Scrapping a String Trimmer and Pouring a Copper Ingot

My weed trimmer broke, so let's do some scrapping and see what kind of metal recovery we can get, then melt it all down and do a copper pour!
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[@dannygrows]

Broken weed trimmer to ingot with all the steps filmed. This video is so satisfying!

[@thubprint]

Thank you! It certainly wasn’t for profit, it was just fun to go through and see what’s in one

[@jonathanlincoln7381]

Lol almost nothing gos to trash in my house if I can scrap it great video again 👍

[@stanshort3450]

You need to invest in some Tors screwdrivers! They will save you a lot of trouble!

[@bfg69bug]

@@stanshort3450 torx

[@carlscattergood4121]

Love this style of video and the melts. When melting make sure you are wearing a suitable respirator and have plenty of ventilation, not trying to teach you how to suck eggs but the fumes given off can be deadly with some of the coatings on motor windings..... And if all else fails use a bigger hammer😁😁😈😈 Keep up the good work and I look forward to your next video.... What ever you end up scrapping😁😁

[@michaelsinclair8279]

Hammer, grinder, gas axe.... this video had everything! Sweet!

[@theodorelueker5057]

You probably don't know how long I have wondered how much scrap was in a weed trimer. But I don't have the patience to go through it. Thank you so much for that. It was fun to watch.

[@thubprint]

I’ve been wondering the entire time it’s been on my wall haha

[@adamdaley8090]

Nice breakdown, I liked the bonus melt as well. Cheers and have a wonderful weekend.

[@spideypwns]

Hope you got the good ventilation when you melting that down

[@davidrosaschi342]

Great video, love the chill voice over, almost ASMR esq but very mesmerizing. Keep up the great work!

[@dlgravedigger]

Very nice tear down. Loved it. They say......Copper is going to skyrocket in the next 5 years. I'm going to try and horde mine.

[@bsimps589]

Another brilliant video Thub! I picked up one of these a little while ago but am yet to ‘deconstruct’ it 😁 I found your videos whilst I had covid just before Easter and got into scrapping when I recovered! Also you can never be overzealous with a hammer! 😄

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Nice to see your newly acquired tree stump put to work Thub! 👍😁 Hope you have good ventilation in that shed mate..

[@its_marc]

That’s quality, really enjoyable watch thanks 🙏

[@erichonomichl7869]

love your videos! you got me inspired to start scrapping.

[@MattsAwesomeStuff]

Princess Auto sells $5 security bit sets. They come in a squishy blue plastic enclosure. However, they're always too short. Tools often have deeply recessed screw holes. So you need to go to the Princess Auto off 114th in the south (the north doesn't carry them), and get one of their $12 6" long security torque bit sets. Worthwhile if you ever want to fix... almost anything tool-wise nowadays. They always slip one in to screw (ha) with you.

[@DSJHomestead]

I was scrapping some random thing, and it had 3 phillips and a security flat head. It's amazing how well a sawzall can handle the plastic and that security screw.

[@thubprint]

I think I’d love to have the full kit of every security screw and the long ones sound great! Definitely more important for fixing stuff than scrapping stuff haha

[@510Redneck]

I got a giggle out of the elegant little double tap with the tongs because it's something id most certainly do at a job well done.... 🤣

[@serzyoutdoors]

Love these random teardown and melt videos. I've been watching another channel and it seems to be the same motors all the time. You are doing what I will most likely be doing. Random thrown away stuff, whatever I can get my hands on type stuff. Just got my furnace and can't wait to start melting stuff down. I do have plans to cast stuff instead of bars, maybe coins and stamp what they came from on the back.

[@benhumphregys3087]

Excellent work as always thub

[@thubprint]

I appreciate you Ben! 😁

[@TeamBlackDiamond]

Really liking these videos. You asked what would I like to see next. How about make a nice aluminum brick from cans? That would be cool.

[@saadrazzaq1946]

Love it just going to the scrap yard. Happy Canada Day.

[@afineliner740]

Ah yes the tree stump !!. That was very enjoyable. 👍

[@daleh645]

Creative and overzealous, not at all, I seen an exercise in stress release management! 🤣 Another great video. 🙏🏼🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@MrTds1986]

love this video, would like to see more sourcing videos too!

[@matt2244]

Want to melt my old car hood/trunk haha! Really enjoying the melting videos

[@jeffswartek7356]

Great vid!!

[@javajeff3772]

Know when to harness your inner Bruce Banner, and when to harness your inner Hulk … great job. I really enjoy these new style vids, in addition to your dumpster diving, trash picking, scrap yard and clean out videos.

[@bigredbullion3883]

Great video

[@smallgaragebigdreams1085]

Well this couldn’t of worked out better. I have a whole pile of weed eaters and mowers to strip down tonight. Gas and electric. Never really been sure what to expect from a electric eater. Guess I’ll know In a few minutes. Happy Canada day brother 👌🏼

[@dr.a006]

I scrapped out my own the other day. And yes I did try and fix the switch but it wouldn’t stay fixed. I’ve done several others. Lots of plastic! But a nice little motor and not much wire. Better than the trash.

[@mollynakamori]

Nice stump. Happy Canada Day!

[@jean-simondoiron2783]

Thats a fresh new way of editing. It's good ;)

[@mucho73cobbcobb95]

No sir not even close to overzealous with the hammer! Its my scrapping go to tool of choice! Love all your hard work keep it up.

[@gravitybear]

I'm enjoying the melting and casting. This was great, just "How much copper is in THIS thing?"

[@marlinblanco9285]

And also you should do more melting metals I like that kind of stuff I do it myself

[@ValacircaTN]

When in doubt ... hammer. Love the vids keep'em coming great format!

[@jerryjennyc5352]

Hello mr thub happy Canada day

[@cameronm.6797]

Cool to see more metal casting from this channel! You should try making some aluminum Ingots cuz it melts a lot easier than copper!

[@thubprint]

I’ll do some aluminium on the next one probably, but I have to say I don’t love melting and stacking aluminium.. it’s pretty dirty and wasteful

[@madelinerose5326]

Melting content of computer. Should be gold!

[@coreysmith2984]

Different kind of video but I’m rly into it. Something about stacking semi precious medals

[@DSJHomestead]

BigstackD here on youtube has wonderful melt ASRM's every friday afternoon, Australia time.

[@ScrappingwithGrandpa]

You keep pouring metal like that you’ll be like the big stacker and have a whole shelf full of it. I’m having my building built 26 x 36 I hope to do the same thing

[@tonylittle1387]

I would like to say Hi to the stump that you found in the bath tub dumpster video🤝

[@77speckym56]

Hi I have been watching your channel for over a year now I have to say you have learnt me a lot off valuable lesson I am fro the UK so its very different laws over here but I do micro scraping to make the most off what I can get my hands but I have built good relationships with PC shops family and friends and now the scrap just rolls in a tip from you in one offnyour uploads that I took note on and built so thankyou just wondering what gloves you use thanks

[@toddburrell9181]

I always say eh when I get the security screws in small pressure washers. Cool Video appreciate you sharing as always!

[@bfg69bug]

Irons, printers, some vcr's

[@scottbuechler9604]

Awesome video would love to see a double window fan done

[@LuisRodriguez-xf9lv]

Good video. can you get a gas devil forge? im thinking to buy one for making copper ingots the good side id that you can upgrade #2 copper into #1 and dont forget the copper from relay contactors. it is thin copper but if you get enough as a good scrapper you are, will make diference at long term

[@david.perrip4316]

Nice job thub! Big stack T !! HAHAHAH,I Also melt copper and make bars. Looks like u got more of a gold setup up there in Canada!! Lovin it

[@thubprint]

That’s kind of why I went for the torch setup, now I can melt a whole range of metals! Might find enough gold eventually 😄

[@jakertheelaborater2573]

those are also called tamperproof screws and they are most likely there to keep people from fixing it or from seeing how it's made.

[@richardwarnock2789]

Security Screw's An't going to Stop a Thub!!!; )

[@kevink.2719]

Fun video

[@thubprint]

👍

[@goosubux]

The tool every scrapper must have - a BMFH.

[@PlatoonGoon]

sheesh the editing and camera work are going to spoil us lol great style breaking down a single item though, feels focused and relaxing to see the whole process especially with this commentary style. it'd be sweet to see some radiator end pieces melted down or maybe a custom thubprint mold to pour into that'd be wild to see

[@thubprint]

That’s very kind, thank you! I want to work really hard on these ones and make them stand out. Custom molds are an excellent idea!

[@WhatsthePOINT_EDC]

What’s the best way to handle things if you truly accidentally grab something you think is scrap but turns out not to be scrap? Any help will be much appreciated.

[@carlscattergood4121]

If you're scraped it correctly no one will ever know...... Either that or just run away!😈

[@bradmcgill2709]

Recently scrapped my 1st trimmer. Just letting you know you've been part of my healthy, balanced breakfast for most of this year - coffee, smokes and Thub vids.

[@mohammadhaziqbinmohdnasri2478]

Just wondering, what will you do with the leftover plastic pieces? Cause here in my country, most scrap center accept plastics too at about $0.10 per kg.

[@thubprint]

We just put the plastic in the recycling bin, getting paid for it would be awesome!

[@benjaminarmstrong7047]

I took one of these apart just today, my first. The very same motor. No safety screws.

[@thaddeus_whiting]

Just wondering the increase in copper value = o2 and gas ?

[@DSJHomestead]

if you do more weedeaters in the future, I would start a bin of the heads (write the brand they came off)- you can probably sell them to the local back yard "I'll fix it for 50 bucks" guy. Also really great video. I had a blast watching it.

[@thubprint]

Nice, thanks! I had a fun time making it 😊 And that makes sense, those parts probably get broken more often than anything else on them

[@DSJHomestead]

@@thubprint Yeah, and it's a easy fix (and keeps the thing out of the dump). Thanks for you content! It's taught me a lot. (rookie scrapper still)

[@Goobywoobygoo]

I wish you would do a video on the melting itself, just kinda came out of nowhere a couple vids ago. As far as I know most scrap yards don’t take DIY melts because they can’t guarantee the purity. So are you using them for something else?

[@Jason1975ism]

Scrap yards would be insane to take home melts.

[@Goobywoobygoo]

@@Jason1975ism Yeah wish he’d say what his plans for the ingots are.

[@Drewsroofingandhomerepair]

My yard will not take melted copper but they sell good on ebay

[@jombody6731]

So every once in a while actually more often than not I come across these windings nice big windings and I think that I have scored until I break them in half and realize that they are indeed aluminum what can I do with these other than be pissed off if they're not copper what do you do with them

[@thubprint]

Honestly? Throw them out haha 😂 They’re just dirty aluminium. I always have a bin of dirty aluminium so it goes in there but it’s best to check them before taking the thing all apart and just call them a motor.

[@gregorysuto1865]

If you are going to be selling your ingots and you are simply melting because lets face it it’s awesome do not mix any zinc into the crucible because if your buyer questions your copper bars and shoots them with the gun it will tell them there are trace amounts of zinc and you may get #2 instead of #1. Also melt as much as possible all at once. Get a 10lb crucible and pour 2 bars at once trying to maintain the heat. Propane is expensive. It is much more hip showing up to sell your copper and brass in bar form.

[@thubprint]

Great points, thank you! I’m not too fussed about selling the bars but I am being careful to have separate crucibles for each material. I was aiming to do a few smaller items like this to test the response before investing in the big kiln. I do like the idea of having a growing stash of copper bars though! 😁

[@countdales5275]

Princess auto sells 5kg crucibles for $20 now

[@RedTrek2]

How do you know when it is silver, as opposed to. aluminum or stainless steel?

[@jenntek.101]

aluminum is lighter than silver. Stainless is shiny. Silver? well; set it in a small cup of vinegar for a while (10 or 20 minutes?) It will clean up nice. ....

[@NOFX0890]

You sure those little do hickeys are bronze? Theyre super brittle. For some reason i thought i was collecting a magnesium alloy.

[@thubprint]

I’m not crazy familiar with bronze but I understand it is much more brittle than copper/brass. We’ll find out real quick when I go to melt them if they’ve got magnesium in them! 😄

[@joeybuldo3008]

You should try to make aluminum ingots similar to the lead ones I think that would be cool and fun

[@thubprint]

Oh I’m into the idea! I’ve got a melt dish for aluminium ready to go. It’s just kind of a mess because it oxidizes like crazy

[@trasieinkersole491]

WoW.

[@joshp6061]

I also love taking things apart, sadly I’m not good with power tools but I make do with what I have. You’d be surprised what’s in an old style camera, and how many tiny screws there are lol

[@thubprint]

Old camera would be cool! I don’t think I can justify doing one on a scrap channel though, as interesting as it would be for me I doubt there’s anything I can melt and pour

[@MrChunkydunk]

Nice video. Will scrap yards buy ingots like that up there? Down here they will not even touch one. They claim is plated or something.

[@thubprint]

I haven’t tried selling any yet 😅 I’ve got a good relationship with my yards, I doubt I’ll have any trouble selling them

[@rynait]

keep pipe with handle. you can use it as leverage extension tool with nice handle to pull on.

[@thubprint]

That’s a good idea, this one isn’t made of strong material though

[@rynait]

@@thubprint not always has to be strong. i found my handle stronger than the sheet metal tube. but you can grab those emt tubes which is stronger than my weedwhacker tube. but using same handle. 🙂

[@highspotharry5530]

What is the point of melting it down into bars? Does it sell for a higher value? Where or who can you sell it too? Is it more of just a hobby to do? Very curious as you’re one of my “go to” people on KZbin when it comes to scrapping.

[@DSJHomestead]

a lot of yards won't buy diy melts.

[@thubprint]

Yeah it’s just a fun thing to do, there’s no increase in value. It’s a costly process and not necessarily going to be a good scrap price if and when I do sell it. If the goal is to make money from scrap, melting it into bars is a waste

[@jpm8942]

Good job! You are only 999 999 trimmers away from being a millionaire :)

[@uniquethrowbacks9576]

Does scrap metal yards accept melted metals ?

[@ValacircaTN]

Some ; depends on your relation with them, better sell them on ebay or something like that

[@user-uk1oc8hc6i]

what is your melting pot made of?

[@thubprint]

It’s a ceramic melt dish, it’s meant for it

[@brandonpiper5000]

How could you tell those bits were silver?

[@thubprint]

It’s just what is always used in switches. They have to use silver because other metals would deform or corrode

[@goodtimeeric]

The security screws are there to make it more difficult to electrocute oneself.

[@thubprint]

I mean that’s fair but if a person is dead set on electrocuting themselves they’ll find a way

[@goodtimeeric]

@@thubprint Very true. Here in Australia we use 240 Volt AC. I personally prevented a Colombian friend from frying himself as he thought the broken trigger switch contacts could just be taped together to start the trimmer and just untaped and pulled apart again to stop it. 😆 The only thing that would have stopped would be his heart.

[@Swescrapman]

Why have you started melting copper and brass? :) will not prices be worse then?

[@marlinblanco9285]

You should get a furnace to melt metals

[@michaelmorrow8282]

Melt silver please, maybe from switches?

[@thubprint]

That is part of the plan for sure, but those silver buttons aren’t pure silver. They have cadmium or tungsten to prevent them from welding together and the cadmium is highly toxic. I need to refine the silver with electrolysis first, but I need to collect enough to justify the nitric acid that requires. I’m looking forward to it though! 😁

[@ProjectShopFl]

Nice melt down. lol

[@Kreygore]

Can you melt a washing machine

[@marlinblanco9285]

And I have a bunch of copper as well

[@scottbuechler9604]

Or mini fridge

[@scotthoward4836]

I would like to see cheese melted next

[@thubprint]

With the torch?? Well now I want to see that lol

[@0ptimal]

@@thubprint cheese ingots!

[@scotthoward4836]

😄😆🤣😂Now that's a great idea! Halloumi would be the best choice for ingots. Just be sure to eat the right one if your making copper, ali or any other type of ingots at the same time. PG recommended if attempting this at home.

[@timothyneiswander3151]

What should you melt next? MY MIND!

[@beowulfstreasure9523]

PLEASE WEAR A RESPIRATOR. FYI- Brass is the worst for toxic fumes. also, 2 words- Devils Forge, it is best for smelting.

[@ashtonsseries6968]

If your going to break the item down as much as possible and retrieve as much metals as possible then i would like to see a fruit machine being striped down. and all copper maybe brass if enough melted even ally.👍♻️

[@Jason1975ism]

You want a copper product you can make and sell? Look up a video on flint knapping. We use a tool called a billet or bopper. They're hard to find! You can make a mold and melt copper into billets and sell them. I need one! Fat copper isn't a Home Depot acquired item. In fact, big copper hammers, are also useful but unobtainium. You need to make copper flint knapping tools.

[@DSJHomestead]

is that the little spike that goes at teh end of a ichie stick?

[@Jason1975ism]

@@DSJHomestead I use ground wire for pressure flakers and hollow plumber caps with lead for boppers. Solid copper boppers go for $50 or more.

[@DSJHomestead]

@@Jason1975ism Last time I tried napping, my instructor had me using deer antler for both bopping and pressure flaking. But I'm also a scrapper who loves to melt stuff, so looking for things to sell to help keep the farm/homestead running is def worth it. I need wintertime projects.

[@Jason1975ism]

@@DSJHomestead antler is ok but it wears out and isn't as easy to get. Definitely look at making solid copper billets. Copper knapping tools are a good selling thing.

[@thubprint]

That’s super cool, thanks for the input! I’d also watched videos where the fella uses antler but I suppose that’s more because it’s easy to obtain. I can see why copper would be good though, sturdy but soft, good material to express pressure but not straight up crush the workpiece. I could certainly do a hammer!

[@neverland5299]

The things that you do when you are bored

[@kc3747]

I liked for the hammer

[@chrisfrench2130]

Security screws are for patent security lol not that it matters

[@t7ank]

Why dont u clean copper with cocacola or ketchup?

[@beig1279]

I Hope you know that the brushes are Made Out of 50% Carbon and 50% silver.

[@MeatyFeet1]

Dish washer, washing machine

[@tomokovlog8567]

less than $2 in materials yet they charge about $300 in the store to buy a new one

[@kringsb]

Jingle bells 7:35?

[@digitalbowser]

Pro tip #132, never buy string for your trimmer again. Just save the spools from the ones you scrap.

[@jeffmason5054]

BigStackD jr.??

[@thubprint]

LittleStackD? 😂

[@zinithin-8208]

Isn’t it just a waste of money to do that? Like with a fuel you use, do you even make a profit from cleaning and melting it down?

[@thubprint]

Oh yes absolutely, there’s nothing profitable about it. That took an entire afternoon for less than $2😆

[@hughbaker7597]

heat those little pieces of copper up with a propane touch they come off peasy

[@thubprint]

Nice tip! Probably much cleaner melt that way too

[@unclejohnbulleit2671]

OAFC

[@jenntek.101]

soak your copper in vinegar. LoL...

[@richraah9590]

security screws are to stop people repairing there machines, so wasteful and greedy from company's

[@thescrapmeister]

Not much value when the dust settles :-)