Post your yard sale stories here!

[hobo finds]

most i find are copper. Some alum but I just throw them all in elect motor pile and get paid

[Metaldog]

I find more aluminium than copper

Is there a way of identifying before hand?

[theirrationalist]

Do all electric motors have copper coils or can they have aluminuim instead?

Yes, they can have aluminum coils. It actually happens more often then you realize.

[Mossy]

I find more aluminium than copper

Is there a way of identifying before hand?

Drop it on your foot and count the broken bones?

[Metaldog]

I find more aluminium than copper

Is there a way of identifying before hand?

Drop it on your foot and count the broken bones?

After numerous calculations I have determined that 2 or less broken bones means that the motor contains aluminium, else it's copper

[CrazyTom]

I've passed up computer cables at yard sales that have been in the "free" box...are these scrapable? Are they Copper #2?

Hey Zig, American Metals at Broadway and Extension will take it. The price might be low but better than throwing it away.
The ratio of copper to insulation is what determines the price.

I have found that they'll take almost anything. Don't rule something out until you call them.

Thanks Tom. So there must be at least some copper in the cables?

I just call them when in doubt. Even if it is not copper they may still pay something.

[hobo finds]

Yard sale today and say a computer monitor that has free on it. Then a pile of #2 ins wire I asked how much for the wire she said $1.00 Wire weighed 12 lbs Wire worth $13.00+ scrap value!

What is a computer monitor worth in scrap. I have 2 that are taking up space that I need to get rid of.

I broke one apart today and got...

1 lb #2 Cu
1 ln #2 ins wire
1 lb alum
6 lb steel
6 lbs ABS plastic
20 lbs glass lead tube

This would be around $5.00 of scrap by me. The ABS plastic can go in the recyo bin as they take it and the tube no one wants so its trash!

[mj74]

I went to an estate sale last Saturday,and picked up a unique brass door knocker. It has the face of an old woman,and reads "Witch Of Wookey". I got it for
$2.00,put it on Ebay,and so far it is sitting at $14.50.

[cyberdan]

I went to an estate sale last Saturday,and picked up a unique brass door knocker. It has the face of an old woman,and reads "Witch Of Wookey". I got it for
$2.00,put it on Ebay,and so far it is sitting at $14.50.

That would be Brittish. In the south of england is the "Wookey Hole" a fair sized cave where one of the stalagmites has the look of a witch's face. Nice tourist attraction the cave even has a river running through and they use it to make paper down in the cave.

Been a while since I have been in england, havent been since i got married. Couldn't afford it, now our daughter is in college. Guess I can afford it in 3 years

[flbandit]

Some are aluminum. If you scrape the side of the coils with something, you can tell the difference. Aluminum will be silver color.

[Heartkill]

Friday and Saturday was "Peaches to Beaches", Georgia's biggest yard sale. Went from Ft. Valley all the way to the coast. I made it about 25 miles and headed back home lol.

I managed to scrape together this pile of brass for a total $12. Weight is 17 pounds, and while brass is $1.90 a pound here, it's worth $32.30



I also scored this old copper surge tank. Seller wanted $15, talked him down to $10. Weighed 13 pounds on my scale. #1 is $3.58 a pound here, putting a value of $46.54 on it.



Total spent - $22

Profit - $56.84