How can I strip copper from old appliances?

Question

I have heard that appliances contain copper wiring. How can I safely remove copper and sell it?

Answer 1

Unless you have nothing at all else to do with your time and you have lots of room and plenty of tools, this will be much more trouble than the amount of money you'll get from the stripped copper.  Most all appliances contain some wiring, however, it's the great majority of it is quite small and would require a fair amount of time to remove.  It's not like you can grab one end and pull it all out at once.    That's why the theives go after the large amounts of wire that it takes to manufacture such things as irrigation systems and such.   You'd be better off looking for a decent job.

Answer 2

Copper and brass is being reported  stolen as common practice now, so be careful where your source is coming from. The rest is just simple common labor to strip the good parts out. The cleaner the metal, the more you will receive.

Answer 3

If you are selective with the old appliances that you choose then it is not to much of a problem.  Typically many electric hot water cylinders are lined with copper, transformers (bulk is copper wire).

However, most people in the business know the scrap value of these items and so you will not really be making any profit.

Beware, buying these items at a very low price as they may be stolen.