How do I

[kittywitty]

I recently found a motor to a vacuum cleaner. What is the easiest way to extract the copper from the motor? My toolkit is limited -- hammer, screw drivers, wire snippers, pliers.

Last night I started snipping the coiled copper wires individually and then extracting them a strand at a time with the pliers. I spent 2+ hours last night and got less than a pound of copper. Of course, it was 2+ hours in front of the TV.

Are there any tools you'd recommend I buy if I try to do this on a regular basis? My ability level with tools is pretty low, but I'd be willing to try it if the tools aren't really expensive.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

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[davest]

you pretty much got it with what you're using. Maybe down the road get a dremel and some cutoff wheels, then you cut one end completely off and just pull the other side. Saves a bit of nippin.

 

[aa battery]

They pay so much a pound for the motor the way it is. Its not much but i don't have your patience i turn it in whole.

 

[pizzaman55792]

I use an old wood chisel to cut the wires then yank a bunch out at a time with pliers.

 

[rferris75]

I have a cutting torch Ill sell.

 

[kittywitty]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I don't think I'm dextrous enough to use a cutting torch, but thanks for the offer.

I finished getting the copper out last night. Snipped each piece and then pulled out one by one with a pair of pliers. Once I'd finished it was very satisfying.

 

[aa battery]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I don't think I'm dextrous enough to use a cutting torch, but thanks for the offer.

I finished getting the copper out last night. Snipped each piece and then pulled out one by one with a pair of pliers. Once I'd finished it was very satisfying.

Good job.....aa

 

[bluecat]

I have a neighbor that scraps and he uses a chop saw to cut the copper off on one end and then they pry it and pull it out the other end. If you make a good clean cut against the stator it usually pulls fairly easy. I like my fingers and hands too much for that method though. If the wire is tight and has a lot of resin on it I use a sawsall. If the wire is looser and not much resin a hammer and chisel. After cutting one end if you burn the stators until they quit smoking and making different colored flames the copper will come out with a slight tug.