Scrapping a Generator for an Awesome Amount of Copper + Fan Mail

Scrapping a Generator for an Awesome Amount of Copper + Fan Mail

Introduction

Ah, what a beautiful morning! I hope you're all doing well. Today, we're going to scrap this generator. The first thing on our list is to remove this box, which is secured by several screws. If you encounter rusty screws that won't budge, just cut the heads off.

Step-by-Step Guide

Removing Rusty Screws

First up, removing this box with the screws around it. If you have rusty screws that refuse to come out, just cut the heads off.

Soaking Screws with PB Blaster

These screws have been soaking in PB Blaster for about a week. I'll break them free with my wrench and then zip them out.

Tapered Shaft and Bolts

Now, we need to remove these bolts that are holding the packs in place. This bolt threads into a tapered shaft and locks the assembly.

Some of these screws are very difficult to remove due to Loctite and metal dimpling. In fact, that's so challenging that it can break screwdrivers.

Despite the difficulty, cutting a bit into the screw heads can provide enough grip to get them out.

Scrapping for Aluminum

After finally getting the screws out, we retrieve a nice chunk of cast aluminum. This requires a fair bit of effort, but it's worth it for the aluminum.

After considerable effort, you may even need to use a cold chisel to remove parts like aluminum chunks.

Removing Armature

Now, let's remove the armatures. They can be scrapped as electric motors, but I prefer to extract the copper.

Tools and New Acquisitions

I recently acquired a table saw, radial arm saw, and a 1976 Lincoln welder. This welder will make for an exciting scrapping project in an upcoming video.

Current Scrapping Status

Here's an update on the scrapping progress so far, including various metals and their weights and values.

If you're new to scrapping, these armatures will usually go as electric motors. Always check with your scrapyard for specific pricing.

Material Breakdown and Valuation

• Prepared Steel: 33 lbs, 6 oz = $ 3.35
• Shred Steel: 13 lbs, 13 oz = $ 1.04
• Cast Iron: 37 lbs = $ 3.18
• Aluminum: 7 lbs = $ 2.94
• Insulated Wire: 10 cents
• Brass: 5.15 oz = 66 cents
• Dirty Brass: 1.15 oz = 7 cents
• Dirty Aluminum: 12 oz = 11 cents
• Copper: 9 lbs, 2 oz = $ 31.88

Total scrap value: $ 43.30

Fan Mail and Unboxing

I received a thoughtful gift from Best Rat Recycling, a fantastic bit kit compatible with my electric screwdriver. It even includes a grounding strap to prevent static electricity.

Check out Best Rat Recycling's channel; he recently hit 50,000 subscribers but still needs watch hours. His link is in the description.

Closing Remarks

Thank you all so much for watching and supporting my channel. If you have any prayer requests, leave them in the comments or email me. Until next time, God bless!

Keywords

• Rusty Screws
• PB Blaster
• Tapered Shaft
• Cast Aluminum
• Armature
• Scrap Yard
• Electric Motors
• Scrap Value
• Best Rat Recycling
• Fan Mail

FAQ

Q: How do you deal with rusty screws that won't come out?

A: If the screws are too rusty to remove, cutting the heads off is a reliable solution.

Q: What should I do if bolts are incredibly difficult to remove?

A: Soaking them in PB Blaster and using a wrench can help. If they're still stubborn, use a cutter to grip the screw heads.

Q: How do you scrap a tapered shaft?

A: The bolt threads into the tapered shaft to lock it in place. Removing it requires a bit of effort and sometimes a retaining clip.

Q: What can I do with the armature from a generator?

A: Armatures can be scrapped as electric motors, but it's often worth extracting the copper if you can.

Q: How should I handle materials like aluminum and copper for maximum value?

A: Check with your scrapyard for specific pricing. Separate clean and dirty metals to maximize value.

Q: What kind of fan mail did you receive?

A: I received an excellent bit kit from Best Rat Recycling, along with a grounding strap to prevent static electricity.

Q: How much scrap value did you get from the generator?

A: The total scrap value came up to $ 43.30.

Thank you all for being a wonderful audience. God bless!