The UGLY Truth About Scrapping Brass Plugs

In this video I scrap 3 pounds of brass plugs using a method called plug soup. In the video I'll show how much weight in brass was recovered and how much money I spent to recover the brass using the plug soup method and the entire profits from recovering brass and copper from plugs.
In the video I also show a different method than plug soup to remove the brass.
Check out this video where I show how to scrap an alternator.
• How to Scrap an Altern...
If you enjoyed this video please like/share/leave a comment. If you would like to learn more about scrapping please consider subscribing to my channel. You can use this link here and it will take you directly to my channel homepage where you can click the subscribe button and check out my other videos. / @scrapitall200
Hi, my name is James and I'm a hobby scrapper who loves taking things apart to separate the various metal to make some extra money!
In my video I hope to show you how to scrap things, I also hope to show you the fun in scrapping different items that we all can find easily.
Come join me on my scrapping adventures where I share how I scrap items for easy money.
Please have a look at my scrapping videos and I hope you'll consider subscribing to my channel.
If you'd like to mail me anything you can email at [e-mail] and I'll give you my mailing address.
Thank you for stopping by and God bless y'all.
Become a member for less than a dollar a month. Your financial support will go to shop supplies, tools and anything else I need to scrap metals and make these videos.
I thank you very much for all of your support!
/ @scrapitall200
#hobby #copper #makingmoney #money #howtomakemoney #junk #metal #plugs #tutorial #brass #howto #scrapmetal #recycle #scrapping #scrapper #scrap

[@SkullerMetals]

Anyone who's that worried about "profit" won't waste their time with it. Scrapping isn't a job for most people - it's a fun hobby, so hourly returns or P&L's matter not. Do what you get enjoyment from and dont worry about the dollar.

[@scrapitall200]

I agree and I do it as a hobby and the fun and joy I get is invaluable. However, people do like to know about the numbers. Thank you for watching.

[@1919bonecollector]

Absolutely, I do make money off of it but I love "The Hunt" for the stuff and like keeping it out of landfills, I'm not a earth 🥜 but there's no reason to put stuff into the ground that can be recycled

[@scrapitall200]

@@1919bonecollector I 100% agree with that!

[@johndemore6402]

Yeah right you want maximum return Scrapping isn't a hobby A decent scrapper makes $100or more a day

[@SkullerMetals]

@@johndemore6402 It's a hobby to me. And you made my point - if someone is looking to make $100/day they're not going to waste their time with plugs.

[@michaelyounger4497]

I live near an old harbor. There is a piece of land that was a shipyard long ago. It is now a recreational area the city would like to redevelop. I go there and pick up a lunch box full of around 10 pounds of clean copper and brass every day the weather is nice. You just grab the green metal..very easy. When it rains new metal gets exposed. I have been harvesting for 15 years. I am subtle about this treasure so nobody else goes there. I also don't leave traces when I have to dig. The best day I had was a 4 inch diameter by 6 foot brass propeller shaft. Getting that out tied onto a bicycle I walked next to actually didn't attract any attention.

[@scrapitall200]

Wow, that’s so cool. Yeah I wouldn’t want anyone else to know about that either. Thank you for sharing that.

[@davehood6600]

Well I have to say that was very helpful for me as I am just getting into scraping and that will make my work a lot easier!! Thank you very much for your video

[@r.joseph8911]

@@davehood6600 “scraping” 😂😂😂 Enjoy it, man!

[@JIMCREES1]

I use a pair of 14" channel locks and grab the brass from above with the handle standing up right. A quick rotation of the upper jaw against the vice and the brass is free. It's not a big difference, but it causes way less twisting of the wrist and uses your arm instead. Having done hundreds of these, I want to protect my old wrists from fatigue.

[@scrapitall200]

That’s actually a really good idea, thank you. It’s definitely important to think about these things. Thank you for watching.

[@robertbauer6723]

Thank you for taking us through the process and your analysis, really well done.

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you so much and thank you for watching.

[@smitchlego]

Will there be more giveaways?

[@scrapitall200]

@@smitchlego absolutely!

[@smitchlego]

@@scrapitall200Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

[@johnnydavenport2015]

Found an old toaster oven at the city dump. It still works. I put the plugs in the metal tray. Heat on timer for 7 minutes . They get really soft. Wear gloves and use channel lock pliers and they slide right out.

[@scrapitall200]

That’s awesome, using something you found to help you scrap! Thank you for watching and leaving your comment, I appreciate it.

[@rodolfocamacho5258]

Thank you so much for all your numbers of being precise with profit. Also thank you for your beautiful prayers brother. Even though I'm a hobby scrapper, all of this information is priceless. God bless my friend

[@scrapitall200]

You are very welcome and thank you for your comment, i love hearing feedback. Thank you and God bless you brother. Thank you for watching.

[@louiseherta7791]

I’m a retired woman that enjoys scrapping so never take labor time into account. It’s just a fun hobby.

[@scrapitall200]

That’s really awesome! Thank you for watching.

[@noneyabeeswax3200]

It’s so fun I love it

[@scrapitall200]

@@noneyabeeswax3200 that’s awesome!

[@TheSbaillie]

Thanks brother for bringing us another great video saving all of us some of our most precious resource (time). The way you scrap on the go is much better in my opinion too. I hope you and everyone have a great week and God bless you all.

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you so very much for your kind comment. God bless your coming week and again, thank you for all of your support.

[@dhightone6755]

We haven't tried this yet, but you could warm these brass electrical plugs for free in the empty oven after you bake something, such as a pizza or cake. You probably want to let the oven cool down from a hot to a warm temperature before putting the plugs into the oven. In case the plug's plastic melts slightly, put the plugs on a piece of aluminum foil. This is a source of free heat that is otherwise just wasted as the oven cools down after baking.

[@scrapitall200]

That’s a fantastic idea, thank you!

[@dyer2cycle]

If you are a single male, yes...if it's your wife's oven, trust me, you won't want to do that...

[@scrapitall200]

@@dyer2cycle that’s great advice, thanks 😂

[@sukru6797]

​@@dyer2cycle use a working toaster oven that you picked up and use for not "good cooking" inside. Bake some cookies, roast a pumpkin in the fall, etc, then 'cook' the plugs.

[@mstables3185]

​@@scrapitall200 I also puts the crunch back into cookies that have been left unwrapped too long.

[@MAButh]

Bin trough such a process as well and got similar results. The only thing I would add, is that plugs might have a silver coating. All my best wishes and prayers to the persons in need.

[@scrapitall200]

As far as I’ve learned it’s nickel coated brass, but I could be wrong. Thank you so much, I appreciate that. Thank you for watching.

[@TechsScience]

I haven't searched for this but not disappointed after watching it

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you so much for watching. I just subscribed to your channel.

[@Atlantismonkey40]

I enjoy removing pug’s myself. I use pliers like the blue ones you used. Also using a bench vice, doing a rolling motion. Much easier on the hands. Removing the ground plug last. Also, I place the plugs outside in the sun with a reflective shield, like an oven. Heats up real fast.

[@scrapitall200]

Thanks for sharing your ideas, I appreciate. Thank you so much for watching.

[@patrickoldham1097]

​@@scrapitall200paqQ

[@Xander081987]

You have expertly demonstrated why I give my plugs to my children. As adults our time is valuable, and .64 cents an hour ain't gonna cut the mustard. But if you're a youngin' and curious about scrapping, and want to learn and spend time with dad and make a couple bucks...... Plugs are a nice place to start.

[@scrapitall200]

That’s a great idea about giving them to your kids to get them started in scrapping. Thank you for watching.

[@gdsstudio974]

I do my plugs as I get them as well as preparing the cords for stripping. I like twisting the copper tails before cutting them off. Thanks for sharing our experience.

[@scrapitall200]

Awesome! You’re welcome and thank you for watching.

[@maxcloutier5285]

Thank you for the sun bath idea, I will try it. I usually wait to have a two littre pot before I make a plug-o-thon. Plugs adds up fast and I surely must do it once a month. But same results for me : profits are counted in cents, not dollars. I do it anyway because when it come to recycling, not only money is taken in account.

[@scrapitall200]

Absolutely, it does all add up. Baking in the sun really does work well. Thank you for watching.

[@donnybeardjr.9118]

Pretty good tutorial. I've scrapped alot in my life and I have a good number of years experience at actual scrapyards as the scale master etc. Some yards buy those as is as unclean yellow brass, copper barring/copper breakage, tin/shred. If you can find 1 that buys them as unclean yellow brass that's the fastest profitable way to go usually around 0.75/lb

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you, I appreciate you sharing your knowledgeable experience. My yard won’t buy them as dirty brass unfortunately, but they gladly pay shred price for them. lol. Thank you for watching

[@GenerationsFound]

My husband's dad used to cut the cords to the TV when he would find the TV playing and no one was watching. Needless to say, my husband is a pro at rewiring plugs. LOL

[@scrapitall200]

Lol that’s too funny. Thank you for sharing that with me. Thank you for watching.

[@noneyabeeswax3200]

😂❤

[@lifestream4191]

Thank you for all the work you did putting out that video. If I have spare time, I will scrap them and accumulate as much as possible.

[@scrapitall200]

You’re welcome and thank you for watching.

[@gussuperman7565]

M8 that was great info to keep in mind , the scrap place i go to plug ins are called breakage as you said $ .07 cts/lb . The question was it worth it ? I do it just for fun or personal challenge . I do scrap metal for a living , so it is fun to do something different every once in a while. Keep up the good work. God bless y'all.

[@scrapitall200]

I never regret whatever I scrap because I do it for the fun and joy I get. I’ve always scrapped plugs one at a time, but I had been curious about how much brass really comes out of plugs and I’m happy I did this video. I’ll continue to scrap them one at a time as I go, but I think I’ll boil the big dryer plugs in water but over a fire, that way it’ll be pure profit. Thank you so much for watching and God bless you!

[@dyer2cycle]

where I'm at, breakage usually hovers around 21 cents/lb.

[@scrapperbrad]

Great video! Yeah, I agree that it's better to pull the brass out as you go.

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you so much!

[@David-sw3on]

I have no idea why I'm watching you pull these prongs out, but I found it oddly satisfying! lol👍😉🇨🇦

[@scrapitall200]

Well I’m glad you enjoyed it lol. 👍

[@thomaslaprade9620]

I boil all plugs and 2 players to take them apart ,,very affecting,, Prayers for Dale, I qlso am aa fighter 7yrs now God is great

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you, I appreciate that. That’s awesome, God bless you and thank you for watching.

[@thadofalltrades]

I've been saving up to do the plug soup just for fun, but this video has convinced me to just use the Florida sun and gradually whittle down my stack as I'm scrapping other stuff and then do it as I go.

[@scrapitall200]

That Florida sun will soften them up real quick. I live in Washington state and the sun method works great. Thank you for watching.

[@sukru6797]

If you saved up more before doing them, you could boil them all at once and cut down on the incremental cost of gas. OR perhaps use a solar oven or a 5 sided black box to heat up a container of water in the sun for a few hours and use no propane. Sounds like either a job for a days when you don't have much time but want to do something, are feeling a bit sick and stir crazy, or want to create a rainybday fun ao do them here and there then turn them in when the container gets full (like saving pennies in a jar).

[@scrapitall200]

I like the idea of solar oven, using the free energy of the sun makes sense. Pennies turn into dollars as my buddy says. Thank you for watching

[@21291dim]

Thank you for taking the time to do this video! Very informative !

[@scrapitall200]

You’re welcome. Thank you so much for watching.

[@user-uh5fv3sg8d]

I appreciate your dissection of plugs video. When i have plugs in summer, I take full advantage of sun power. I lay them on a black surface, let them cook and use a side cutters and pliers to take apart. In winter, when I'm working in my garage, i take advantage of the holes in the prongs and hang them in front of my space heater I use to get the chill out. 5 minutes later and they are nice and soft.

[@scrapitall200]

That is awesome. Love hearing about people being resourceful. Great job and thank you for watching.

[@stevew.7188]

Channel locks and your snips will be much faster than the vise. Just process the same size plugs at a time so you don't have to adjust your channel locks. Also, this is something I do when I'm watching youtube videos, so I'm ok with only adding like $1.00 to my brass bucket. I usually just do them cold which is harder, but after seeing this I'll just set them in the sun for a while.

[@scrapitall200]

The sun really does soften them up quite a bit, not sure how well that will work during the winter though. It was faster holding them in channel locks, however I was finding that I was bending my wrist more that way. I’m so used to doing just one at a time with putting it in the vise lol. Thank you for watching.

[@donaldjefcoat408]

Excellent video. Excellent job for when the kids want some money, lol. I cant be bothered with plugs. If I could find a way to process 3 or 4 pounds a minute it might be worth the effort. I just throw them into dryers or other bin type metal and throw it off in the shred steel pile. But this knowledge of the work that goes into the process is valuable. Helps people decide if the rewards in going the extra step is worth the effort. That said I will strip most of my wire because I can process a few pounds a minute. lets say I do 2 pounds a minute = 120 pounds an hour. I can pay a guy to strip wire all day long.

[@scrapitall200]

I absolutely agree with everything you said! Thank you for watching and leaving a comment, I appreciate it.

[@irenebignall7245]

I strip these plugs down whilst watching the soaps on TV,it's way more fun than knitting

[@scrapitall200]

I’d have to agree with you there lol. Thank you for watching.

[@Kt-vy1mi]

Thank you for making this video. I have a full bin of cut-off plugs of dryer plugs. Im just going to scrap it as it is.

[@scrapitall200]

You’re welcome! Thank you for watching. Just make sure your yard doesn’t buy them as dirty brass, apparently some yard do but most don’t.

[@timjacob3904]

wow i know alot of times i do scraping its not really worth it. u helped prove it. as i do alot od remoldleing ill always have sone metal to scrap. so inwont stop lol . u def got me to subscribe esp after i heard ur prayer. god bless ur friend his family and u

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you so much for subscribing! God bless you and your family!

[@jgils5559]

That was a cool video! I enjoyed how you broke everything down. I decided that it’s just easier for me to scrap the plugs as I get them. I cut the plug off and hold it in my hand and pull out what I can get. Most off the time I get the copper out with the brass. I get what I get and more on quickly.

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you! I agree, it’s just easier to scrap them as I go and if I don’t always get the copper to pull through it’s ok. Thank you for watching.

[@HHRecycling]

I save mine up until winter and then I pour myself a dram, put the plugs in front of the heater, and have a nice little session of plug therapy. I am going to save up my brass with the copper on to see if I get red brass when I melt it down. Good breakdown, buddy. I know it's not worth it, but most of scrapping is doing the little things for nothing, for me, anyway.

[@scrapitall200]

When you put it that way, it seems relaxing. Scrapping doesn’t always have to be about the bottom dollar and I know you know that very well. Will be interesting to see what you get when you melt them down. I’m a big fan of watching melting videos, so I’m excited to see what you do this winter. Thank you as always for watching and leaving a comment buddy.

[@HHRecycling]

@scrapitall200 Yeah, I am pretty sure it will be red brass. I won't be doing this until I get more used to the way melting works, because I am not sure if the melting point of copper will burn the zinc off or not. Baby steps.

[@scrapitall200]

@@HHRecycling I’m still learning all of that as well.

[@scrapitall200]

@@HHRecycling here’s a video from Bigstackd and he melts the copper still on the brass. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6isdauVYruFndEsi=NZhXroSxHBCTXEnE Might help you learn what you need to.

[@omgorangelollipop8184]

oddly satisfying watching those prongs get pulled out

[@scrapitall200]

I agree. Thank you for watching brother.

[@KPaul7]

Know this is an old video. I'm going to keep doing them one at a time too. Thanks for the video. By the way, I'm only turning in the shred until the prices go up. Copper I'm keeping for the long haul. I might even melt it down.

[@scrapitall200]

That’s what I’m doing. Scrap them as I go instead of piling them up. Not a bad idea. I’ve gotta believe the prices will go up. I’ve been saving my brass and copper for about 1.5 years. Thank you for watching buddy, I appreciate it.

[@louisrichards3702]

i put short wires w insulation in the sun too, makes it a lot easier to use my box knife to cut off the insulation..

[@scrapitall200]

Great idea! Thank you for watching.

[@dr.a006]

I try to not let them stack up because I just hold them in pliers or channel locks in one hand and side cutters in the other. Temperature does affect ease of removal for sure. Only doing a few at a time is not fatiguing though.

[@scrapitall200]

I agree, that’s why I like to do them one at a time as I go. Thank you for watching.

[@dr.a006]

@@scrapitall200 Sometimes I get a tub of wire from the IT guy and I might have like 20 or so at once but, ya, process and move on👍

[@scrapitall200]

@@dr.a006 absolutely, makes sense.

[@scrapperbrad]

That's how I pull them out too! It works great!

[@robk1310]

Scrap yards want the copper on the brass blades. They call it red brass.

[@scrapitall200]

In my experience scrap yards will still only pay yellow brass prices for that, but if your yard will give you red brass prices, that’s great. I’d do the math though since copper is worth quite a bit more than brass, would be curious to see the numbers.

[@mattgour5874]

I boil mine for about 25-30 minutes before pulling ..LOVE THE VIDS THX.

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching.

[@daviddumon4020]

I tried to figure out how 1.2 ounces translated into the 35.2 on the scale, and then realized that was the clock saying 3:52. Converting mass to time is quite a challenge in physics.😀

[@scrapitall200]

😂😂 I’ve been fooled by that clock before myself. Thank you for watching.

[@charliehoss1614]

I use a magnifying glass but it has to be sunny out. Point the circle right at the bottom of the brass plug

[@scrapitall200]

Interesting method, but I can see why that would work. Thank you for watching.

[@scrapnjunk81]

Yes Jesus is the great physician and can heal. I started doing the plug right when I process the wire. Great video

[@scrapitall200]

Yes HE is! Thank you brother and have a blessed day!

[@tghepburn1390]

First time viewer here and, wow, can't argue with solid math. The last time I did the same "audit" I came up with $2/hr but the notable differences are propane (with Costco discount) .70Cent/lbs in Alberta, Canada, and speak of Alberta, warming them in the sun is not an option 8 months of the year, they'd be frozen LOL. Liked the video, thanks!

[@scrapitall200]

That’s a much better price for propane than I got. Boiling them over a fire makes the most sense in my opinion, especially during winter when everything is frozen lol Thank you for watching, I appreciate it.

[@TheCaptainLulz]

I gave up on plugs pretty quick. Its cheaper to bring them to the yard for 20 cents than to do the work for the paltry amount you get. Always remember, your time is worth money too, and doing these wont pay even half of minimum wage.

[@scrapitall200]

That’s why I made this video, I wanted others to see what they are actually worth. I’m a hobby scrapper so my time isn’t a concern of mine, but I also like to have fun scrapping and doing this many at once is definitely not fun lol. Thank you for watching.

[@marcrj8111]

Great video! Clear, simple. Amen!

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you so much! God bless you.

[@wyldanimal2]

Sun as a Free Fuel. 2' x 2' wood sheet. cut a 1' x 1' hole in the middle. stretch some plastic wrap over the hole. pour some water on to the plastic wrap to make it deform in to a concave bowl shape. ( this is a Lens ) now you can adjust the height of the Lens to focus the sun on to a pot of water to make it boil.

[@scrapitall200]

Great idea, thanks.

[@ChrissyLarson]

2 things i find crazy. First my scrap yard buys plug ends as brass irony , I'm in Ontario so that's 0.90¢ a pound and second is the Cooper brass together my yard has a actual seperate price for copper brass mix and it's, i believe around 0.40¢ higher than brass price. But at least at the yards in my area i don't get extra for cutting the plugs off. For example a wire from a tv or microwave is #2 wire . With or without a plug.

[@scrapitall200]

Every yards does things differently. You have a great yard.

[@donvoll2580]

Good day from Ontario. Yes we don't want to start another forest fire. Thanks for now

[@scrapitall200]

It’s been unusually dry here. We weren’t even allowed to bbq with charcoal. Fortunately no fires in my area and the rain has finally made its appearance. Stay safe and thank you for watching.

[@bullitt7544]

Hey you know what I am new to the channel. I subscribed. You helped me make the decision to toss the ends I have saved for the past year up and do the 1st in 1st out method to them as well. It is an enormous waste of energy. I will put them in the scrap metal pile at my local landfill and they can make the few bucks. Thanks for the Pricing Breakdown that is the point. Excellent Video. Simple to the point no nonsense. No sure if you do any Gold Recovery as I have such a load I like to see the latest and safest methods of recycling it.

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you so much for subscribing and letting me know you appreciated the video. I haven’t gotten into any gold recovery, I’m still trying to learn about all the acids that are required. I sell some of my ewaste stuff to a company called Boardsort.com. They buy pretty much everything. For example, they buy gold finger ram sticks and they pay $23 a pound for that stuff.

[@nathannorris4326]

I love the prayer at the end. Amazing 👏

[@scrapitall200]

I’m happy you appreciated it, thank you for telling me. God bless you and thank you for watching.

[@albertocastillo8901]

I am really impressed that you even prayed congrats. I like that you have found a new subscriber I don’t. I appreciate that.

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you and thank you for watching, I appreciate it.

[@scrappingonthefly77]

Great breakdown video Brother, im like you, one at a time works better for me. A lot more cost effective and takes much less time ! FULL WATCH as usual 😊 !

[@scrapitall200]

Exactly brother. Thank you so much for your continued support. Means a lot.

[@bikiniboy1]

If you live in hotter climate, (I live in UK) as an addition to this fun hobby, instead of using propane to heat water try making a solar water heater.

[@scrapitall200]

A few have suggested a solar oven, but you’re the first to suggest a solar water heater. Thank you for your idea and thank you for watching.

[@dianec9860]

i took a flat steel plate and cut 2 slots the width of the prongs. Then just place the plug under the plate and pry out the prongs. P.S. clamp plate to bench. I did a 1 gallon bucket of plugs in about 20 minutes

[@scrapitall200]

That’s an interesting method, thank you for sharing that with me. I like it! Thank you for watching.

[@joseprado6792]

One good thing is you are recycling benefit for the humanity God bless you

[@scrapitall200]

God bless you too! Thank you for watching.

[@hisandherscoins]

I do my plugs as I go I only do plug soap with my 240volts ends I just rip them out by hand I just back a small can full of it 15lbs of it and I got clean brass for it

[@scrapitall200]

Those big plug’s definitely have better weight to them. That’s awesome! Thank you for watching.

[@FishermanButch72]

I love scrapping and I need one of those propane pot heaters.

[@scrapitall200]

They are great, especially for cooking crab lol. Thank you for watching.

[@isaacjanzen2346]

i love how people bicker about how much it cost comparing to is it worth or not but in reality on days when you have nothing or aren't busy and collect a lot of it then the bickering stops and smile when they made some money or do nothing and make no money

[@scrapitall200]

Little money is better than no money. Too each their own, right? Lol Thank you for watching.

[@ScrapMan69]

I need start doing then when I get them I have way to many to do lol great video buddy!!

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you buddy. Thank you for watching.

[@frasercrone3838]

If you have 50 plugs and you do 25 as you cut them off over time and you do the others all at once you have spent the same time processing them. Doing them as you go just seems like less work but if you add up the time it took you to do each one it would be within a whisker of doing them all at once. The only difference in this demonstration is the boiling water and that is not necessary if you use long handled nail pinchers that don't require a twisting motion and instead use pure leverage that gives you a mechanical advantage over the twist method with side cutters.

[@scrapitall200]

It’s why I said it doesn’t “feel” like work. The advantage of boiling them or setting them in the sun to soften them up is they pull out with very little effort. Thank you for watching.

[@Rhin082]

I get about 100 lbs of cords a week for free and I just chuck the plugs. Probably should give it a try and see how much I get lol.Thanks for showing how to remove the brass I might try it

[@scrapitall200]

Wow, that’s a lot of cords. Where do you get so many? You might check with the scrap yard, some places might give dirty brass price for the plug ends.

[@Rhin082]

@@scrapitall200 they are trashed by a company my buddy works for and he fills 5 gallon buckets for me. They are mostly 10,12 gauge extension cords that have been damaged but I also get the occasional vacuum cord.

[@scrapitall200]

@@Rhin082 that is really awesome, thanks!

[@Menzu1]

Thank you for doing the math. I wont save my plugs eithers

[@scrapitall200]

You’re welcome! Thank you for watching. Check with your yard, apparently some will buy them as dirty brass.

[@terryeason4319]

My scrapping is not for profit, it is for the material. I'm disabled and retired. I want to get a forge and make little trinkets for family. This is my best way to get the materials I also boil my cord ends, ut makes it very easy.

[@scrapitall200]

I too want to get into melting some metals, I think it would be so much fun. Thank you for watching.

[@redrum2612]

Great video. I've never tried the plug soup. Yeah, those big ones can be really tough. I just hold mine with a tight grip of big pliers in one hand then with a smaller size in the other using a slight twist before pulling. Sometimes, they break off if I'm not careful enough and get in a hurry though usually it's quick and easy and only cost time.

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you! Boiling them does soften them up, but it seems unnecessary in my opinion, except for the really big ones that can be tough. Thank you for stopping by and giving my video a watch.

[@redrum2612]

@scrapitall200 No problem my friend. You are welcome! 🤝

[@rickchant8907]

I've always just cut them off the wire and throw them away

[@scrapitall200]

@@rickchant8907 you can toss them in with your shred steel, at least my yard is ok with that.

[@sonofeloah]

Even in a burn ban area, if you have a BBQ grill, like an old one repurposed to wood or a rocket stove, then you can get away with using wood as it is a "controlled" / "contained" burn. I recommend the rocket stove as it is faster to bring water to a boil and use less wood and produce much less smoke. Also, a repurposed satellite dish (one of the smaller once, not the old school monsters) that has been sanded and chrome painted and a black pot and a glass box and one has a solar oven that will get your pot to a rolling boil in less than an hour. Can, of course, use that solar oven to cook food in or even melt plastics and low temp melt metals like aluminum, lead, or gold.

[@scrapitall200]

We weren’t even allowed to use charcoal grills during the burn ban. That’s over now, fortunately. I like your idea of a rocket stove, those are pretty cool. Thanks for sharing your idea about a solar oven, I think that’s a brilliant idea. Thank you for watching.

[@sonofeloah]

@@scrapitall200: Do you live in california? Because that is their laws concerning burn bans that not even charcoal is allowed. I live in the midwest and the only burn bans we have is at the heaight of the dry season and that is against any open fire. Firepits and other forms of contained fires are allowed. I heat, cook, melt metals, and can using wood fires, in fire pits, crucible furnace, smokers/bbq, wood stove indoor for winter and rocket stove. Keeps me in shape too as I am 70 yrs and still able to hand cut, split, stack wood each year for the whole year.

[@scrapitall200]

@@sonofeloah Washington state. First time in my county we ever had that severe of a burn ban. That’s really awesome you stay active and busy doing all that stuff.

[@DanielHouston-uw3ir]

Good review on this process, like you, i tend to get it as i go!

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you! It’s the way I prefer. Too much work saving them up lol. Thank you for watching.

[@va3ngc]

I never thought of removing the plugs from old cords for brass. I wouldn't do it to sell, but I would do it to melt for my own sand casting.

[@scrapitall200]

They’d be great for that. Thank you for watching.

[@maxwebster7572]

On a gas bottle the empty weight may vary. When they fill them you may get charged for a certain amount and they may add that over and above what is already in a bottle. When picking up acetylene or other gasses they are sometimes marked and you should get the higher weight. I have never used a vise or boiled plugs but sometimes on the big ones I cut the one I can't get with a hack saw.

[@scrapitall200]

I’m sure it wasn’t an exact number of propane I used, but I wanted to show that there isn’t a lot of weight in brass fork plugs and spending money to scrap them cuts into the little profits made. The big ones are definitely tougher to do and I like your hacksaw method. Thank you for watching.

[@maxwebster7572]

@@scrapitall200 Some guys are freezing in nitrogen now.

[@scrapitall200]

@@maxwebster7572 really? That sounds interesting but seems kind of unnecessary.

[@ScorpionMetals]

Great video

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you buddy!

[@Holy_handful_of_bread91]

I will 1000000% put them big boys plugs in the sun, how simple and fast you did it was amazing

[@scrapitall200]

Awesome! Thank you so much for watching.

[@VirtualShelling411]

Thanks for the video, I scrap for profit and value my time, plugs at least for me go into the 6cent pile.

[@scrapitall200]

You’re very welcome! When scrapping for profit, the numbers are so important to know, I’m happy I was able to help. Thank you for watching.

[@DarkVoidIII]

I don't know if it would work for plugs where you live, but in Australia I have seen that some scrapyards will take a plug and push it apart against a wedge, simultaneously splitting the plastic and freeing the brass and copper within. They might also use an electromagnet which would mean the plastic would simply fall away while the metals stayed on the magnet. I think most plugs they just separate with the wedge, as it's not like they get a large quantity of them. They also will strip wire from electrical cords, that is where the real money lies if you're scrapping any kind of electrical appliance. Get all the copper and brass out and strip all the copper out of the insulation and it will net more money, as they would pay by the weight of the total amount of metal they can separate out of an appliance. Type of metal is important, as steel or iron pays a lot less than copper or brass or even aluminum. One can therefore make a decent amount off any copper you don't want to store.

[@scrapitall200]

I would love to get my hands on some plugs from Australia or even Europe. I’m not sure exactly what’s the difference between yours and mine, but I know they are different. Would be fun to compare the two. Thank you for watching and for leaving your comment, I appreciate it.

[@DarkVoidIII]

@@scrapitall200 That's a good question, there's probably some KZbin video that explains the differences. I know most common household Australian wall sockets are 240 volts @10 amps rating. There are higher rated plugs and sockets for industrial machinery, some are triple or quadruple phase. There's also different amperage rating wall sockets, for instance if one needed to plug in a welding unit, it has a 15 amp plug and needs a 15 amp wall socket to plug it into. You should look it up, even Google or Wikipedia has better knowledge than I have.

[@scrapitall200]

That’s a great idea, thank you!

[@daytona1073]

For boiling water... How about a lens to focus sunlight? Bet that would work...

[@scrapitall200]

That’s a great idea, thank you!

[@rcwhore6548]

If there's more than 4 people on the planet that have a pile of plugs like that, I will be amazed.

[@scrapitall200]

This pile was tiny compared to lot of other scrappers. It only took me 2 weeks to get all those plugs.

[@user-hx3nw3vj8m]

Well I gots a couple of them

[@johneckert1365]

I have about ten 5 gallon pails full of them

[@scrapitall200]

@@johneckert1365 wow, that’s a lot saved up.

[@johneckert1365]

@@scrapitall200 Bout 10 years worth lol

[@MrBumlicker]

You could turn that into Jewellery and make alot more if you the right moulds ie rings etc

[@scrapitall200]

Absolutely and that’s what I hope to get into very soon. Just saving up for the proper equipment, thank you!

[@user-tf8mi3nt6j]

Looks like it's better to throw it in with your tin scrap. Maybe save the larger ones with the large prongs until you have quite a few. Crazy idea, but if you want effectively free hot water, drain your spaghetti water through a the strainer but into another pot instead of down the drain then make your plug soup. You already boiled that water for your pasta 😉😂

[@scrapitall200]

I like your thinking of using already boiled water! Thanks for the idea. Thank you for watching.

[@rosokkeliling]

Ternyata dgn cara itu kuningan dan tembaga bisa di ambil biasa nya saya bakar dulu baru bisa ambil Kuningan nya👍👍 trimakasih semoga ini bisa jadi ide konten baru ku makasih 🎉❤❤

[@scrapitall200]

You’re welcome. Thank you for watching I appreciate it.

[@rosokkeliling]

@@scrapitall200 trimakasih👍👍👍👍👍

[@aaronhoyes1781]

I always like to keep a few dozen plugs on hand, for those cold winter nights, when I find myself in the garage, after losing an argument with my wife.

[@scrapitall200]

😂 hopefully that’s not too often lol Thank you for watching.

[@EstonianScrapper]

that was really informative.. for me and for others for sure.. I'm an electrican in Finland.. salarys are quite good and getting my time into those plugs.. personally, i waste more time than i can get in return.. but.. put a man behind that job if he sits in prison and all that person has is a time.. they will also lick all that brass.. different perspective. surely what is important.. how much energy and time you put in for all of that.. this is important to calculate.. if you do it for a video.. no problem with that.. but earning profit.. different outcome

[@scrapitall200]

I completely agree with you! Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment!

[@anthonycolangeli4133]

I hear the sun on a hot day works wonderfully and it is free. To me, it pays just to leave the copper on. Amen! God Bless and Enjoy the Holiday!

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you for watching. God bless you too!

[@anthonycolangeli4133]

@@scrapitall200 I put my plugs out in the hot sun and they became soft. It was so easy to remove that it made it very enjoyable.

[@scrapitall200]

@@anthonycolangeli4133 the sun works really well and like you mentioned, it’s free.

[@troygraham2198]

$1 is a days pay in my country...if i made $5 in 12 hours, my family will be eating good!✌

[@scrapitall200]

Where are you from? Thank you for watching.

[@blackbird309]

I just sort the wire, metal types throwing it in the back of my truck and wait till i have enough for a few hundred. Passive income

[@scrapitall200]

Nothing wrong with that at all. Thank you for watching.

[@y.lelivelt2619]

Thank you for this video.

[@scrapitall200]

You’re very welcome and thank you for watching.

[@gaildeckant267]

That aluminum pan would fit in a toaster oven and accomplish the heating part. Don't know the cost but at 13c kiliwatt hour should be less than propane. No set up and no putting it all away too.

[@scrapitall200]

I agree, I think electricity would be cheaper. Great idea, thank you.

[@UKscrapper]

Great video I strip all my plugs brass sharp mounts up

[@scrapitall200]

I’ve never scrapped a plug like you’ve got, I wonder if they’re tougher to do than USA ones. Thank you for watching.

[@andrewbussell3224]

I have a 5 gallon bucket of them. I need to do my friend.

[@scrapitall200]

Wow that’s a lot of plugs! Thank you for watching.

[@thomaslaprade9620]

No vise needed ,,I pair of pair of Chanel locks and one cutter to pull out prongs.and the big plugs need a twist as u pull,to break the rubber

[@scrapitall200]

I prefer the vise but your method works just fine as well. Thank you for watching

[@521farmer]

Howdie great plan ya hav to be in for fun and something to do it's!!! Boring yes agree money ha ha keeps hands and mind busy l,m from Canada 🇨🇦 SK and we try to clean up what Dad was doing he liked sitting on his old chair cleaning house wire cords and crushing cans side ways we are going to build one someday thks for sharing your project with us keep them coming ya got my vote mighty fine Sir thanks again Paul later 😊

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you so much for your comment and for your support, I really appreciate it!

[@w124mercedes7]

I was given about 30 big industrial electric motors to scrap. I bet the smallest motor is 300lbs i am guessing there is probably 1000 lbs of copper But probably more. Some of these motors are bigger than car engins. They have been sitting in a pile for about 2 years. Eventually I'll get to scrap them. Someday

[@scrapitall200]

Wow, that’s really awesome!

[@richardroyles1423]

Thanks for the info. God bless.

[@scrapitall200]

You’re welcome! God bless you too and thank you for watching.

[@JohnJoe-pf8of]

Informative video 👍

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you! Thank you for watching.

[@JohnJoe-pf8of]

You're welcome

[@rayfalcon777]

Liked and subscribed to your channel from USA

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you so very much!

[@onyxfire7511]

I just started scrapping and was would how to do the plugs. Thank you!

[@scrapitall200]

That’s awesome. Happy scrapping to you and if you have any questions feel free to email me. Thank you for watching.

[@onyxfire7511]

Thanks!

[@jonboyfutch8081]

I use the large cable cutters from harbor freight in b/t the prongs long ways of course then hold each piece with plies and soften them with a hammer 😅😅

[@scrapitall200]

Interesting method, I might have to give that a try. Thank you for watching.

[@MarcinEasyRider]

Best regards film Poland 😊😊

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you for watching all the way from Poland!

[@toddwest8618]

Awesome Video Buddy

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you very much. Thank for watching.

[@visitingdeadadventures]

Awesome video buddy ..

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you so much. Thank you for watching.

[@JsStack]

Great information and video.

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you so much and I appreciate you watching.

[@maxwebster7572]

You might go talk to your yard. On they make you cut them off to turn the wire from 30% to 60% recovery. If you are getting $1.50 for the wire then the plugs sometimes pay $0.50/lb on their own over tin.

[@scrapitall200]

They call all my insulated wire #2 insulated, they won’t take any of the cords with the ends still on them. Thank you for watching.

[@maxwebster7572]

@@scrapitall200 Here they won't take HMS 1,2 or 3 but they WILL pay tin for HMS. If they are paying #2 for all insulated copper then strip your 60% and send them the 30% recovery.

[@scrapitall200]

@@maxwebster7572 I strip all of that except the super low grade. However I did make a video where I used a paper shredder to granulate copper wire and currently I’m working on some upgrades to make it even better. I’m a hobby scrapper so I’m always looking for fun ways to scrap lol.

[@mehrbanali4453]

Well done

[@scrapitall200]

Thank you so much and thank you for watching.