Scrapping out an old Electric Arc Welder for Copper, Scrap Metal, Parts + Recycling Options

I've had this old welder for many years and it's time to move it on! Unfortunately these vintage welders have virtually no demand anymore, so let's see how much value we can find pulling it apart!
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[@alonys]

I really liked this one! thanks for breathing all that dust for us.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

I kept it to a minimum Sarit! Thanks! 😊

[@DavidTheDave]

Great timing once again, Chris! I pulled a stick welder about twice the size of this and about the same age out of one of my skips today. Looking forward to stripping it down.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Gee Dave, that would have taken an effort to get it out of a skip!

[@DavidTheDave]

@@TheUltimateRecycler Learned the benefits of mechanical advantage in high school physics many years ago! Hauled out a huge, heavy water blaster too. Sadly beyond repair but good scrap value. I pay the transfer station by weight so if I can remove and recycle/repair stuff it's "win, win" as we we youngsters say.

[@davecarter34]

I brought one of these off ebay in 2018 for 50 bucks, good strong old school welder, bloody heavy ended up putting it on a dolly to move around easier

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

They are a great workhorse Dave! Yes, and very heavy! 😲👍

[@ShadowMoonFarms]

Quite interesting. Thank you

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks Cynthia! 😊

[@DavidTipton101]

I bought one of these Peerless welders back in the late 70s, they were just changing to aluminium windings and it was a toss up as to whether you got a copper or aluminium wound welder, mine was aluminum unfortunately but it's still going. Thanks Chris 🙂

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

This one was still going too - they made things with a much better life expectancy back then! Thanks Dave 😊👍

[@afineliner740]

I would love one of those to scrap. It's just as well you can sell items through the shop, that helps boost the bottom line to make up for not separating the copper. In your case you made the right decision. 👍

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

After watching Ian Matthews tear apart a welder transformer, I'm sure I made the right decision!👍🤣

[@rickmoore]

Ian Matthews needs to follow your example with clearing the shed, hehe

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

He has acknowledged the lesson Rick - but we both know Ian will never change! 🤣🤣

[@katrinaharber2263]

Asbestos was used in so many things back in the day, so it would not be surprising if that is in the mix. Good value from the welder all up .

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

You just never know where it will turn up Katrina - especially on stuff from the 50s/60s! Thanks for watching 😊

[@lanitaorjeraldlewisdillorl2258]

You'll get a bit of money from the welder there plus what you get from your KZbin channel, YEAH! I'm assuming about the KZbin money but I sure hope you do. You put a lot of work & time into your videos & it shows. Your videos are great quality that's just one of the reasons I'll keep watching. You got me hooked from the first one I saw.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Many thanks for your kind comments! 😊 FYI this video has made me $24.15 so far!

[@Man-in-da-shed]

Chris, Spooky. I also tripped over a large transformer the other night, alas though old it was all Ally wound, now I know where I’ve been going wrong in my shed clearance, what is it you said, once picked up deal with it. As for the fibre covered copper. I can vouch that it is one of the worst type of insulation to try to remove, I still would have done it though, but that’s my hobby, so time don’t matter. Great vid and parts breakdown. IAN

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks Ian, appreciate you watching! Yep - deal with it! That's the key! 😜😁

[@noddynoodle7060]

Haha! Excellent Chris, the old time vs dollars returned problem. I have one of these kicking around somewhere and I think you have convinced me which way to go. I can get $1/kg for transformers which is a pretty good return🤜🤛. Cheers NN

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

There's always that dollars vs time conundrum haunting all of us scrappers! Thanks NN 😊

[@scotthoward4836]

Some of them had it written on it 100% Australian copper

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Did they? I didn't see any reference to copper on this one. Thanks for watching Scott 👍

[@lynnf4261]

I laugh when people try to justify why they scrap something... my friend its yours you scrap it if you want nobody elses business.. great video good job mate

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks mate! Maybe I was justifying the scrap out to myself!? 😜🤣

[@deankdx]

those leads would make amazing jumper leads(i have a set made from similar spec electric forklift charger leads) much better than you can buy these days for the money. I was wondering if the handpiece and lead would sell as a off road emergency welder (seen them hooked up to 2 car batteries before on the 4x4 off road TV shows.. and MacGuyver also ) Glad you mention the safety point of view, including the spiders, i've had redbacks in sewing machines that were stored in the shed (inside where the moving parts you'd oil) and that paper insulation might wire brush etc but what's in the dust that comes off? could be anything.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Thanks Dean. Yeah, the leads would probably make good jumpers.. but I think I have two or three good jumper lead sets already! There's always safety concerns with the older stuff - you never know what was used!

[@jimmit77]

I have the same welder here and was just wondering what I do with it. Old mate's got just the video for me.

[@jimmit77]

I might just light a good fire and try to burn of the cellulosic insulation. Hold your breath kids.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Haha, yeah that may be the answer Jim. It's illegal to burn normal PVC insulated copper wire, but this stuff is more a fabric! Let me know if it works 😊👍

[@jimmit77]

@@TheUltimateRecycler No fire necessary in then end. Transformer came apart farily easily for about 8 kg of copper windings.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

@@jimmit77 Very nice mate! Did the insulation come off the wire ok?

[@martincowie4520]

@11:21 you'll spot your wildlife front and centre! BTW I've always wondered what was in a 'welder' now I know! TY

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Ah yes! The little bugger was hiding from me, but he forgot about the camera! 🤣

[@heathernelson5426]

Another great video! Just curious, would it be worth it to cut out the front panel off and turn into a wall hanging? Seems like it would look good in a shop. Thanks!

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Yes, a great idea Heather! I'm disappointed I didn't think of that!!

[@troynixon209]

Nice one. I recently scrapped a newer Peerless welder and got around $40 of value.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Did that one have copper windings too Troy? I think Peerless were always a quality brand...

[@troynixon209]

@@TheUltimateRecycler yes cooper windings. Not as big a transformer as yours but everything in it was quality.

[@jay-ee2sq]

I just got a old miller dialarc 250, put online for 500, no bites yet. Thinking of scrapping , but really dont want to. Its just so heavy and in the way

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Scrapping is really the last resort Jay. Even asking $100 you would be much better off! Keep dropping the price to move it on..

[@CuSTACKS]

Plus the paper insulation could have smal amounts of asbestos fibers.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Indeed! You can never be sure with vintage stuff! Thanks for watching 😊

[@theaussienurseflipper.8113]

I hoping in a plane and one give U a hand Chris. I was hoping you gonna strip the copper and the Transformer, cheers Graham

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

I was initially planning to Graham, but decided it would be way too time consuming! My daughter managed to lift the transformer from the bench! 😊

[@theaussienurseflipper.8113]

@@TheUltimateRecycler girl power. Lol.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

@@theaussienurseflipper.8113 Yep - we call her "muscles"! lol

[@brucestuart466]

@ 7:53 there is what looks like a red-back under the plastic top. And I think I saw it again shortly after this.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Eek Bruce! Yep, I think you are right! They don't bother me - but I really don't want to put my fingers on one!

[@grahammcdonald2393]

5 or 6kg

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Is that a guess at the weight of copper in the transformer Graham? I still actually have that transformer - may have to scrap it out at some stage and see if you are close!

[@jimmit77]

@@TheUltimateRecycler Same make and model - 8.64 kg

[@luckygen1001]

It is a shame you pulled it apart because those transformers can make great power supplies.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

I have ample power supplies for my needs lucky! These old welders are pretty easy to find cheaply anyways. Thanks for watching! 😊

[@jrad5885]

Disappointing video.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Oh, how so?