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fire medic 160
New Member
USA
16 Posts |
 Posted - 02/16/2010 : 19:51:41
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Close friend of mine junks for a living. But he does have a problem I hope someone can help on. He gets a fairly good amount of the pink coated phone wire (among other scrap)going through dumpsters. He has a rough time stripping it by burning due to the small gauge of the copper. Also lives in a "organic burn only" town that is strictly enforced. He is unable to afford a good wire stripper and currently uses a knife to strip other copper. He has taken the wire in before unstipped and got next to nothing for it.
He also lives in apt. and was wanting to hoard items. Told him to rent a storage unit but he says it won't pay for itself. Any other suggestions out there?
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thogey
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1617 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2010 : 20:40:30
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| Sell it on the arts and crafts supplies section on E-bay. |
Come to the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org
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bman
Penny Collector Member
USA
425 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 19:32:48
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| just wondering...how much does a good wire stripper cost? it seems like you would make your money back pretty quick using one. |
check out my coins for sale on ecrater : http://bmanscoinsforsale.ecrater.com/ |
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cptindy
Penny Hoarding Member
572 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 20:20:47
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Seems like a better understanding to scrap is needed here.
Two things in life solves problems: Time or Money ! If the time to remove the coating is extreme then invest in a tool. If buying a tool does not cover its cost then the product is not worth it. Sell it as Thogey suggests or at the yard and invest your time in something more profitable. Sounds like a lazy junker to me though! I suspect the wire is nearby the house and it seems like an easy score if only? Ha Ha good luck!
As far as renting a storage space! Sounds again to me like short sited thinking! I rent a 10 by 20 space and have it filled with bins to place all the metals. I have free electric for tools and a dumpster for the garbage as well as first choice to the items that are not needed by other renters. I also have contractors bring stuff to me! I break down everything.
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"It is the nature of the human species to reject what is true but unpleasant and to embrace what is obviously false but comforting"
" The average man doesn't want to be free. He wants to be safe."
H.L. Mencken
http://silver-news-today.com/ |
Edited by - cptindy on 02/17/2010 20:29:57 |
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thogey
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1617 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 20:32:31
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Wow,
Cptindy layin down the law. |
Come to the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org
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cptindy
Penny Hoarding Member
572 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 20:36:12
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Sometimes we can't see the forest for all those darn trees! I am not trying to be rude I come off strong sometimes but I try to call'em as I see'em!
Been doing this a long time! Life that is! haha! |
"It is the nature of the human species to reject what is true but unpleasant and to embrace what is obviously false but comforting"
" The average man doesn't want to be free. He wants to be safe."
H.L. Mencken
http://silver-news-today.com/ |
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thogey
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1617 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 20:49:04
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Dude, Ya don't come off rude to me, just sounds like common sense.
I've got about 500 lbs of compressors setting in my side yard, and have the tools and stuff to cut them up. The market will dictate when I get up off my lazy aXX and do it.
I get rid of all steel right away because it takes too much space and it's an eyesore.
But the motors, wire, radiators etc sit until the economic reality catapultes my butt into action. |
Come to the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org
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thogey
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1617 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 20:53:31
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| I believe I'm a lazy junker |
Come to the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org
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cptindy
Penny Hoarding Member
572 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 20:55:51
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Very Nice!
What a great way to invest! It don't get better than that! No bank could ever pay that kind of interest!
I'm Getting old and I prefer to work smart!
I follow the Time or Money rule faithfully!
By breaking things down the steel hauls increase!
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"It is the nature of the human species to reject what is true but unpleasant and to embrace what is obviously false but comforting"
" The average man doesn't want to be free. He wants to be safe."
H.L. Mencken
http://silver-news-today.com/ |
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MatLock
Penny Pincher Member
USA
122 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 23:40:09
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Is it even possible to strip phone wire? The strands are like hair.  If the scrap yard is good, the price for this wire (#3 ins.?) should be priced accordingly based on the copper percentage. I say he should save up the wire until he has a bucket full, bring it in with other items. Or invest in a wire chopper(the recyclers probably use wire chopper/separation for this wire) |
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slickeast
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2533 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2010 : 00:00:50
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You must be logged in to see this link.
I don't know if this would work. Phone wire is probably smaller than 24 AWG. |
You don't have to be the BEST you just have to be.......SLICK
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wolvesdad
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2010 : 01:19:22
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Not everyone can be a scraper or profitable dumpster diver(I don't encourage this act for risk of infection/disease), and it sounds to me like the friend doesn't have the stars in his favor for being one.
Just my 2 cents. |
"May your percentages ever increase!" |
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oldBPman
Penny Sorter Member
83 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2010 : 15:57:50
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| get a homeless guy or a disabled person who can set there all day and strip the wire for a percentage. |
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Kurr
1000+ Penny Miser Member
2906 Posts |
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thogey
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1617 Posts |
 Posted - 02/18/2010 : 16:21:13
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Which brings us back to.
quote:
Originally posted by thogey
Sell it on the arts and crafts supplies section on E-bay.
The 18ga copper is also commonly used in beading, Because you can bind decorative stones and so forth to make pendants.
A little package goes for about 7 bucks in an artsy fartsy craft store.
I was thinking the wire with a pink insulation may bring a premium.
It' amazing what craft people will buy. I once got 15 bucks for an ratty old torn fur(mink) coat on e-bay in the craft supply section. |
Come to the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org
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silversaddle1
Penny Pincher Member
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2010 : 18:43:32
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| If we are talking about the type of phone wire that has a pink jacket and 20 or so pairs in it then all he has to do is remove the pink jacket and then take the wire in to the yard and sell it that way. He should get paid on a percentage grade for the copper. Tell him to first take a sample to a few yards and ask them what his options are. That would be his best bet. And the more you have, the better the price, with any scrap metal. I just sold two gaylords full of computer wire. That was over 2300 pounds. The yard paid me 70% of #2 copper price, or $1.70 a pound. That goes to show the advantage of stockpiling as much as you can before you sell. Put it under you bed, in a closet, a corner of the garage. If you don't need the cash, let it pile up if you have the room. If not, go to the yard that quotes you the best price. Ask around, call more than one. Got a larger city nearby, call them to see what they are paying. Get to know the scale guys. Take candy bars with you to give out. A guy that knows you and likes you will always pay you more than he would a stranger. I have dealt with scrap buyers on a full time basis for 20 years now. You learn a few things. |
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fire medic 160
New Member
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - 02/21/2010 : 21:08:25
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| Thanks e'one for the replies. Gonna print this off and give it to him. Maybe he'll listen to some others since he sure don't listen to me on anything when I try to put some sense in his head. |
Later |
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