Copper Wire Question

[insulator245]

Hi Everyone, I had a quick question about copper wire. I was walking along an abandoned railroad bed and I came across several large piles of copper wire which were used on an old abandoned telephone line next to the tracks. There were probably about five piles of ten pounds each in the woods. Should I bother bringing it home and scrapping it? How do I tell if it is solid copper or just copper coated steel? Thanks!

[garbageman]

I would definately take it to scrap. Just take a file to it to see if it is plated or solid copper. Great find! -Garbageman

[snake35]

Grab it!

[wayne1956]

Take a magnet to see if it is copper coated steel. If you do not have one, you can flex the strands. If they are very stiff, then they are most likely copper coated steel. If they bend fairly easily, then they are probably copper.

[hobo finds]

Yes put a magnet to it. #2 ins wire by me is $1.10 @ lb If it is steel it would be .09 a lb....

[truckinbutch]

Make certain the RR doesn't still own the land . They get extremely CS over folks removing anything from their property .

[WAres]

More than likely you will be committing a felony. I would not touch it . If someone brings me trolley wire, hard drawn, or telegraph wire without paperwork I call the police. I know there is alot of shady scrap yards.