Stripping wire is a key part of scrap metal recycling—but if you’re not sorting and preparing it correctly, you could be leaving serious money on the table. Scrap yards don’t just weigh your copper—they grade it based on cleanliness, consistency, and type. The better you prep your load, the more you’ll get paid.
Here’s how to properly sort and prepare your scrap wire to get the best return at the yard.
Understand the Main Copper Wire Grades
Before you sort anything, it’s important to understand how scrap yards classify copper wire. The cleaner and more uniform your copper, the higher the grade—and the higher the payout.
- Bare Bright Copper: This is the top-paying grade. It must be shiny, uncoated, and free from any insulation or tarnish.
- #1 Copper Wire: Clean, uncoated copper wire that may have light tarnish but no insulation, solder, or attachments.
- #2 Copper Wire: Lower-quality copper that may be painted, oxidized, tinned, or soldered. Still valuable, but worth less than #1.
- Insulated Copper Wire: Wire with plastic insulation intact. Price depends on copper content and ease of stripping.
Knowing which wires fall into which categories is essential for maximizing value.
Step 1: Strip What’s Worth Stripping
Not all insulated wire is worth the effort to strip. Thick single-strand wire like Romex and THHN often yields enough clean copper to justify the time or tool use. Fine, low-copper-content wires may be better sold as-is, unless you’re using an efficient machine.
Use a wire stripping machine that matches your volume and wire types. A tool like the StripMeister E250 or E1000 allows you to quickly process high-value wire into #1 or Bare Bright copper with minimal waste.
Step 2: Sort by Grade
After stripping, divide your wire by grade. Do not mix different copper types together, or you risk the entire load being downgraded to the lowest common grade.
Use separate bins or bags for:
- Bare Bright
- #1 Copper
- #2 Copper
- Insulated wire
Label each clearly, and keep your highest-value copper clean and untangled to make it easier for scrap yard workers to assess.
Step 3: Remove Contaminants
Copper with brass ends, steel connectors, or even traces of insulation can lower your payout. Take the time to cut off fittings, plastic zip ties, or soldered joints. Clean copper equals better pricing—every time.
Step 4: Keep Wire Dry and Organized
Moisture can lead to corrosion, and scrap yards may penalize wet loads. Store your wire in dry, covered areas and transport it in sealed bins if possible. Organizing your wire ahead of time not only earns you more—it also helps get in and out of the yard faster.
Step 5: Know What Your Yard Pays For
Prices and grading standards vary by scrap yard. Some pay more for fully stripped wire, others offer better rates for consistent sorting. Call ahead to confirm what your yard accepts, what they pay for each grade, and whether they require photo ID or business licenses for large loads.
Final Tips to Maximize Your Return
- Strip heavy-gauge wire to upgrade to Bare Bright or #1
- Always separate by type—never mix wire grades
- Use a scale to weigh each category and track your yield
- Log your prices and payouts over time to know when to sell
FAQs
Should I strip all insulated wire?
Not always. Focus on high-yield, easy-to-strip wire. Thin or mixed wire types may not be worth the time unless you’re using a high-speed electric stripper.
Do scrap yards pay more for sorted wire?
Yes. Consistently sorted and cleaned wire is easier to process and often qualifies for higher-grade payouts.
Can I bring in mixed copper grades?
You can—but expect the entire load to be priced at the lowest grade. Separate wire types in clearly marked containers.
What’s the best way to store stripped wire?
Keep it dry, clean, and coiled or bundled to prevent tangling. Use bins or bags to organize by grade.
Better Prep = Better Pay
The effort you put into prepping your scrap wire directly impacts your bottom line. With the right wire stripper and smart sorting practices, you’ll earn more for every pound you process.
StripMeister wire stripping machines are designed to help scrappers turn insulated wire into clean, high-grade copper—safely and efficiently. If you’re serious about increasing your scrap profits, it starts with how you sort and prepare. Clean wire, sorted right, is money well-earned.