Harvest Copper From Computers (EMI Metal Extraction) 

Lol! That is great! Ya, I was a scout leader different times over the past 20 years since earning my Eagle Scout rank. Very nice to be out in the wild ... even if it is with the unpredictably rambunctious creatures we call teenagers ... :) And Copper is fun too!

Hey thanks! I have been looking to get a Mill and Table set. What size do you use? And do you find it was worth the investment? Last; do you mind linking a reply with what brand / model you went with? Best of luck.

It is true that we waste so much in landfill, or dump waste on the side of the road. I don't doubt the recovery rate is lower then it should be. I have been wanting to scale up, but I do find that people are not always willing to partner with me for what ever reason. I find I have to beg companies to not throw away computers or equipment. Some don't want to change their process model of destruction or disposal and I don't always know the reason why. Where I live, there are no major laws requiring smaller companies to recycle. It is what it is. I want to scale up, and I am looking forward to that day :) Thanks for watching. Thanks also for commenting. Stay safe. Molten metal has a mind to get angry.

I have found that if you approach the companies (have to always go in person) and offer a solution or a bin specific for computer parts that you pick up then they generally are happier because there is nothing extra for them to take on. Happy Scrapping!@@badideametals

I had fun :) ... the other video where I swing a hammer is also pretty cool (Fast Copper Recovery: AC Step Down Transformers)

All true. If my time is considered, I am working for so little. But I classify what I do as a "hobby" so I can sleep at night and not worry that I am wasting my time. I do get decent payouts in bulk. I just keep bins on the back of a trailer, and when they are full, I go and sell them.

@@badideametals my buddy owns a recycling center. He does good. But he also hustles his ass off. After the overhead expenses and time he does ok. But even with a large center, it’s not a great return, but as a hobby I could see it. In fact, that is how he started. Kinda like the precious metals collector who ends up with a coin shop. Starts as a hobby and grows.

That is so true :) ... It will add up over time. Not all that tape seems to have copper, so I just get lazy when I am moving fast. But it would be a small increase if I take the time to do it.

Hey! Thanks!! I do take requests... I know many tear downs start to all look the same after a while, but I have a large collection of machines waiting to be dismantled... I am happy to take requests :)

@@badideametals Thanks..I used to work at Jacks recycling in Jax. Florida..with Jack Jones...we were doing similiar work an he had a contract in China ..sending computer components in containers weekly back in the 90's

Good thought! I saved all the small parts and I can do that. I can do a short follow up on that. I just don’t know what dangerous chemicals are put in most computers. The circuit boards are toxic, so I don’t know yet what is good to throw in the heat. But still, I can look up what these bits are and if I can cook them :)

Yes chemicals, I never thought of that. I enjoy the channel mate. Keep up the good work 🤙🇦🇺

@@badideametals I’d be interested in what can and can’t be burnt from a PCB. I have a stock pile that’s getting pretty big that I’m researching how to best deal with everything on the circuit board

@Karl, PCBs are made using acids and chemicals that burn and etch pits and lanes into the the boards (not to mention that the boards themselves are made of some pretty nasty stuff when melted and burned). So, my feeling is, unless it is copper that can be pulled free, or aluminum that is also free such as a heat sink, then I leave it alone for direct melting. I don't want to risk breathing in the burned smoke from something that would do lasting damage. To answer the question more directly, I do allow a little solder to creep in, but I try to keep my copper to EMIs, Transformer coils, Wires, Copper heat sink parts, Aluminum heat sink parts, Copper fan and motor coils ... So far, out of a computer, that is what I melt... There is copper in the most PCBs, but it is not always easy to tear out. There are also other copper components, but the low yield of copper may not be worth the effort and the risk of toxic exposure. That said, there are acidic means to pull copper out of computers such as Copper Chloride can leech copper into solution which can be cemented out chemically as well as by electrolysis. I don't do this currently, but I have been thinking about getting a variable voltage setup where I can do my own electrolytic extractions ... but for now, I don't make efforts to reclaim copper in the PCB itself.

@@badideametals Thank you for the detailed response. What about the steel computer chassis? Any idea if those can be melted or what chemicals are on them?