Strip it or sell it whole?
Pounds of copper against hours of your work — the honest math on stripping motors and transformers. No prices, just weight.
Hours against copper.
Stripping a motor or transformer is simple math hiding inside hard work: every pound of copper you free costs you time, and time is the one cost nobody quotes you. A big slow-speed motor with a press and a cutoff wheel can be satisfying money. A pile of small sealed motors with hand tools can eat a weekend for a bucket of windings. The honest way to decide is weight math — how many pounds of copper, how many hours of yours — not vibes. Run the calculator below with your real numbers.
Sell it whole to me.
There is a third option besides stripping it yourself or selling it stripped: sell the motor or transformer whole, as it sits. Ironcrest buys electric motors and transformers whole — no stripping, no pressing stators, no weekend lost. You trade the stripping margin for zero hours and a fast payout. For a lot of sellers with a truckload of motors, that trade wins. Send a photo with the nameplate visible and get today's offer.
Run your numbers.
Move the sliders to match your motor or transformer. Everything here is in pounds and hours on purpose — no prices, because prices move daily and any number printed here would be wrong tomorrow. When you know your copper weight, call for today's offer on it.
Typical motors run 8–12%. Use 10% if unsure.
Pounds of whole motor you can break down per hour, with your tools.
Strip it: 11.4 lbs of copper for 12.5 hours of work.
Know your copper weight? Call 312-880-8174 for today's offer on it — or send photos.
Assumes about 5% copper loss in stripping (cutoffs, stuck windings). Selling whole means zero hours and the buyer grades the full unit. This is weight math, not a quote.
Questions, answered.
Should I strip my electric motor before selling it?
It depends on your time and tools. Stripping frees the copper windings but costs hours; selling whole costs zero hours. Run the weight math above with your real pace — then decide.
Why does this calculator not show prices?
Copper prices move every day, so any per-pound number printed here would be wrong tomorrow. This calculator works in pounds on purpose. When you know your copper weight, call 312-880-8174 for today's number on it.
Will you buy my motor without stripping?
Yes. Ironcrest buys electric motors and transformers whole. Send a photo with the nameplate visible for today's offer.
Send photos, estimated weight, material type, and location for today’s price. Email [email protected] or call 312-880-8174.
Send photos for today's price.
Clear photos and an honest description are all it takes. Based in Chicago, buying nationwide — send photos, get today's offer, and we will arrange pickup or shipping.