (or even an emery nail board). Recharge 2032 Battery; Can It Be Done By Any Means? Stripping Wire - DIY Repair Fix Disposal Guide for Home, Garden, Car Thanks for contributing an answer to Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange! But it is less smell and soldering is much more comfortable. ", https://www.familyhandyman.com/electrical/wiring/stripping-wire/view-all/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZFTKbT4XFs&feature=youtu.be&t=16, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-strip-wire/#.WZM84lGGPb0, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZFTKbT4XFs&feature=youtu.be&t=36, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZFTKbT4XFs&feature=youtu.be&t=42, https://iscrapapp.com/blog/how-to-strip-copper-wire-for-scrap/, http://shedheads.net/wire-stripping-machines-budget/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd5Q-XDmvys&feature=youtu.be&t=29, http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Strip-Magnet-Wire-/10000000205805408/g.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd5Q-XDmvys&feature=youtu.be&t=45, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd5Q-XDmvys&feature=youtu.be&t=50. Imagine a scenario where a water line breaks due to interference from an electrical line,, Read More Avoiding Interference and Hazard: The Minimum Distance for Electrical and Water Lines UndergroundContinue, If youre struggling to place components in Altium, youre not alone. The acid can be rinsed off the copper. M&M Lakewood Yard In this guide, well cover the step-by-step process for soldering LED strips. Copper and the Scrap Metal Industry Then you strip the individual conductors. But the wire is very thin! 576), What developers with ADHD want you to know, We are graduating the updated button styling for vote arrows, Statement from SO: Moderator Action today. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The insulated wire is first sent through a chopping line at the recycling facility, which separates the copper from the insulation. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Wire stripping tools are easy to use, and come in a variety of designs that fit wires of any size and type. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. This can weaken the wire and compromise its ability to conduct electricity. copper, aluminum). Thank you. Grab a Slider When you're only dealing with a small amount of insulated wire at a time, it's hard to justify investing in equipment just for the occasional processing. However, removing the plastic and rubber insulation on the outside of the wire raises its value significantly. Stripping plastic-sheathed (NM, for nonmetallic) type cable is a two-step process. Copper wire stripping process could be very time consuming all depending on the type of equipment you are using. There is no obvious reaction between the copper and the acid at room temperature over this time scale (ie no discoloration to suggest copper sulfate production and no bubbles to suggest sulfur dioxide). {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Strip-Wire-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Strip-Wire-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Strip-Wire-Step-1.jpg\/aid9196805-v4-728px-Strip-Wire-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"