Scrapping electric motors?

I've always wondered if you get more if you separate out the copper when scrapping an electric motor. If so, is it worth the effort?

The recycling places around here pay per electric motor, instead of just scrap weight. It doesn't seem to be worth trying to take it apart for the copper, best I can tell.

I just had to change out the motor on my air compressor. 5 hp 220V motor. The scrap place I usually go to has a special price for electric motors. More then for steel and less then for copper. I looked at my motor and the parts are welded together making it very labor intensive to try to separate the copper from the steel parts.

The question is: What is your time worth?

I scrapped about a 1HP electric motor. Maybe 2 HP. Spa pump. I had it stripped down to the coils. The scrap yard gave me a price on it for something like "cleaned electric motor" or "stripped electric motor" or something that was different than just "plain electric motor." I think I got close to the price of what copper would be. You might call up the yard you are going to bring it to and ask. Also, I cleaned out the garage a few weeks ago and brought some steel, batteries and a radiator to another yard (last one moved or consolidated.) I got a dollar a pound for the totally scrap and friable AE92 radiator. They called it "dirty brass radiator."

Yes you get more but not worth the trouble or time wasted. BTDT on large open air transformers.