Dumpster Diving Finds

[freudianfloyd]

I have been known to dig through the trash on several occasions. I know I'm not alone in this. A few days ago I found a Senco M3 stapler in a dumpster. Took it home and hooked air to it. It has a slight air leak but works fine. $9 o-ring kit and it works good as new.

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I am sure I will have more, but look forward to seeing what others have pulled out of the trash. So let's see whatcha got.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I've found scrap pieces of I-beam before, some I've used, some I still have.

Couldn't beat the price!

 

[ADSR]

Nice find!

 

[freudianfloyd]

I've found scrap pieces of I-beam before, some I've used, some I still have.

Couldn't beat the price!

Can't beat that.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Nice find!

Thanks. I still cant figure out why they threw it out.

 

[MFolks]

It's sad, but realize we are a "Throw Away Society",rather than repair(and most people have neither the tools,nor time to fix the broken tools,appliances,and things that break anymore).

 

[drink]

Some people don't want to have to make a trip to a repair center, pay the cost to repair what might be a tool that is worn out, make the trip to pick it up after the repairs are made, and stop production while doing these things. A new tool can be bought and be back at work quicker.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I enjoy dumpster diving, You never know what you will find.

 

[PugetDude]

I have been known to dig through the trash on several occasions. I know I'm not alone in this. A few days ago I found a Senco M3 stapler in a dumpster. Took it home and hooked air to it. It has a slight air leak but works fine. $9 o-ring kit and it works good as new.

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I am sure I will have more, but look forward to seeing what others have pulled out of the trash. So let's see whatcha got.

If that Senco stapler gets you excited, I've got an a Senco SN-325+ Framing Nailer in great condition I'll throw in a dumpster for you to find...

 

[G_P]

Driving with the GF and we spotted a dumpster full of 4 bulb drop ceiling light fixtures. Grabbed 4 intact fixtures for use in her barn and about 40+ bulbs.

 

[53chevy5]

9 inch Milwaukee hand grinder at a scrap yard, put new cord on it and still using it 5 yrs later. Also picked up a bucket of those antique wrenches with all the curves and what not. Kinda wish I would have left them there cause i've been moving them around in the shop ever since and can't bring myself to dump them again.

 

[CNGsaves]

Nice find OP !! That's same Senco staple gun that my brother who is carpenter has roofed countless houses. You'll probably never need another stapler in your lifetime.

For me, noticed a dumpster outside a flooring company that was overflowing. Stopped and there were "sample boards" with all different types of wood flooring. They were about 30" x 36" size and will work fine for me as "checkerboard" flooring in my mesh trailer that has plywood rotting out. I'll have NICEST flooring of any mesh trailer when I'm done !!

Also, there were sample boards with carpet swatches and other side has 20" x 24" nice carpet piece on each that will work perfect for entrance rugs to house. When I'm done taking off carpet pieces, the boards will made sturdy flooring for mesh trailer as well.

 

[Al Bundy]

One time I got a ham sandwich with only a couple of bites out of it.

 

[a52-830]

One time I got a ham sandwich with only a couple of bites out of it.

damn, i was wondering what happened to that sandwich . . . .

 

[Turducken]

Milwaukee hand held band saw. Works great! I just had to hammer the kink out of the blade.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Milwaukee hand held band saw. Works great! I just had to hammer the kink out of the blade.

Now that would be a nice find. You ****.

 

[Kaervak]

It's sad, but realize we are a "Throw Away Society",rather than repair(and most people have neither the tools,nor time to fix the broken tools,appliances,and things that break anymore).

That's how I got my pressure washer. Listed on craigslist as having a broken fuel line and an oil leak. The broken fuel line was a disconnected soap supply line and the oil leak was from it being filled to twice capacity. Corrected both things, replaced the oil soaked air filter and replaced the spray nozzles and a perfectly working pressure washer for $20. I love being able to fix things.

 

[Squddle]

...this is what I found. Aside from the weird smell, things seem to still work good.

 

[Rileysan]

Yesterday I came across a dumpster full of shale-like stone brocks at an historic building being remodeled in my town. I spoke with the contractor and he gave me permission to take what I wanted. About 1 ton later, I'm still not done!

Brian

 

[7th Kahuna]

Also picked up a bucket of those antique wrenches with all the curves and what not. Kinda wish I would have left them there cause i've been moving them around in the shop ever since and can't bring myself to dump them again.

That is what I love about Habitat for Humanity Restore, I can donate items I can't bring myself to throw away. I haven't pulled a lot out of dumpsters but recently grabbed 100 plus feet of 12ga 3 wire electric cord material in near new condition. Picked up the ends from Restore for a couple dollars. Made a nice 20 amp extension cord.

Years ago my grandfather carted home a whole pile of dumped Plvmb tool boards. We ripped all the hooks out of them and cut them up for all manner of projects. The thought just kills me today.

It's sad, but realize we are a "Throw Away Society",rather than repair(and most people have neither the tools,nor time to fix the broken tools,appliances,and things that break anymore).

I recently watched a program about East Germany. One of the things they mentioned was that due to raw materials shortages, many products were required by the government to last at least 25 years. After the wall fell, some of those companies tried to make it in the west and were shut out entirely. Can you imagine if we even tried to pass a law that required items like tools, leather goods, and appliances to last at least 5 years?

...this is what I found. Aside from the weird smell, things seem to still work good.

Not even going to ask . . .

 

[oldldh]

...this is what I found. Aside from the weird smell, things seem to still work good.

OK...

You win!!!

Even if the smell is strange...

 

[Hephaestus29]

...this is what I found. Aside from the weird smell, things seem to still work good.

A plastic _ _ _ _ doll ? Still works good huh ? Lol

 

[foghorn1966]

Me, an Enerpac P-50 hydraulic pump, just needed oil & bleed. Lately enough 3" channel to fab 11 cross members for a trailer project. Pieces needed 7 to 11 inches added to be the right length.

G_P, check those fixtures, years ago my dad & myself found the same score. The ballasts were 347 volt & we could get new fixtures for the same cost as new 120 volt ballasts.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Some of my favorite memories were dumpster diving.

 

[Jay H 237]

G_P, check those fixtures, years ago my dad & myself found the same score. The ballasts were 347 volt & we could get new fixtures for the same cost as new 120 volt ballasts.

I think you mean 277v. One leg of 480 3 ph.

 

[foghorn1966]

I think you mean 277v. One leg of 480 3 ph.

Good call, but 3-Phase, 4-Wire 600Y/347 V is a fairly common commercial service here in parts of Canada. Thats what these fixtures were. Even stranger they were 3 tube fixtures installed in pairs, two ballasts in one, single ballast in the other.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Some time ago, I was at a customer, I rescued a large plastic framing square and Porter Cable 1001 router base. I got it from the maintenance man before he got to the dumpster. Does this count?

The router base had a broken plastic sub base (easy fix)

The square had a little adhesive on it. Cleaned up easy.

 

[bmxr4life87]

I've found all sorts of things around these parts in dumpsters. The local fastenal was real good about throwing out boxes of hardware with some good consumables mixed in from time to time. I scored some serious jackpots out of that deal. Used tool store has also been known to have the occasional treasure in its dumpster. One time the pet store was changing major brands of dog food and i guess they hadnt planned on all the old stock so it was in the dumpster. I fed my mastiff for 6 months on that food plus everyone i know with dogs got atleast a free months worth from me too.

 

[uniballer]

Here the local LEO dump old evidence bags and items in the landfill. I usually get a call when they do it. Last time it was a **** load of gold jewelry and tools. once a year it happens.

 

[gungatim]

I started dumpster diving when I was like 11 or 12. used to ride my bike up to the bike shop and get old tires, innertubes, and other bike parts to fix my bicycle...

now I occasionally hit the ones behind rentacenter's, dollar stores, and a few strip malls. when stores remodel and get new tenants they throw everything out. scored fans, lights, dremel with flex cable, all kinds of **** that way.

other stores toss end of season stuff that didn't sell on clearance. Christmas stuff, Halloween, etc. usually new in packages...

rental places used to toss speakers, furniture, you name it...

found half a skid of damaged wood stove pellets next to the dumpster behind the farm store, guy asked me how many I was taking so I said I'd split them with him. he said no, I'm the manager and I've got a whole trailer load if you want them. they were wet. I took home the half pallet because I had nowhere to store a semi load of them but they dried out and I used them in the woodstove in the shop just fine...

never know what you're gonna find.

 

[twertsy]

Years ago my grandfather carted home a whole pile of dumped Plvmb tool boards. We ripped all the hooks out of them and cut them up for all manner of projects. The thought just kills me today.

 

[freudianfloyd]

That's how I got my pressure washer. Listed on craigslist as having a broken fuel line and an oil leak. The broken fuel line was a disconnected soap supply line and the oil leak was from it being filled to twice capacity. Corrected both things, replaced the oil soaked air filter and replaced the spray nozzles and a perfectly working pressure washer for $20. I love being able to fix things.

I pulled a chipper/shredder out of a neighbors trash. He came over after I took it and said it had a blown motor. This thing looked brand new. I pulled the cord and it cranked over easy enough. Didn't seem locked up. Took the carb off and cleaned it and it started right up. He was a doctor, not a mechanic. He said he didn't need it anymore so I didn't feel bad about keeping it. Wound up selling it later for $175.

 

[sucking chest wound]

Count me in the pressure washer club. Neighbor put a nice Karcher with a Honda motor out in the trash. I went over and grabbed it. Engine started first pull, wtf. He wandered over and said "it doesn't spray". After watching a youtube video I took the piston thingy out of the pump, lubed it up so it can move up and down again, and it sprays just like new. For 5 seconds I thought about giving it back to him but nah

 

[fatfillup]

There is joy and satisfaction in acquiring tools and useful items at no cost, repairing them easily and on the cheap and adding them to your collection.

My problem is having a place to store them

 

[wolf_from_wv]

I got a small drill press that was on the way to the garbage pile.


Also ended up with a 6.5hp Craftsman mower that "the wheel is broken and we don't think can be fixed" that was headed for the garbage pile... I thought I'd have to attach a plate or something to reattach the wheel. Turns out, the wheel was broken - around the hub. I put a different wheel on it and have used it for about 4 years now.

 

[7th Kahuna]

My only excuse is I was around 8 at the time. They must have come out of the stock room of the local autoparts store. I can't imagine anyone else holding onto them for so long and then throw them away. I was only reminded of the carnage a couple years ago when we were cleaning out his garage and I came across a couple of the boards nailed to the back of the work bench.

 

[1badbird]

Fastenal is always a good one to check. I also drive around when the city has large item pickup day, never know what your going to find.

 

[jimmyfloyd]

Count me in the pressure washer club. Neighbor put a nice Karcher with a Honda motor out in the trash. I went over and grabbed it. Engine started first pull, wtf. He wandered over and said "it doesn't spray". After watching a youtube video I took the piston thingy out of the pump, lubed it up so it can move up and down again, and it sprays just like new. For 5 seconds I thought about giving it back to him but nah

I did this same thing, with probably the same pressure washer, except it was given to my by my FIL. Still running great 3 years later.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I got my IR 30T compressor that was going to be thrown in the dumpster. I took it before it got in there. I also got a small vintage CM tool box I haven't done anything with yet. I currently use it to stand on so I can see inside the top of my Coke Machine Snap On box. I got a couple of odd wrenches, a Bonnie, couple of Cratftsman and maybe a Mac. I got an older SK ratchet, some ETrack for my trailer. All from the same dumpster. I look all the time now.

From a place I used to work I got stuff too. A Makita electric impact because the cord was cut. A large industrial two speed fan because the stand was bent. I ceiling mounted it. A CM 1/2" impact because the trigger was frozen. A DeWalt grinder that was missing a guard and was always stuck in the on position. I fixed the switch but not the guard. I finally let the smoke out of that one after 5-6 years of use. I've been lucky.

No pretty dolls though.

 

[Mustang1167]

My first house out of school was a rental which I fixed up and paid property taxes on to live there. I carpeted the entire place with remnants from a large carpet store. Man was that embarrassing, the dumpster was right next to the drive throu of a busy McDonald's. If you didn't hit it up early everyone else would take the carpet before you. I did a 1200 sq ft house in tan carpet over a 2 month period.
While saving for our own home I'd collect scrap metal and fix appliances and save them in the shed for when we moved. I still have a GE fridge, stove, microwave, and dehumidifier, whirlpool washing machine and dryer, and Weber grill. All collected from upper class neighborhoods on trash day that needed very little work to fix them.
I had a lot of fun dumpster diving and scraping. Learned a lot and made me who I am today. Fortunately I don't have to jump into any dumpsters these days to make ends meet. It's amazing the stuff we throw away. I still pick up scrap if I find it along the way. I know a few ppl that buy the mowers and washer and dryers that still fix them and turn them around and sell them on Craigslist with a 30 day warranty.