How Much Copper Inside A Ceiling Fan? - Is it worth taking apart for scrap?

Рет қаралды 7,397

11 ай бұрын

📈 Check Scrap Prices: iScrapApp.com/ - Unlock the potential value hidden in everyday items with our latest video: "How Much Copper is Inside a Ceiling Fan?" We dive into the process of dismantling a ceiling fan for scrap, specifically focusing on extracting valuable copper.
Typically, a residential ceiling fan weighs between 15 to 50 pounds, including the motor, blades, light fixture, and other integral components. The amount of copper you can extract from a ceiling fan motor varies based on its size and the fan model, with an average yield of 0.5 to 1.5 pounds of copper from a standard residential ceiling fan motor.
Yes, it's worth it to dismantle a ceiling fan for scrap, especially if you have the necessary tools, time, and knowledge. The copper extracted from the motor can be valuable, particularly if you can collect from several fans. Other fan parts, like the steel or aluminum blades, the light fixture, and the mounting hardware, can also be recycled.
Our video provides a step-by-step guide on disassembling a ceiling fan, from removing the fan blades to extracting the motor, and finally, removing the copper. We also help you understand the importance of safety and the need to know the current market value of copper.
Additionally, we discuss other scrap-eligible materials found in a ceiling fan, including #1 steel and light iron, and whether to break down a fan or scrap it as a whole.
👉 Read more: iscrapapp.com/blog/scrapping-...
🚫 MEMBER-ONLY Videos: • Members-only videos
🎉 Join HERE 👉 / @iscrapapp
🆓 Free Catalytic Converter Shipping 👇
rrcats.com/welcome-iscrap-app/
📲 Download Our FREE App for 200+ Scrap Prices
🍎 For iPhone: iscrapapp.com/iOS
🤖 For Android: iscrapapp.com/Android
⭐️ We Rated the Top Wire Strippers: iscrapapp.com/?p=1220874
🪛 Best Tools for Scrapping: iscrapapp.com/?p=1211029
👷🏻‍♂️ Tom's Picks for Best Tools: iscrapapp.com/?p=1200735
👏 Our Team's Favorite Tools: iscrapapp.com/?p=1223058

Пікірлер: 60

@eramsted 11 ай бұрын

I always strip fan motors when I find them. I use a small bolt cutter and snip all the windings on one side, then put it in a vice and pull the windings out with a pry bar. For me, it makes sense to break things down as far as possible..

@joshuamorris9050 11 ай бұрын

Yea I use a grinder nd buzz them

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

Good strategy

@michaelmcguiggan9394 11 ай бұрын

@@joshuamorris9050 Same Angel Grinder one side and the get a screwdriver under the other side.

@davidsmith8283 11 ай бұрын

I've been using a Dewalt variable speed jigsaw with a short metal cutting blade. Mount the motor shaft in a vise. Flip the jig saw upside down so the blade is cutting across on top of the winding (angle it so the end of the blade does not strike against the motor shaft), and just zip through. Go around to all the outside windings and then flip the assembly over, lock it in the vise again, and pry up with a screwdriver or a pry bar.

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

Good tips!

@gdsstudio974 Ай бұрын

I retrieved 2 lbs from three fans. I use sheet metal snips to cut the copper loop and pull it through from the other side . They are fairly easy. It helps if you put it a vise.

@iScrapApp Ай бұрын

very good tip!

@aredditor4272 11 ай бұрын

The tool to cut that wire is a cable cutter. There are many different types of tools called cable cutters, you want one made for large diameter cable. Some bolt cutters, high leverage end cut bolt cutters, and large nail nippers will do. A sharp wood chisel is fine as long as you don't hit steel. All of those tools are shearing instead of sawing and removing some of the copper. Look up some specialty tools marketed towards electric motor rebuilders. There are jigs designed to remove windings from motors so they can be rewound.

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tips

@aredditor4272 11 ай бұрын

Hey, one of the busier vloggers that posts PGM containing ewaste refining videos, recently posted a video showing the most valuable computer chips, and the gold content in grams per chip. I forget the name of the channel, but it looks like he's based in South Asia.

@KillerKolt44 11 ай бұрын

I always sell motors. I don't take them apart I have found that often the wieght is in the steel.

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

Fair enough

@michaelwillcutt2619 11 ай бұрын

Actually the copper is worth as much as the metal in a celling fan

@KillerKolt44 11 ай бұрын

@@michaelwillcutt2619 yeah but my labor is valuable

@number8killer383 11 ай бұрын

@@KillerKolt44 I agree with you. I don’t take those apart- I just turn them in as motors.

@CanadianTreasureHunter 11 ай бұрын

You get about .6 to 1LB only not Pound & Half, We get 45 to 50 Cents a pound not worth scrapping sell as motor

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

Are you referring to selling as a unit? Or priced once stripped?

@tghepburn1390 11 ай бұрын

@@iScrapApp I think @CanadianTreasureHunter is giving the price for Small/medium motors. One Calgary yard, there was a price jump for motors (and transformers) from 25 to 45 cents per lbs. At 45 cents it is not worth it - for me - to strip out the copper. Also, copper yield is not that great from fan motors but easy / simple to do. Thanks for the video!

@joecoelho7030 11 ай бұрын

I do the thin cut off wheel and go around the whole motor copper parts make a thin cut . Flip it over and use my snips and just pry the copper out! I have yet to run by an aluminum one and have done hundreds of them. I think because they are always older fans I find in AZ. Scrap on!

@joshuamorris9050 11 ай бұрын

That’s the best way does t hurt the hands or throw copper

@joecoelho7030 11 ай бұрын

@@joshuamorris9050 doesn't really hurt your hands you get into a rhythm breaking them down. Make sure you wear some gloves and safety glasses it does throw sparks! No copper is thrown I cuts it so fast and the copper is locked in until you free it from the other side. I try and do 10-20 at a time just more efficient with your time! Scrap on!

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

Scrap on dude 🙌

@sportsfan1435 6 ай бұрын

Just opened 3 ceiling fan motors, and was disappointed to see all 3 had aluminum windings. Now I'm wondering if it even pays to take those apart anymore.

@joecoelho7030 6 ай бұрын

@@sportsfan1435anything is possible these days! Like I said before maybe I see more copper ones because they are older ones where I live. I literally just found about 10 fans during bulk trash but have not opened them up yet! I guess time will tell if they are copper or not. I am starting to see more aluminum motors in everything these days unfortunately. Used to be all pool motors were copper not anymore! Still pisses me off when u break one down and its aluminum! I try and scratch the windings with a screwdriver before I open the motor to see if its copper but sometimes you can't get to the inside until you break the motor down. I did a motor the other day and half was aluminum and half was copper that really sucked. Just like in the newer transformers! Now my scrap yard pays me for that . Never used to he that way they were always copper! Manufacturers trying to make things cheaper and cheaper these days! No wonder nothing last anymore! Best of luck!

@izzydo3494 11 ай бұрын

I have yet to find a ceiling fan motor that is made out of aluminum. I've taken apart close to 20 different fans and cut out the copper with snips. Ive gotten down taking these motors apart down to a science now and even made tools to help press out the bearings and the shaft with just my bench vises. Half the time people are willing to just give you the fans and are more profitable for copper compared to microwaves or TVs now at least for my area in Missouri

@joshuamorris9050 11 ай бұрын

Older microwaves or range microwave combos tend to have copper transformers or at least half nd half

@izzydo3494 11 ай бұрын

@joshuamorris9050 Yeah, that's true, I tore apart a Panasonic 1984 microwave, and both coils were copper from Japan. I just don't find enough older microwaves where I'm at.

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

Wow. How do you get so many fans?

@dalemeyer8207 11 ай бұрын

Thanks

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

💚♻

@CakeZRqGoTR 11 ай бұрын

What do you guys at Rockaway pay for those shellac copper windings? I see #2 bus bar, but nothing about lower grades of stripped copper wire. Is it the same as pipe? Last time I went, I got a Burnt Copper classification for badly tarnished bare. Just curious.

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

we pay slightly cheaper than a number two for it

@CakeZRqGoTR 11 ай бұрын

@@iScrapApp Thanks. What do you guys qualify as number two wire? Tarnished?

@onlyspicekitty 11 ай бұрын

thank you for this video, i did not know ceiling fan Wire was different from Bear bright, so Bear Bright needs to be Separate than Ceiling fan or other small motor Wire ?

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

Glad it helped. Typically yes you need to separate

@brian56 11 ай бұрын

I fill 5 gallon buckets with the windings packing them as I go. They usually weigh 75 pounds or so each.

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

Nice!

@ScorpionMetals 11 ай бұрын

If time is something you look at then no. It definitely isn't worth taking the copper out!

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

You do you!

@shaneahmed2122 11 ай бұрын

Appreciating your work. Love from India 💕 One Day I will Establish my own Empire across the whole World will meet you.

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

🙌

@6980869 11 ай бұрын

I like taking wheel bearings off of these motor windings. That’s all i gotta say on that.

@aussietoker9465 10 ай бұрын

Great video thanks

@topherbadamsn4279 11 ай бұрын

A sharp ax and a small sledge. Five or six precision hits will cut your windings in half.

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

Aggressive way to go.

@michaelwillcutt2619 11 ай бұрын

Ten minutes or less for the blower motor less than five minutes for ceiling fan motor

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

That fast? You're speedy

@endfedinctaxonindividuals7486 6 ай бұрын

@@iScrapApp obv the more you do these. More efficient one becomes!! Once you get to this stage. Then it can be worth it!

@jim.zuzukiz3583 11 ай бұрын

Scrap you later ✋🇺🇸

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

Back at ya 😎👍👍

@frederickhill2073 11 ай бұрын

Some places don't want them taken apart.

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

Gotta find a new place 😎👉👉

@michaelwillcutt2619 11 ай бұрын

You need to sharpen or buy new cutters

@joshuamorris9050 11 ай бұрын

Should be using a cut off wheel

@michaelwillcutt2619 11 ай бұрын

@@joshuamorris9050 sharpened cutters are best grinder makes copper dust which causes sickness anywhere from sinus to lungs

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

We'll bug Tom about it 😅

@demolitionsexpert 11 ай бұрын

the goal of the video is to discourage you from taking them apart and selling them as a whole motor, hence why he didnt give the motor price

@iScrapApp 11 ай бұрын

Why would we discourage it, then actively show you how to do it? It's always worth to disassemble if you can, to get the best price