Saved from the dump

[brianh]

Over the years I have salvaged quite a bit from our transfer station metal pile

Never have bought a grill, last grill I got was almost brand new with side burner not sure why it got canned.

Yesterday got the mower and chainsaw not that I need another chainsaw old craftsman no anti vibe, put a plug in the saw started right up, the mower had a snapped safety shutoff cable took off the return spring started right up. Perfect timing my old mower was starting to burn oil.

The compressor needed a tank check valve 15.00 part works great at job sites for my finish nailer's.

Got to be careful not to come home with more than I bring there.

 

[RECox286]

Bravo-zulu (that is a "U-****" in Navy lingo) from one

trash picker to an other !


Uncle Bob

 

[LB-1911]

Got to be careful not to come home with more than I bring there.

Isn't that the truth.....

Looks like you have done well.

 

[PJNJ]

Where I live the most of the towns used to have special collection days a few times a year. Unfortunately most of that has stopped. But while it lasted I got three lawn mowers that just needed maintenance to run - gave one to my BIL. He used it for a few years and then he gave it to his son. Among other stuff I got over the years -
a. exercise bike that the owner didn't know used a left hand thread for the crank - spun it on and it worked fine. It only had 26 miles on the odometer.
b. two bicycles - just needed maintenance and the tires were even good.
c. cordless phone (just needed battery).
d. fluorescent trouble light - guy was putting it out and said one switch for the two bulbs was broken. No, it just needed one of the bulbs replaced.
e. Weights and weight benches - usually ended up giving them away.
d. Old 8 track Stereo receiver - switches needed to be cleaned and it worked for about 10 years after that.
e. Speakers that still worked.
f. various tools including shovels, rakes, etc.

It's amazing what people buy, never use and throw out.



Oh and you ****!

 

[RECox286]

No, I disagree...It is not amazing what people throw out !

Uncle Bob

 

[PFSard]

brianh :: A lot of easy money there. Keep up the happy hunting.

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Every place I have lived, the transfer stations all have strict rules and all kinds of signage prohibiting items from being taken.

It ***** to see so much repairable or usable stuff go for scrap just because someone else didn't want it. I'm assuming these policies are for legal/liability reasons....

 

[brianh]

Every place I have lived, the transfer stations all have strict rules and all kinds of signage prohibiting items from being taken.

It ***** to see so much repairable or usable stuff go for scrap just because someone else didn't want it. I'm assuming these policies are for legal/liability reasons....

Yes one place I lived had that policy, but luckily not here except for a few months after two guys nearly got in a fistfight over something they wanted but that policy faded away.

I have a good collection of power tools that needed little to no repair like the porter cable 5 inch random orbital that had too much sawdust packed in the switch so it would not turn on. I still use it regularly.

 

[bonneyman]

Dang, a working gas saw from the dumpster.

 

[red73mustang]

Hey I think I have the same Craftsman Compressor and it won't fill up past 40 PSI, Could a tank pressure switch or tank check valve resolve this ?

 

[rsanter]

There is a guy near me that looks like he does house clean outs for banks or whatnot.
I am amazed at all the stuff I see piled in his trailer that I know he is taking to the dump.
I have seen stuff in there that looks decent right along with trash.
I can't fugure out why he doesn't put a load of decent stuff to take to the pawn shop or do a yard sale.
One time I saw tons of metal in the trailer mixed with trash.
Seems like he would want to make a little extra money but I guess not

Bob

 

[jakemac]

I miss the days-gone-by when you could pick at the dump. Around here they're all "Transfer Stations" now. No picking allowed.

 

[MEngineer]

I have acquired from the dump:

Kohler cast iron and porcelain kitchen sink
John Deere gas weed eater
Kitchen Aide Mixer
Fishing poles
fishing reels
bbq grills
lawn mowers

etc...

 

[KRB52]

Our town transfer station has signs plainly posted that there is a $500 fine for "picking" (I forget what term they use, but it's obvious what they mean.) I'm guessing it's a safety issue; I think someone got hurt or nearly so several years ago when they were "dumpster diving" in one of the containers. Pity; I used to come back with some stuff that I thought could be useful.

When I do go, I still go over to the scrap metal container and look in it. I usually find at least one piece of exercise equipment (tread mill, elliptic trainer, Nordictrac, etc.) in there. Most do not look worn out.

My in-laws have one that is smart. They have an enclosed area where you can "recycle" gently used items. My mother-in-law gave me a nice leather jacket that needs a new zipper put in. They have complete dish sets, cookware, cook books, books and I can't remember what else from there. Plus side also is that it is one of the more wealthy towns in my area, so the stuff is quality.

 

[Zeke]

I have never bought a new vacuum cleaner and I usually have more than one of each type on hand. There was only one upright I couldn't fix so I kept the cord.

 

[toolman9w]

I have never bought a new vacuum cleaner and I usually have more than one of each type on hand. There was only one upright I couldn't fix so I kept the cord.

"so I kept the cord" That's awesome right there.

 

[srmofo]

Those compressors like to break the reed valves off. Depending on age they are not available anymore. Still a good deal at free though

 

[Packard V8]

My engine machinist takes a load of scrap to town every couple of months and often owes the scrap yard when it's over. He brought home a 5hp compressor and motor and a separate tank. We swapped the 3-phase motor for a single phase he bought at a yard sale (it needed capacitors) and for $100 and a few hours labor, he's got a working 5hp industrial compressor.

There's a scrap yard near me which has opened a resale retail store next door. I find all kinds of deals, including a perfect Craftsman 150 drill press for $75. Who'd scrap one of those?

jack vines

 

[Justanoldguy]

Every place I have lived, the transfer stations all have strict rules and all kinds of signage prohibiting items from being taken.

It ***** to see so much repairable or usable stuff go for scrap just because someone else didn't want it. I'm assuming these policies are for legal/liability reasons....

We have a recycle shed at our transfer station. Anything of any use is put in there and you can help yourself to it.
But no scavenging in the actual dump area.
Of course there is now no need to.

 

[Zeke]

Those compressors like to break the reed valves off. Depending on age they are not available anymore. Still a good deal at free though

Easy to make reed valves out of flat spring steel with shears.

 

[brianh]

This weekends haul

The circular saw is a 90s black and decker it will go to the barn shop the toolbox still had stuff in it files , allen wrenches and misl junk I need to make a new carry handle for it and its my new electrical tool box.

Cast 12" emirel frying pan never used I will strip the factory seasoning and redo I love cooking on cast iron, my cast wok is used daily.

Floor jack works fine.

 

[John in OH]

This weekends haul

Love that cantilever toolbox ! My favorite style of box .... do you know the manufacturer?

 

[four.cycle]

Every place I have lived, the transfer stations all have strict rules and all kinds of signage prohibiting items from being taken

^ same here. NO scavenging allowed, and there's all kinds of guys standing around to make sure nobody does.

control cable for that craftsman mower should only be about $12 from Sears.

 

[brianh]

Love that cantilever toolbox ! My favorite style of box .... do you know the manufacturer?

No I looked all over, no stamp or badge. I have two other no name boxes a bit similar but smaller they are great I use them for the plumbing tools.

 

[Richard Cranium]

The county owns our land fill, And they will charge you with theft if they catch you taking stuff.

 

[jd_1138]

It's amazing what people toss in the garbage. I dropped some recyclables off at the town's recycling area, and a guy was loading up a couple of near mint Suzuki Shuttle mopeds -- a red one and a blue one. He said someone had leaned them against the dumpster. He didn't try to start them (old gas) but said the compression was great in both when he kicked them over.

Those are probably worth at least $1,000 for the pair to the right buyer. Probably someone was cleaning out their parent's house and saw them in the garage and tossed them.

 

[bonneyman]

Love that cantilever toolbox ! My favorite style of box .... do you know the manufacturer?

+2 on that!

 

[Wrenchinfool]

The dump by me never has anything worth giving it a 2nd look now the metal scrap yards that's a whole another story

 

[VocaTexas]

I took a load of scrap metal to town a few weeks ago and came home with the tub, frame, and front axle of a '76 IH Scout. It's even got a tilt-wheel steering column.

 

[Kensgarage]

^ same here. NO scavenging allowed, and there's all kinds of guys standing around to make sure nobody does.

control cable for that craftsman mower should only be about $12 from Sears.

If you go to the flea mkt on Sunday the "all kinds of guys standing around" will be there selling the stuff they get paid to keep you from digging for.

 

[G_P]

I miss the days-gone-by when you could pick at the dump. Around here they're all "Transfer Stations" now. No picking allowed.

Same here. The "transfer station" employees load their trucks up with what they want, but if you try to pick something up off the ground, they flip out on you.
I dont even bother with them anymore. The fees have become outrageous and it costs nearly $50 just to throw away some junk. $100 if you come in with a full size truck.
Putting it on the curb costs me nothing and the stuff vanishes overnight most times.

 

[Ponchoguy]

^ same here. NO scavenging allowed, and there's all kinds of guys standing around to make sure nobody does.

control cable for that craftsman mower should only be about $12 from Sears.

That mower is probably an AYP made "917" prefix machine. Cheaper to look up the part on Sears Parts Direct, get the AYP # and shop online for it through Amazon, Ebay, or Jack's Small Engines. Problem solved.

I just used my 2003 Craftsman 4.5hp mower today. My uncle gave it to me, went out and bought a new one (which I also wound up fixing). He has a habit of buying/getting cheap gas.

 

[four.cycle]

all of Craftsman's rotary mower decks have been stamped out by AYP for decades.
lawnmowers don't like ethanol. per a B&S tech service bulletin, your gasoline today is only good for 30 days. personal experience with a B&S Quantum on an old Snapper causes me to believe there's a good deal of validity to that claim.
people leaving gas in their mowers over the winter keeps me really busy in the early spring.

 

[Cypherian]

Love that cantilever toolbox ! My favorite style of box .... do you know the manufacturer?

I have an vintage Craftsman one if you are interested, needs a redo but the.metal is not in bad shape , a few rivets are loose but to do a complete rebuild you would replace them any how. Pictures are in the garage sale thread if you want more let me know.I am only into it for 25 bucks so that and shipping.and its yours. It has cantilevered trays and one on each side have covers

Cypher

 

[fordnut85]

When I was a heavy equipment tech for a transfer station there was no picking allowed (wink wink). Between the Coleman factory dumping overstock, Rubbermaid factory doing the same, Wal-Mart returns, clean up crews and your everyday Joe, here is a short list of the stuff I came home with

Lots of coolers
a couple BBQ grills
4 Bose 501 speakers
Pioneer home theater, 5 disc changer and record player
a 3'x3' fireproof safe
grill guard for my 94 F-350
quite a few RC cars
3 riding mowers
many push mowers
lawn cart
pull behind lawn areator
pull behind rake
a few computers
workbenches from an M35A2 van body
and alot more I can't remember...

After christmas returns from wal-mart were the best, those got set off to the side until after closing and we would all go picking. The stuff was crazy, unopened packages of socks with return stickers for "wrong size". The big safe was returned because the dial would not turn but it was unlocked, opened the door and there is a big red sticker stating "knob will not turn until shipping screw is removed" lol

 

[PugetDude]

The definition of irony is a county that mandates curbside recycling and bans it at the transfer station.

 

[Ponchoguy]

all of Craftsman's rotary mower decks have been stamped out by AYP for decades.
lawnmowers don't like ethanol. per a B&S tech service bulletin, your gasoline today is only good for 30 days. personal experience with a B&S Quantum on an old Snapper causes me to believe there's a good deal of validity to that claim.
people leaving gas in their mowers over the winter keeps me really busy in the early spring.

Be careful with that one---they were "131" Rally Ropers at least in some cases up through 1979 because I have a deck from one in the shed. RR got taken over by AYP some years later.

.

 

[brownbagg]

Those compressors like to break the reed valves off. Depending on age they are not available anymore. Still a good deal at free though

grainger has them

 

[Empty Pockets]

My aunt ran a scrap yard / recycling facility in the midwest for some time, until her passing. It wasn't uncommon on visits to be invited into the garage to select whatever stuff she was able to rescue. My wife and I got a lot of good stuff, including her complete set of cast iron cookware.

 

[wafrederick]

A friend of my dad's did get a snowblower from the scrapyard not running and did turn over.He had to do some carburetor work to it and it ran good.Still has it.