How Much Do You Make Stripping Copper Wire In A Day?

Answering one of my most persistent scrap metal recycling questions; how much do you really make stripping wire for a whole day? With a variety of wire and our trusty stripmeister, we get to the bottom of this! Will we get rich with all that scrap copper? the results may surprise you!

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Music:
bsmith - Industrial Scrap
Streambeats - Harris Heller

[sixtyfiveford]

Problem is people not being able to turn off the scraping mindset. I've watched countless guys scrap $200-1000 used and or vintage equipment(no work needed) for $30-50 in scrap with hours of labor. All because there might be copper inside....

[solocork]

So I watched your channel, got hooked, bought a wire stripper and started in on my Dad's store of various wire to be stripped. He died before he got it done. Yesterday I was given $415.27 at a local scrap yard. This isn't about money for me, just something that I needed to do for my Dad. But I was amazed at what it is worth. Now I find myself doing just what my Dad did, hawk eyeing dumsters and construction site waste piles. It will become an enjoyable past time, I know. Thanks for all your work and good advice.

[gazs]

I'm a plumber working for a building company. I'm a diligent scrap collector and no one else on the firm can be bothered. I obviously get a fair amount of copper pipe, but I also get a LOT of cable. I've never spent a whole day stripping it, but I do put in an hour or 2 when I can. I don't actually see it as "work" I'm at home listening to radio and chilling in my shed with a stripper 😂

I have to say though I never strip the Flex cable (stranded stuff) it's a pain in the arse... Even though in the UK we get the same price for both, It's just under "bright copper cable". Also it's £6.20 a kilo here right now and Im gonna turn in my stash soon for Xmas presents for the kids 😉

[rayham]

I love watching you because you talk calm and normal. So many people scream and try to make an event out videos. You are awesome

[drcybr]

I'm not a recycling person, but I often repair electronics. If something is too old or broken, I take usable stuff out. I also have a box where I collect raw copper stuff like solid copper heat sinks. It's not much but if I would throw it away, I wouldn't get anything for it and so I might get something when I find someone to sell it to.

[vovve]

Small tip: If it is hard to get hold of the insulation after the cut, have a hammer ready, smack the end of the wire and it is quite easy

[scottfreedoms]

I think the speed of the drill you use makes a huge difference. I bought a Stripmeister last month after watching your video on them. The first drill I used was a cheap menards tool shop brand one. took a awhile to get through stuff. Switched over to a stupid fast hammer drill and can race through the wires now.
You are absolutely right about needing to have your wires sorted to similar sizes to save time.

Enjoy your videos. Stay safe.

[karolgolacik]

Stripping copper in developed country: U get nohing, you loose
Stripping copper in underdeveloped country: Wealth and prosperity be upon you

[andrewcannon]

not just labor time, wear and tear cost on the drill, and stripper blade does cost something. Love thub economic analysis.

[thesweetone]

I did 4 hours of stripping of 250mcm copper from a job I did way up north, all cut offs. And it got me $400 like 8 years ago... Really depends on the overall amount, type and gauge

[cw]

Just a FYI the old cloth/fabric insulation has a very good chance of being made with asbestos, so do take the precaution of using a respirator.

[strakill]

I'm coming back to this video a year later. I just ordered a Vevor 60w 7 hole electric stripper. I had the multi purpose ran by a drill like you had in this video and I got rid of that thing quickly. Most of my stuff is 14 - 12 gauge Romex. The wire always slipped off the multi purpose stripper for me so I junked it. This motorized one from Vevor apparently eliminates that issue so we will see when it arrives. The other reason I bought it for is the massive amounts of extension cords I get. If I strip the outer insulation off the price goes up $1.00 a pound. So I spent $200 US to see if I can make better profit on the 2 materials. I'll come back and edit this post with the results. Keep it up Thub!

[JOEY]

I recently bought a wire stripper after watching your review on them. What stood out to me was what you said the main problem you had and what many others had was that sometimes the wire would move out of place causing it not to cut.
So I was looking at different types and found one from the brand Coppermine. What they had in there demo video was that it has wire clamps on the side of the blade so it stays in place.
I got the 302 model for $199.99 U.S because it has a separate blade that will strip big guage and romax. I'm quite happy with it.
It also has the option to hand crank or drill attachment.
Just wanted to say thank you for all your reviews and sharing your experience. I don't think I would know what I know if not for your videos. :)

[blangstaff]

Love the channel Thub. From my experience it isn't worth it for me to strip anything smaller than 14 gauge, I figured it out the same way you did. I usually won't even bother taking the time to strip the outer casing off of 14 gauge romex, my scrap yard doesn't differentiate between 12/14 gauge romex for prices. I also have the motorized version of your stripper, I sprung for it because I'm an electrician and I come across a lot of wire. I think it is a lot easier to crank out higher volumes when you can go hands free on the automation and not have to worry about pulling the trigger. I've also found that if you split the task of running your pile through the machine and then pulling the insulation off it helps to speed up production. I also don't do it all at once, more often than not I'll do one bucket in the garage for a little bit after the kids go to sleep. I just fill up buckets with bare bright until I get tired of it sitting around and then go cash in. 🤑

[patricepaiement]

The second hole from the top is made for stripping loomex, you can use it and adjust the blade to skin both the white insulation and one of the wire in one go. To untwist you can just tie the end to something solid and use your drill to untwist

[prolandscapesbychrismoore]

Great explanation. The best part.... knowing the difference in taking the time and effort to strip the wire over just taking it in, as is. $64 in an 8 hour day. Worth it to some, not worth it to others.

[eugenes]

Keep in mind that that's only that hourly rate if you have unlimited free copper rolling in. It takes exponentially more hours to extract the copper than to strip it.

[OpenYourEyesCorruption]

I started watching your videos, now I’m hooked. I’ve been binge watching your videos when I get home at night and I enjoy them so much that after learning you make more money on YouTube when people watch the entire ad, I now watch every ad to the end

[solidmoon]

Soaking the wire in boiling water for a few minutes really speeds up the job as the plastic gets really soft, making stripping a lot easier to slice.

[Berndaddie]

Just started watching your videos and I have to say that the CBC needs to hire you. You have a gift for communicating an idea. Awesomeness times infinity. Thanks.