Scrapping Massive 500lbs Copper Transformer

Scrapping giant 500lb copper transformer, using the jaws of life to recover the copper. This was one of the toughest Transformers I've ever scraped
Editing: Adobe Premiere Pro 2020
SEO: www.tubebuddy.com/ProjectShopFL
Music: bensound.com, mixkit.co

[@matteliano454]

Dude, I just recently discovered you. You are automatically right up there with my scrapping heroes. I love to see people maximize their scrap value, and wheel and deal. I made sure to subscribe. In my personal book, you are up there among the great micro scrappers like eWaste Ben, Canadian Treasure Hunter, and other I'm sure I'm forgetting. Shark Scrapper is another good one. If I missed any good micro scrappers, I apologize. I just haven't found you yet.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for the sub and for watching.

[@robk1310]

FYI, I’ve been in the fire service since 1992. Firefighters cringe when people say ‘jaws of life’. It’s so corny to say that. We all refer to the hydraulic rescue tools as Cutters and Spreaders. There is also a smaller attachment that is a spreader with cutter built in, kind of like a pair of pliers with the wire cutter near the hinge. We refer to that as the Combi-tool. Half the time you’re cutting a body out of the wreckage for the coroner, so calling it the jaws of life is kinda ridiculous.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for the clarification. What I was using in that video was the combi-tool. I have 3 total, 2 cutters and 1 shredder. Have you guys upgraded to the new batteries ones yet? Id love to get my hands on one. lol

[@lowiqsavage]

Jaws of death it is then .. o.0

[@scotthoward4836]

The Jaws of life are just a phrase used. Importantly they save the lives of people who are trapped, pinned, stuck in a car wreck or whatever the case may be to free the living.... and dead

[@dougboudreau1227]

I’ve been meaning to post on here. I came across three large transformers out of a hospital and in the process made friends with the electrician running work there. He has since sold me 4-100lb’ers. 4-200lbs, and three other ones that were too big to pick up. Those had 75,65,&70 lbs of copper. Bought them for transformer weight. A total of about 2600 lbs. there were a few control transformers also but those are pretty small. Would not have known how much these are worth without your videos. Love the channel maybe one day I’ll be doing the volume you do.

[@dougboudreau1227]

Crap just realized this is 2 yrs old. I’ll have to post on another more recent video.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks, Glad the videos helped.

[@gulfcoastacrscrapper6523]

What a Beast looking transformer . Nice job project shop FL 💪🌴

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks 👍

[@LuisRodriguez-xf9lv]

Took My hat off, you really are the king of copper good job.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thank you

[@stevethescrounger6683]

Wow man! You kicked ass on that. Fun to watch!

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thank you

[@lanitaorjeraldlewisdillorl2258]

I love how you respond to every single comment. The commitment that takes is amazing & awesome. I to shows you read every comment. 👍😍

[@ProjectShopFl]

thank you it is a lot of work but if someone comments I’d like to acknowledge that and answer any questions. Thanks for watching

[@nachostuff]

Thats a massive transformer - 100 pounds of copper FTW!

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks, it did not want to give up the copper that easy. 😂

[@eby6114]

The only thing I could think of that might help would be using a wedge in your press to open it up for the jaws. It might not be worth the time but it'd open it up with ease.

[@ProjectShopFl]

This was the hardest transformer I've ever done. Normally I just use 2 pry bars and usually come out pretty easily, not this one. lol I can see how the press could help but I don't think it needed, once the Jaw opened it up it stayed oped and was easily able to get it in deeper. I did have to work the first one from both sides. Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for watching.

[@scrappingadventures290]

Wow, that’s what a crap ton of copper looks like, great work man 👍👍

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks

[@afineliner740]

Success !!! Great job. 👍

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thank you! 👍

[@shanesuthy]

thats a beast of a transformer

[@ProjectShopFl]

Best part it was free. lol

[@dennishelter7241]

Love your videos man

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thank you

[@eldiablo8019]

Damn, those things are tough to break down. I can't imagine trying to do that with out the tools you have,

[@ProjectShopFl]

I did the first one by hand like 6 month ago, I've been waiting till I got the spreader. What a difference. lol Thanks for watching.

[@scrapman502]

@@ProjectShopFl If I had a transformer like that, it would be my weekend project to tear it down. My only power tools are a circular saw and a Drill. It's hand tools all the way here.

[@edwinheredia4305]

Wow, that's awesome claw. It did the job.

[@ProjectShopFl]

It's definitely a game changer. lol

[@mattsfirewoodvideos738]

I hit the thumbs up before the video starts brother cause I know it's a good one

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks

[@cuscrapping]

Absolutely freaking AWESOME as always!!! I was hoping the grapple operator was going to throw that core into the pile! LOL!!!

[@ProjectShopFl]

He did! but, the camera died during filming.

[@cjab111]

@@ProjectShopFl lol, love the new copper donut photo!

[@ProjectShopFl]

@@cjab111 Thanks

[@rustblade5021]

there should be a brake adjustment screw on that tool balancer so you can make it float higher if you want

[@ProjectShopFl]

It does have one, The trolly is not high enough. I was on the table so it was kinda all the way up already. It's a work in progress but a big game changer when it comes to not being worn out by heavy equipment.

[@robertlivingstone3947]

Great job and very interesting video

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks

[@RoeMantic]

Killing it!!!

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks Roe Mantic, I like the new look dude.

[@NateGreen-ps4ue]

Great video

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks!

[@ruthbutler725]

Do the jaws have narrower tips to get in farther before opening? Don't know if it would help. Enjoy your videos.

[@ProjectShopFl]

I'm glad you enjoy the videos. I'm not sure about the tips I bought them used and this is how they came. I can see how that could help but also would be a weak point if they are too thin. I plan on looking in to different attachments and maybe even make some custom ones if needed. Thanks for watching.

[@williammiller5572]

Hey man thanks for the videos and info. Just did my first large transformer. It went great because of your content. One question ?? Do you clean some of the copper up? With what?? Or just take paper and all to recycling place.

[@ProjectShopFl]

I sell it as is for #2 copper.

[@jameserickson693]

Thank for all the ideas the flay knife works good thanks you have good ideas 💡 thank you

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for watching.

[@copperkingrecycling634]

Another awesome video. I would sweep for free just for the Copper Dust. BTW, Nice T-shirt.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Haha, I use to have a guy clean the back of my truck and I let him keep any scrap. lol I thought you might like the shirt. Not trying to take your name, It's gonna be the name of my processing when it's all working, The wire stripper, the granulator, the transformer press, the stator wrecker, & the sluice. Its gonna be epic! lol

[@jessicadavis7746]

That jaw is a beautiful thing!!!!!!!

[@ProjectShopFl]

I totally agree. lol Thanks for watching.

[@TECHNICUSChannel]

Ooh nice shark :) copper shark and monster!

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks

[@russbeck1214]

First finish taking off the frame wich will give the metal sheets a little more play, plus use a concrete saw that doesn't have teeth will be much easier.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for the suggestion

[@ChuckFin321]

Hey I just did the same style transformers by hand this weekend except there was 3 and they were about twice as tall. Man I'm sore, used a sawzall to make one cut and then a crowbar to unwrap and pulled them out layer by layer. First time scrapping got 3 55gal trash cans full of the wire. Is there anyway to soak the copper in something to get the thin paper off or just scrap it as is? Can send pics if you post your email! Great vid and subbed!!

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks, [e-mail] I just sell it with the paper as #2 copper but some yards are picky

[@ipaddlemyowncanoe.7441]

That's the only way to do it that worked good good stuff. 👍👍😀🇨🇦🔌

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks

[@kennethmaxwell5365]

looks like fun! I hope you gather the copper dust on the table / floor.

[@ProjectShopFl]

I always do, got a bucket I have been saving so when I rebuild the water sluice I can run it.

[@wolterbijleveld205]

Maybe you could try an air chipper with a sharp blade. They go right through the transformers steel plates and cut the copper all at one time. They cut the copper easily.

[@ProjectShopFl]

I have heard of this method and am eager to try it. thanks for the suggestion and for watching.

[@thedunebuggyboi]

Hey man how does a portaband work for taking coils off flush with the core? Nice vid as always!

[@ProjectShopFl]

I tried that years ago and I was not impressed. I always wanted to try on a proper ban saw. On some coils (the ones with a small gap at the core) it worked great. On the ones where the copper coils were tight to the core the blade would sometimes deflect away for the core and you would have to grind it anyway. At least that was my experience. I don't think it would work on the larger transformers. Thanks for watching.

[@thedunebuggyboi]

@@ProjectShopFl got ya man. I can see what you mean!

[@blakehorton8110]

Where are you getting transformers on a reg like that??? I'm an electrician and installed many of an and regretfully trashed alot as well , but couldn't for the life wonder who would just give you an transformer like that

[@vulcantv2964]

Hi my friend 🙋‍♂️ I have prepared a great video about copper for you, please watch it🙏, you will like it➡️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKLcqKdngJx2l5I

[@ProjectShopFl]

I buy them from electrical contractors. lol

[@blackopsrocks]

Use the course diamond grit ferrous blades, less bucking, same cut speed on the larger 7 or 8 inch grinders.

[@ProjectShopFl]

but how long would one last? I was able to cut 7 large aluminum in the video before this and the copper transformer and my blade is still cutting...

[@blackopsrocks]

@@ProjectShopFl I've made about 1400 cuts this month on black/yellow dry transformers, roughly 12k lbs total gross, same blade, BUT the big thing is the blade doesn't kick back, I was using carbides but they are simply too dangerous, if it resonates it will break for sure and hurt someone.

[@tillmansomethinrother8649]

I wonder if a portable band saw would be safer. You could possibly cut closer and all of it at one time..

[@ProjectShopFl]

I don't think you would be able to penetrate in all areas

[@andrewhowe7398]

guys got more copper on the floor then i do in a hole year off collecting lol nice job

[@ProjectShopFl]

Haha, Thanks for watching.

[@michaelpedde9521]

Have you considered a band saw to make simpler, clearer more effective cuts. Certainly would be less effort than hammer and a grinder with blade. Much safer as well

[@ProjectShopFl]

I’m open to try anything but I don’t know if the band saw will be able to make the cuts on some of the bigger transformers

[@dommyboysmith]

Cutting out some notches on the backside of the jaw tips might grant you less slipping and a better grab. (Don't know how clear that was. Think serrations)

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for the tip.

[@greekgods3399]

love it

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks

[@thatsmydawg]

Is it worth breaking down? I have 6-7 at work and they are in the scrap pile

[@ProjectShopFl]

Yes!

[@zacharydurocher8000]

Curiously, how do you get your hands on so much copper?

[@ProjectShopFl]

I buy it from electricians

[@johnmorgan6997]

Where do those transformers come from, like what r they used for or where?

[@ProjectShopFl]

That particular one came from a large yacht

[@Atlantismonkey40]

OK that was some cool shit. That little flappy piece, causing a snag. Put a neodymium magnet on that sucker. Will pull right out of your way. Be safe.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Great Idea, Thanks for sharing.

[@rookierollhunter8652]

New sub to your channel. Nice haul!!!

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks! 👊

[@brandonback5508]

Holy crap! What did that thing come out of

[@ProjectShopFl]

I think that one came out of a large yacht

[@Richiethebull369]

How much copper did you pull out from this? Pretty cool!

[@ProjectShopFl]

Over 500 lbs if I remember correctly

[@alanatkins4315]

I use a masonary disc when cutting copper.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for the suggestion

[@sandro14esandro14e]

Love the jaw are you in Toronto region by chance

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks, No South Florida USA. lol

[@MrSanmanbob]

if you had a band saw , would that help

[@ProjectShopFl]

For that one probably not because of the size and weight. On smaller ones I've always wanted to try a band saw.

[@ScrappingwithGrandpa]

Now that’s a grinder

[@ProjectShopFl]

Yes and is not for everyone, I wouldn’t recommend running a grinder that big with that type of blade. lol i’m not right in the head. lol

[@peterswalmen]

Make a sharp blade on a woodspllitter and shave the Copper of. Works perfect.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for the suggestion

[@charleyrallen]

Ive scrapped a couple of those and I used a sawzall to cut the copper flush to the metal and knocked the rest out with a hammer. Wasnt to difficult. I didnt have the tools you have though

[@ProjectShopFl]

I did the first coil by hand and It was supper hard to remove after I cut it. It sat for months till I got the jaw.

[@vulcantv2964]

Hi my friend 🙋‍♂️ I have prepared a great video about copper for you, please watch it🙏, you will like it➡️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKLcqKdngJx2l5I

[@chrtopherscinta2153]

if u ever get more cut both sides and take 1 or 2 layers and 1 or 2 pcs from the first or second layer out at a time after on pc is out the rest of that layer will pull out then at that point ill all be loose

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for the suggestion, I try and do minimal amount of cutting. Usually they are not this hard.

[@idrisdavies2954]

I used to do them in England turn it upside down and just hit the sheet out and the copper will just pull out

[@ProjectShopFl]

Usually that works but this was glued and very tight.

[@Atlantismonkey40]

How do you recover the copper shaving?

[@ProjectShopFl]

With a broom and a dust pan. lol

[@mattsfirewoodvideos738]

Look at the beam bend when lifting that thing

[@ProjectShopFl]

It was already bent from when I put a 4' extension on it, 300 lbs of counter balance and tried to mag lift the steel plat off my table, at 700 lbs it bent. lol

[@azrielmateria8050]

Looks like the transformer from a ups backup!

[@ProjectShopFl]

Came from a yacht

[@alexandradeuen1610]

Macht mehr spaß als öde bürostrafarbeit in einer verpissten Kanzlei!

[@ProjectShopFl]

English please

[@mrsmelt7823]

Where did you get that transformer from?

[@ProjectShopFl]

It came off a yacht

[@kurtremislettmyr7108]

Copper King😂 ❤️

[@ProjectShopFl]

haha, Thanks for watching

[@BGTech1]

All that copper must have made the work worth it

[@ProjectShopFl]

Yes, especially since the transformer was free. lol Thanks for watching.

[@jasonmurphy748]

How much money did u make off the copper

[@ProjectShopFl]

If it's not at the end of the video I'm not sure but the transformer was free so probably a lot. lol

[@bryandraughn9830]

That iron core weighs too!

[@ProjectShopFl]

👍

Great video, man I would love to get some of those massive transformers, unfortunately they are very rare where I come from :( 👍👍😊

[@ProjectShopFl]

It was from a yacht. lol

[@jennypennyridesagain5599]

What would a transformer like that come from?

[@ProjectShopFl]

This particular transformer came from a yacht.

[@eldiablo8019]

All large commercial and industrial buildings have lots of transformers like that and larger.

[@terrythompson5025]

The Jaws are a beast. Excellent investment.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Couldn't agree more. lol Thanks for watching.

[@tommytom5650]

I know this is an old video, however, i just did a 600lb one from a room sized ups at a data center. I used a sds hammer drill in hammer mode with a thick bit I cut the end flat. Pushed that copper through in two seconds.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for sharing. Not all transformers are the same. Some fall right out, this one was the hardest I've ever taken apart.

[@vishalchandnani489]

awsm

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks you.

[@jacknanuq6119]

Wouldn't a torch have been the better tool than the saw?

[@ProjectShopFl]

Possibly, I never tried that, I have a small TX I might make a video on this. Thanks for the suggestion

[@thatsmydawg]

I sliced one side with a sawzall with a long blade cutting from the side and tops. Then smash it on the cut side with a mallet then a small hammer and then a flat chisel. Jaws of life isnt pulling straight out and its making it harder to pull out. See s easier, but its not

[@ProjectShopFl]

That transformer was the hardest one I've ever done. Believe me tried with a hammer. took for ever the coils were locked in. The Jaw made it much easer

[@gemmamudd7167]

I do this for a living you burn it on a fire it takes all the glue and paper off then cut it off and pressure wash it it will look like bright wire you will get more money for it and it does not lose weight

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for the info

[@victoryfirst2878]

Fella, you are going about it all wrong. Just take a Milwaukee deep band saw the cut off the one end along the steel laminations then press out the C-Part on the press. The easiest way possible. I did a many just like that fella. Just my two cents wroth.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for the suggestion, I don't have a deep ban saw or a press set up to take something that size so I used what I had on hand.

[@83nicebass]

Great video just fyi you gotta burn them things first.. we have done hundreds and hundreds burn then chopsaw then get the jaws of life spreader

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for the info, I am trying to do it as quick and efficient as possible. The time and fuel from burning would slow me down and cost money, I'm gonna us brute force with hydraulics, wait till you see the splitter I want to make. Thanks for the suggestion and for watching

[@83nicebass]

@@ProjectShopFl we burn them in a regular wood fire and if done hot enough recover #1cu... we do use a 35t log splitter to break the smaller trans... discovered the process from you!

[@ProjectShopFl]

@@83nicebass Thats awesome, I'd love to see your set up. As a pyro I'd live to burn everything but I am limited on what I can do in my neighbored. 😂

[@tysonwalsh8193]

I think you need pipe saw

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for the suggestion

[@albertpaulo6079]

It coming out at a angle take the hammer and hit the pice that’s going though

[@ProjectShopFl]

That coil was tough, I bought the hammer would have done much. I flipped it and put the jaw in the other side and it came right out.

[@richclean]

Scrapper gold 🤔

[@ScrappingwithGrandpa]

I have never in my life seen a transformer that big

[@ProjectShopFl]

that was actually a small one . I demoed a NSA spy building one time in Pompano Beach Florida, I wound up with for 1500 pound copper transformer and 8 300 pound transformers

[@Timmerd888]

Too much effort and time for those transformers.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Not if you have the right tools. If I was not filming I could have easily cut that thing and removed the copper in 30 min or less.

[@Timmerd888]

Definitely agree with you and I love your channel but the everyday joe “myself” doesn’t have all that awesome equipment. Keep up the good work buddy!! 🤘🏻

[@ProjectShopFl]

@@Timmerd888 Thanks

[@nathanbecker9029]

How many scrapping for a couple years and I love it you're opening up shop something 5 times bigger than I've ever seen maybe even 100 times bigger I like to submit my application if you are hiring I need any help to have a number of years of experience all kinds of trades concrete 2 drywall plumbing scrapping has always been my maybe one day I might be as lucky as you hard workers who succeed in doing it if you want a hard working hand hit me up

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks for the offer

[@scrapman502]

If 90 pounds of copper is only a couple hundred bucks, I'd say you're taking it to the wrong scrapyard. You can clean that copper up a little bit by sticking it into a BBQ grill and burning off all that paper and laquer and then quickly dowsing it into a bucket of water. This will clean up the copper quite nicely and give it back it's copper color. You probably won't get bright & shiney, but you'll get #1 out of it for sure.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Well it was free, so it was worth it for 30 min of work. In my area I get the best prices because I sell to the same places the scrap yards sell. Florida is weird, the prices seem low compared to other states like Texas. All that seems like a lot of work, If I had tons I would try but the time in my opinion is not worth messing with

[@ScrapFatherScrapSon]

It’s called scrapping we aren’t getting or expecting retail price 😂

[@charlesyates6687]

I would have used a torch

[@ProjectShopFl]

To cut the copper or steel?

[@boelensds]

if you turnd it upside down it would not bite as mutch

[@boelensds]

a14:30 you got it

[@ProjectShopFl]

haha thanks

[@vulcantv2964]

Hi my friend 🙋‍♂️ I have prepared a great video about copper for you, please watch it🙏, you will like it➡️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKLcqKdngJx2l5I

[@jerrybense8134]

Burn it falls right apart

[@ProjectShopFl]

Not so easy around here. lol

[@ScrappingwithGrandpa]

I see now why you have so many subscribers

[@ProjectShopFl]

Thanks!

[@redfishfun540]

Maybe a little WD

[@ProjectShopFl]

Haha, I never thought about that, thanks for the suggestion

[@shogormachine6658]

Loaded with asbestos

[@ProjectShopFl]

I thinks its fiberglass

[@cditzler6313]

you said 90lbs thats 100 bucks there has to be an easy way not fire to get the epoxy glues off them to make them not dirty copper

[@scrapping4shiba]

Scrapyard will buy it as #2 copper. $3.50 a pound. So $315 for 90 pounds

[@bradlang9494]

I took in the copper windings with vanish and some plastic and the yards (went to a couple) said they could only give me motor price, even though I had removed the copper from the steel. We get 85c/kg for motors. So , I took the windings home and cleaned all paper and plastics off of them. Was actually ok, I soaked them in a bucket of water and it peeled off pretty easily and cleanly. It was 18kg of solid copper windings.

[@bradlang9494]

Sorry, yeah so now I'll get burnt copper price or #2 copper which is around $10 - $11/kg at the moment. 1kg approx 2.2lb . So $180 versus $15 had to do it.

[@scrapping4shiba]

@@bradlang9494 yeah, yards can be weird. Mine buys with varnish, paper, solder, even paint. I never try for #1 copper anyway, it's only like 10 cents more per pound. I like my #2 copper, it's quick cash.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Got $3.40 a LB for it

[@trxtech3010]

Looks like a really bad accident waiting to happen! MY GOD No thanks!

[@ProjectShopFl]

It probably is. lol

[@trxtech3010]

@@ProjectShopFl lol!