How to Get Copper Out of an Old Welding Machine

Attach a large screwdriver to one end of the wooden dowel using duct tape. Tape the plastic insulated handle to the dowel end but allow the metal portion of the screwdriver to extend outward away from the tip of the dowel.

Remove all screws and bolts securing the outer cabinet to the welder unit using the appropriately-sized screwdrivers and socket wrenches. Remove as many as necessary to remove all outer panels of the external case of the welder, allowing the internal frame and components to be exposed. Do not allow hands to make contact with any of the inner components of the welder at this point.

Investigate the area where the power cord enters the power supply unit of the welder, and visually search for any large capacitors which the welder may contain. Such capacitors appear similar in shape to soda cans, only a bit taller, and will always have two terminals on the top where large wires are connected.

Discharge all capacitors in the welder unit with the screwdriver taped to the end of the dowel. To do so, hold on to the dowel and extend it into the welder near the capacitors. Short-circuit the two top terminals of each capacitor together by touching the metal portion of the screwdriver across both terminals. If the capacitors have an electric charge stored in them, sparks and a loud popping noise will occur as the two terminals are shorted. Once the sparks and noises stop, the capacitor will have been sufficiently discharged for safe handling of the welder unit.

Disconnect the wires from the tops of the capacitors as a further safety measure, using appropriately-sized screwdrivers or socket wrenches. Though the voltage levels should now be extremely low, if not completely non-existent, even a small voltage flowing into a copper coil will be amplified. Disconnecting the capacitors gives you peace of mind when reclaiming copper from the coils.

Remove the coil packs, or transformers, from the inside of the welder and use wire cutters to remove any plastic wrapping which may exist on the transformers. Once the copper wire on a transformer is exposed, use the wire cutters to cut one wire near one of the edges of the transformer coil. Lift one end of the cut wire and begin unwinding the copper wire from the transformer.

For easier handling of the copper wire, unwind it from the transformer onto one end of the wooden dowel used to discharge the capacitors. This will allow the coil to be spooled for easy storage and transportation.