#Scrap wire stripper how to#

Many wires or cables that have multiple strands of copper that are thin (think data wire) should not be stripped.Rule of thumb – actually, the pinky: Cables and wires thicker than your pinky are generally good ones to strip.We hope to help you make informed decisions when you strip through the process to ensure ease of use and safety.īefore we start… Do’s & Don’t’s of Stripping Copper Wire In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most efficient and straightforward ways to strip different types of copper wire. If you want to make some extra cash from scrap and clean up the materials you’ve found, mastering the art of wire stripping can be rewarding. Make sure to wear them! We have heard too many stories of people cutting themselves.Stripping copper wire might seem straightforward, but there’s an art to it that can significantly impact your efficiency and the quality of the results. When using a razor blade for stripping copper wire, be sure to cut away from you and use gloves for safety. While it can be a more tedious job to strip the wire by hand, it can save you money if you aren’t looking to spend a lot on a stripper or don’t collect a bulk amount of material. Razor or Handheld Tool: When dealing with a few loads of wire a month and not pulling in a large quantity, it may be worth using a razor or handheld wire stripper for your copper. Scrapping Less Than 100 Pounds Per Month? Remember, we suggest stripping wire that is thicker than your pinky finger or sometimes the size of a pen. Once you have a good idea of how much material you will be bringing in, it is easier to figure out the best solution for stripping your copper wire. We suggest figuring out what kind of intake of materials you are bringing in for scrap copper wire. Which Method Should I Use To Strip Copper Wire? It is a good idea to have separate containers to collect the insulation waste while stripping your wire to cut down on loose garbage. Knowing ahead is a good idea so you can work efficiently.

#Scrap wire stripper how to#

If you bought a stripper, read the directions on how to strip different types and sizes of wires before using it. Once you purchase an automatic tabletop stripper, be sure to get familiar with the machine before using it. Using A Machine: If you are dealing with a lot of scrap wire, you might need a wire stripper.During the hot summer, some days will be so hot that it could leave a plastic residue on your copper.

You can warm your wire in the oven (on low) or in a black box in the sunshine to warm the insulation to make it softer and more accessible to remove with a handheld stripper or razor blade. When hand-stripping your wires, you can use the sun or heat to your advantage and make the process go faster.

Use The Sun: While you shouldn’t be burning the wires you want to get copper from, you can use some other heat to help you.

But the residue left over from burning will downgrade it at most scrap yards. Often, people think it is a quick and easy way to remove the insulation is to burn it. Not only does it harm the environment from the fumes, but it will downgrade your copper at the scrap yard.

NO BURNING: First and foremost, we would like to reiterate that you should NEVER “burn” your copper wire to remove the insulation under any circumstances.

Find the BEST Wire Stripper Out There → Different Scrap Wire Stripping Solutions: We will start with the basic methods of stripping wire and provide more efficient solutions for stripping your copper wire. But if you want to save money, we have simple solutions for stripping scrap wire. If you are going to be able to make enough money with the volume of wire you strip, then it could be worth the expense. Like a business plan, you have to figure out how much weight you will be pulling in on a regular basis and if an investment like that will be worth it for you. If you have never stripped copper wire before, we’re not going to suggest going out and buying an expensive wire stripper ($300-500) right away. Don’t Buy An Expensive Wire Stripper Just Yet!

Below, we have compiled some tips and resources on stripping your copper wire for scrap. Some essential 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. We have found that many scrappers want to know the best ways to make more money from their copper and wire.