Electric Motors

[Hades12]

Who here is doing motors? where have you found the best source to get them and what averages are you getting out of them. Is there any other PM in the motor or just copper?

[Hades12]

Also Hi, I am new here.

[davycoppitt]

I don't believe that there are any PMs in motors, just copper. I am throwing all mine into a gaylord container right now debating if I should rip them apart or take them in as is. I probably will just take them in as is. I find all mine in the garbage. Oh and welcome.

[Hades12]

Last two I did the ends looked like Alu but I am not sure.

[messymessy]

Yes, there could be aluminum in the housing of motors. I just replaced one that had a large wiring compartment that was all aluminum (about two pounds), but this is unusual. The housings are almost always iron.

As far as ripping them apart, you need to consider that motor windings usually sell for less than #1 copper.

[Hades12]

My yard pays at better then #2 for windings and varnished and #2 is about 15cent less then #1 so some of them are well worth it. I even have a guy that cuts open compressors.

[hobo finds]

In AZ we can't turn in the windings they won't take them. Motors go for an average of .19 a lb.

[wayne1956]

My yard pays at better then #2 for windings and varnished and #2 is about 15cent less then #1 so some of them are well worth it. I even have a guy that cuts open compressors.

I cut them open myself, especially the ones from refrigerators. These have the windings that are easy to cut and remove. I have found the compressors from AC units have a heavy coating of varnish and are more of a pain to remove.

[pennyante]

Is there a trick to getting the copper wire out of the motors? I've broken them down to the point the wire is well exposed but it is in small tightly grouped bundles that wind around closely to themselves prior to going further inside the metal housing. Am I supposed to just cut the bundles off at the point they enter the metal housing? That would only yield a bunch of 3 inch pieces of wire. Is there a way to get the wire out in longer lengths? Once I cut the wire off do I sell the rest of the motor as a motor or as general metal scrap?