Use Your Resources

On this page you will find a couple of my videos showing what can be done with resources alone.

For example, I built a complete working electric motorcycle that I call VoltZilla.

The entire project  was done with resources. After scraping the fork truck for the electrical parts, I had enough money to buy the parts I needed to build an electric motorcycle.  I acutely came out ahead with money.  You can see VoltZilla on my project pages.

On the bottom of this page are some of the videos that I have made to show others  how they can find resources all around them.

For example, did you know that the old CRT TV’s and computer monitors people are throwing out every day have a lot of good magnet wire in them? There is good electronics that can bu used as well.

In fact all the coils I have built on my coil testing page are from recycled magnet wire. I did not spend any money of any of those projects. Actually almost all my projects you see on my project pages I did not spend any money on. It's all from recycled parts!

You may ask yourself, how much time did to take to get all of those recycled parts? The answer is a lot! But the point is that you don't need money to start with your own testing on these projects! Sure, there will be times where you will need to order parts, but if you can recycle parts for scrap, then you have money to order parts!

I’m at the point now where I do need your donations in order to further this research! But I’m still using my resources wisely and only buying the things I can not salvage from other places. So if you can, go donate by clicking the donate button below. You can also donate parts or martial to help. view the parts list for items needed.  If you can't do either or, please come over to the forums and give your input on these projects!!! WE THE PEOPLE as a WHOLE working TOGETHER is the only way this is going to get done! So please contribute where you can!

 

If you have videos of ways to use your resources, please email me the link here, rwg42985@aol.com

If it fits i will add the video here on this page.
Thanks and enjoy the videos below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO3XOfAGHQI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrsoCKzkQaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPU4xaVi_Uo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa-Dd5IWeHs

below is the last video in the series "Heavy Trash Day Experiment", see all 5 days on my you tube channel, rwg42985  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SU_PlXBrUw

Hey. What do you use to clean the glue off the recycled magnet wire?
I saw every video you have but I dont remember which one it was you mentioned your technique in. Can you tell us what you use or whatever else we can use to get the glue off? Thanks :-)

Quote from satorizero on June 8th, 2011, 11:06 AM

Hey. What do you use to clean the glue off the recycled magnet wire?
I saw every video you have but I dont remember which one it was you mentioned your technique in. Can you tell us what you use or whatever else we can use to get the glue off? Thanks :-)

Anny kind of solvent... then either let it set in a Bucket or wipe it down really good, by wiping it down you can straighten it and it will be easier to Untangle...

any kind of paint stripper solvent should work just fine!

thanks and happy recycling!

~Russ

Quote from Rwg42985 on June 8th, 2011, 04:55 PM

Quote from satorizero on June 8th, 2011, 11:06 AM

Hey. What do you use to clean the glue off the recycled magnet wire?
I saw every video you have but I dont remember which one it was you mentioned your technique in. Can you tell us what you use or whatever else we can use to get the glue off? Thanks :-)

Anny kind of solvent... then either let it set in a Bucket or wipe it down really good, by wiping it down you can straighten it and it will be easier to Untangle...

any kind of paint stripper solvent should work just fine!

thanks and happy recycling!

~Russ

Hey Russ buddy. I was looking up some stuff cuz I wanted to make sure I didnt blindly go looking for solvent and mess things up. So I discovered a couple things:

Magnet wire (or sometimes "enameled wire") has insulation consisting of some of the following components: Polyvinyl formal (Formvar), polyurethane, polyamide, polyester, polyester - polyimide, polyamide - polimide (amide - imide), or polyimide.

And I was wondering if certain solvents will eat away at the insulation. So, I found this simple diagram on Home Depot's website:

Product to Be Thinned    *Solvents to Use

Adhesives    
    * Acetone
    * MEK

Epoxies    
    * Xylene
    * MEK

Fiberglass resins    
    * Acetone
    * MEK

Lacquer    
    * Lacquer thinner (comprised of acetone, toluene and methanol)

Oil-based paint    
    * Mineral spirits
    * Turpentine

Shellac    
    * Denatured alcohol

Varnish    
    * Mineral spirits
    * Turpentine

So since im not really sure which ones wont eat away at the insulation, I will ask them and if they dont know then Ill try Turpentine.

Quote from satorizero on June 8th, 2011, 08:10 PM

Quote from Rwg42985 on June 8th, 2011, 04:55 PM

Quote from satorizero on June 8th, 2011, 11:06 AM

Hey. What do you use to clean the glue off the recycled magnet wire?
I saw every video you have but I dont remember which one it was you mentioned your technique in. Can you tell us what you use or whatever else we can use to get the glue off? Thanks :-)

Anny kind of solvent... then either let it set in a Bucket or wipe it down really good, by wiping it down you can straighten it and it will be easier to Untangle...

any kind of paint stripper solvent should work just fine!

thanks and happy recycling!

~Russ

Hey Russ buddy. I was looking up some stuff cuz I wanted to make sure I didnt blindly go looking for solvent and mess things up. So I discovered a couple things:

Magnet wire (or sometimes "enameled wire") has insulation consisting of some of the following components: Polyvinyl formal (Formvar), polyurethane, polyamide, polyester, polyester - polyimide, polyamide - polimide (amide - imide), or polyimide.

And I was wondering if certain solvents will eat away at the insulation. So, I found this simple diagram on Home Depot's website:

Product to Be Thinned    *Solvents to Use

Adhesives    
    * Acetone
    * MEK

Epoxies    
    * Xylene
    * MEK

Fiberglass resins    
    * Acetone
    * MEK

Lacquer    
    * Lacquer thinner (comprised of acetone, toluene and methanol)

Oil-based paint    
    * Mineral spirits
    * Turpentine

Shellac    
    * Denatured alcohol

Varnish    
    * Mineral spirits
    * Turpentine

So since im not really sure which ones wont eat away at the insulation, I will ask them and if they dont know then Ill try Turpentine.

I have used Denatured alcohol, Acetone, parts cleaner ( I don't know what it's maid out of...) and Xylene, haven't had a problm.. Also, it seems thy I can't find anything that was able to eat the coating. So I think its a safe bet any of the above will will work!

None the less good research! Sorry for the bad response... Lol

~Russ

Its cool man, no bad responses. Thank you :-) I will try all that youve said.

Quote from Rwg42985 on June 8th, 2011, 08:21 PM

I have used Denatured alcohol, Acetone, parts cleaner ( I don't know what it's maid out of...) and Xylene, haven't had a problm.. Also, it seems thy I can't find anything that was able to eat the coating. So I think its a safe bet any of the above will will work!

None the less good research! Sorry for the bad response... Lol

~Russ

I thought I read somewhere that paint thinner would strip the ends of magnet wire easily.  I was hoping to try that on my little 18 point coils.  I hope it doessss cause i don't feel like scraping it all off lol.  

Nate

@ Russ, Everyone
2 Sites say its shellac:
http://www.electro-tech-online.com/general-electronics-chat/1929-enamel-coated-magnet-wire-hook-up-wire.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_7837578_magnet-wire-out-transformers.html

So, denatured alcohol it is! (http://www.homedepot.com/buy/paint/cleaners-thinners-removers/klean-strip/slx-denatured-alcohol-gallon-54699.html)

@ Nate
You want it all off? Or just the tips? (dumb questiion i know) But I was gonna say that I read that some types of magnet wire can just have solder applies to the ends and the insulation acts like a flux, therefore no need to scrape it off...

Quote from satorizero on June 8th, 2011, 08:47 PM

@ Russ, Everyone
2 Sites say its shellac:
http://www.electro-tech-online.com/general-electronics-chat/1929-enamel-coated-magnet-wire-hook-up-wire.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_7837578_magnet-wire-out-transformers.html

So, denatured alcohol it is! (http://www.homedepot.com/buy/paint/cleaners-thinners-removers/klean-strip/slx-denatured-alcohol-gallon-54699.html)

@ Nate
You want it all off? Or just the tips? (dumb questiion i know) But I was gonna say that I read that some types of magnet wire can just have solder applies to the ends and the insulation acts like a flux, therefore no need to scrape it off...

Yeah I want it off to solder the ends.  I haven't tried to solder it through the insulation.  I'll see if that works, but I've tried burning it off and it leaves a nasty mess.

Nate

Update on my magnet wire recycling:

I went to Home Depot, told the guys whats up and they suggested Lacquer Thinner, which contains Acetone, Toluene and Tethanol and a couple others...
Left it over night and didnt seem to work at all.... and 80% of it evaporated.

So, threw everything away and am using my wire I got from Frys :-)

Quote from satorizero on June 8th, 2011, 08:47 PM

@ Russ, Everyone
2 Sites say its shellac:
http://www.electro-tech-online.com/general-electronics-chat/1929-enamel-coated-magnet-wire-hook-up-wire.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_7837578_magnet-wire-out-transformers.html

So, denatured alcohol it is! (http://www.homedepot.com/buy/paint/cleaners-thinners-removers/klean-strip/slx-denatured-alcohol-gallon-54699.html)

@ Nate
You want it all off? Or just the tips? (dumb questiion i know) But I was gonna say that I read that some types of magnet wire can just have solder applies to the ends and the insulation acts like a flux, therefore no need to scrape it off...

Sounds good!

Nate! I use a really hot solidering iron..

If it's under number 22 like 22 or smaller wire this works well... Just use slot if solider.

~Russ

I took apart one of my old worn out alternators this weekend. :cool: I got the field wire out of the armature, that was easier said than done. lol  The 3 phase coils look like they are going to be almost impossible to get out.  The paper bits are so baked they just crumble.  It was still worth getting i think over 1 pound of heavy gauge wire from the field coil. :) I'll save the 3 phase coils for a day with more patience!    My dad has a pile of motors taken apart that he wants the wire removed from so he can scrap the steel.  Looks like I will have lots of practice.  

I'm gathering parts for my own wire straightener too. :P

Quote from firepinto on June 19th, 2011, 09:01 PM

I took apart one of my old worn out alternators this weekend. :cool: I got the field wire out of the armature, that was easier said than done. lol  The 3 phase coils look like they are going to be almost impossible to get out.  The paper bits are so baked they just crumble.  It was still worth getting i think over 1 pound of heavy gauge wire from the field coil. :) I'll save the 3 phase coils for a day with more patience!    My dad has a pile of motors taken apart that he wants the wire removed from so he can scrap the steel.  Looks like I will have lots of practice.  

I'm gathering parts for my own wire straightener too. :P

Freekin sweet man! ~Russ

I uploaded a video of my wire straightener:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzDlEcEf86M

It is made of mostly junk parts, except for the line counter and the sliding door pulleys.
Enjoy!

Nate

Quote from firepinto on July 3rd, 2011, 10:23 AM

I uploaded a video of my wire straightener:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzDlEcEf86M

It is made of mostly junk parts, except for the line counter and the sliding door pulleys.
Enjoy!

Nate

Looks good nate!

Also, that bras may ware and start to cut in to your insulation... Use a hardend bolt or somthing.

I Used a sholder bolt. ( cople of them)

It won't get all the old coating off the wire, but most of it.

Also the thicker the wire the harder it is to use the jig...

It looks good! I just ran some 6000 ft of number 35 wire and it took a while at high speed... So your chicken would be burnt as well as your patience... Lol but lovin the idea!

The line counter is perfect! I need to het one of those! Also, do they make them that count past 1000?

Good stuff! Thank you!

~Russ

Quote from Rwg42985 on July 3rd, 2011, 11:30 AM

Quote from firepinto on July 3rd, 2011, 10:23 AM

I uploaded a video of my wire straightener:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzDlEcEf86M

It is made of mostly junk parts, except for the line counter and the sliding door pulleys.
Enjoy!

Nate

Looks good nate!

Also, that bras may ware and start to cut in to your insulation... Use a hardend bolt or somthing.

I Used a sholder bolt. ( cople of them)

It won't get all the old coating off the wire, but most of it.

Also the thicker the wire the harder it is to use the jig...

It looks good! I just ran some 6000 ft of number 35 wire and it took a while at high speed... So your chicken would be burnt as well as your patience... Lol but lovin the idea!

The line counter is perfect! I need to het one of those! Also, do they make them that count past 1000?

Good stuff! Thank you!

~Russ

Hey Russ,

Yeah I'm on the look out for some hard bolts in my junk. lol  The brass was just laying there so I through it in.  I have some VW diesel head bolts but they are HUGE.  lol The rotisserie motor might not work out but I had to try it.  It might get replaced with some cheap 12 volt screw gun that I can hack.  I also want to try making a motorized variable speed wire guide.  It would move back and forth guiding the wire on the spool so that I can set it and walk away till its done winding.  Some threaded rod, adjustable limit switches and a DPDT relay for polarity reversing and it should work great.

I did some searching for line counters, but nothing in feet past 999.  I did find one that counts in yards that goes to 999 though:

http://www.kristalfishing.it/Lingua%20ingelse/inglese/prova%20indice/index.html

Nate

Quote from firepinto on July 3rd, 2011, 04:18 PM

Quote from Rwg42985 on July 3rd, 2011, 11:30 AM

Quote from firepinto on July 3rd, 2011, 10:23 AM

I uploaded a video of my wire straightener:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzDlEcEf86M

It is made of mostly junk parts, except for the line counter and the sliding door pulleys.
Enjoy!

Nate

Looks good nate!

Also, that bras may ware and start to cut in to your insulation... Use a hardend bolt or somthing.

I Used a sholder bolt. ( cople of them)

It won't get all the old coating off the wire, but most of it.

Also the thicker the wire the harder it is to use the jig...

It looks good! I just ran some 6000 ft of number 35 wire and it took a while at high speed... So your chicken would be burnt as well as your patience... Lol but lovin the idea!

The line counter is perfect! I need to het one of those! Also, do they make them that count past 1000?

Good stuff! Thank you!

~Russ

Hey Russ,

Yeah I'm on the look out for some hard bolts in my junk. lol  The brass was just laying there so I through it in.  I have some VW diesel head bolts but they are HUGE.  lol The rotisserie motor might not work out but I had to try it.  It might get replaced with some cheap 12 volt screw gun that I can hack.  I also want to try making a motorized variable speed wire guide.  It would move back and forth guiding the wire on the spool so that I can set it and walk away till its done winding.  Some threaded rod, adjustable limit switches and a DPDT relay for polarity reversing and it should work great.

I did some searching for line counters, but nothing in feet past 999.  I did find one that counts in yards that goes to 999 though:

http://www.kristalfishing.it/Lingua%20ingelse/inglese/prova%20indice/index.html

Nate

nate, i have thought of the wire guide auto wrapper also and what i found out was every time you wrap a deferent  size wire you got to make a new guide... unless you can make a Gage guide then your set!

any way it looks grate!

i know your a grate thinker and will find out something that will work grate!

~Russ

Converting Computer ATX Power Supply to Lab Bench Power Supply

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2oSFpKh_Uw&NR=1

Heavy Trash Day

Coming to a Western U.S. beach near you:

Quote from Matt Watts on November 6th, 2013, 05:29 PM

Heavy Trash Day

Coming to a Western U.S. beach near you:

Good one, wonder what we can find?:cool::D:P