With copper prices going through the roof, (they've more than doubled in the past year), I may have discovered probably the easiest and quickest way to salvage all the bare wire from old mini light sets that would normally just end up in the trash.  It's all 20 gauge wire, which makes it's uses very limited, but since my display is 100% LED it works for me.

Ok, Ok... So the rise in copper prices isn't the real reason I've been stripping the old mini sets before they hit the landfill.  I just hate throwing anything in the dumpster that I just may need someday, (can you say pack-rat?),. 

So, it may take me more time to disassemble something for parts than just going out and buying it, but bottom line....

Every dollar I save salvaging something I may need, is a dollar in my pocket that I can spend on more LED lights!

Supplies

Old Mini light strings

Wire Cutter

Cordless Drill

Ladder

Instructions

Cut off the plugs and save them.  I used every single female plug I had been saving for a couple of years for the plugs I needed for the extra 200+ channels I added in 2006.  Also, if you're going to be cutting lots of wires, I recommend you buy one of the wire cutters like the one in the above picture.  Not only are they great for cutting smaller gauge wire, but they are perfect for cutting the bazillion cable ties we all tend to use.

Find the center of the light string.  Just look for two sockets somewhere near the center of the string that have 3 wires attached to the socket.

Close-up view of 3 wire socket.

Hook the center portion of the light string around the locking struts of a ladder.  Or you could also hook them over the top of a dog eared fence.  Just make sure that the string can't turn while you're un-twisting it.

Cut the 3 wire socket off one of the lose ends of the string.  Make sure you cut straight across the wires, as it makes it easier to insert the cut end into the drill.

Insert the end you just cut off into the business end of a cordless drill and clamp the chuck down tightly on the wires.

Determine which way the light string is twisted.  I'm directionally challenged, so I simply hold the string a few inches away from the drill, turn it on slowly, and watch whether the wires are getting tighter or looser.  Once you've determined the drill is going in the right direction to untwist the strand, pull the strand fairly taunt and drill away!

It doesn't take a whole lot of time for the strand to become untwisted, you can check how well it's going by putting the drill down on the ground making sure you keep a little tension on the strand.

Once you've untwisted the strand enough to easily separate the strand, cut the wires at the 3 wire socket that's hooked to the ladder.  Simply follow the same steps for the other side of the strand and...

Toss all those useless sockets in the trash and save all that wire for other projects!

Remember this is my site and my opinions, I'm not an expert at anything, if you have questions or constructive comments e-mail me, and finally, please don't post any of this information on the TCL site or boards.  Thanks!