Scrapyard finds thread

[ching0n]

Rules:

• A) Must be a functional item or item to be repaired/repurposed into a functional item.
• B) No "found this steel stock for this much" w/o also having scored something from rule A in same haul
• C) Price paid optional
• D) Before and after highly encouraged
• E) No dumpster dives/free items at this time unless thrown in as part of purchase to keep thread manageable
• F) Only ask for location disclosures over PM (some may not want to tell where they are or have their scrapyard raided).

I found this baby vise (made in USA) for ~ $2.50 along w/some other steel I bought.

 

[zendriver]

you're lucky

I've never been to any scrap yard that allows picking.

 

[ching0n]

you're lucky

I've never been to any scrap yard that allows picking.

really? I typically go to buy steel/stainless/etc.... so don't go w/the intention of "picking". It just so happens that everything as far as I can tell is for sale. I think some operations are finicky about liability so small sales like that may not be worth it to them. May be worth calling before making the trip "can I walk the yard for some steel"

 

[zendriver]

really? I typically go to buy steel/stainless/etc.... so don't go w/the intention of "picking". It just so happens that everything as far as I can tell is for sale. I think some operations are finicky about liability so small sales like that may not be worth it to them. May be worth calling before making the trip "can I walk the yard for some steel"

IME, they don't resell anything to the public and don't let anyone wander around the yards.

They sort (and pick) the way they want to, then resell the scrap or usable items elsewhere.

 

[mikegt4]

I found a full stick (21'+) of 1-1/2" x 3" rectangular tubing, brand new still with the shipping sticker attached, I got it for scrap price. It still sits on my garage floor after about 7 years, I haven't found a use for it yet but if I ever do I have it in stock.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

you're lucky

I've never been to any scrap yard that allows picking.

Same here.

 

[OccupantRJ]

It broke my heart years ago when the yards stopped allowing picking. I worked 4 days a week for 38 years and my Friday morning was shopping of the yards. I have bought everything from pallet jacks to resell to one ton weight punch presses. My Clausing lathe I refurbished started out as a $100 purchase from an industrial salvage yard.

 

[OccupantRJ]

 

[ching0n]

It broke my heart years ago when the yards stopped allowing picking. I worked 4 days a week for 38 years and my Friday morning was shopping of the yards. I have bought everything from pallet jacks to resell to one ton weight punch presses. My Clausing lathe I refurbished started out as a $100 purchase from an industrial salvage yard.

can't imagine the amount of items you found. I enjoy it too, It's a mixture of exploring/treasure seeking/bargain finding/archeology.

 

[freudianfloyd]

This is timely. I was just trying to find scrap yards that let you "pick". I have a few projects I would like to get materials for.

 

[cherrybomb]

Those of us,that learned from our parents that grew up in the great depression,always thought of ways to fix or make things out of things other people tossed.Sometimes a cheaper way to create a special solution to your needs

 

[OccupantRJ]

You can try going on Craigslist or FB marketplace and searching for metal metel steel steal iron and see what comes up. This is what I do these days. People quite often spell poorly And this seems to get the most out of a search. Spread the word through friends.
I got a free piece of 1x5 hot rolled flat bar 5 feet long a few weeks ago because someone wanted it out of his way. He even dropped it off when coming to town.

 

[bmwrd0]

The local yard allows limited picking, and isn't that cheap, but I found this when they had 40% off too clear stuff out, so I paid a lot less that what is shown.

 

[fourjeepin]

I found a metal gear that I wanted at a scrap yard but they wanted a couple hundred for it which i couldn’t justify for yard art. It was at least 5 ft tall and a couple inches thick.

 

[ching0n]

The local yard allows limited picking, and isn't that cheap, but I found this when they had 40% off too clear stuff out, so I paid a lot less that what is shown.

my scrapyard had a logan w/the base at one point. It looked about the same shape as yours. It's still a 500lb+ machine so even at scrap prices, it pays to keep an eye out facebook and pay just a bit extra for something that doesn't need extra work. I had just finished refurbbing a 6x18 like yours I picked up for like 320$ of FB

I found a metal gear that I wanted at a scrap yard but they wanted a couple hundred for it which i couldn’t justify for yard art. It was at least 5 ft tall and a couple inches thick.

diminishing returns as things get less useful & heavier.

 

[driftpin]

I had a father/son who owned a scrapyard in metro Ft. Lauderdale, I could and did get to search the yard. Then they sold it, and new owners, "no picking." Oh well.

I have another yard I do have search privileges and it's close-to marine businesses, so some very interesting things come thru.

 

[cdoublejj]

for $250 isn't that cheaper than HF? then getting it even cheaper yet!