Micro Scrapping

[mtalbot_ca]

I always wanted to scrap, but never had the time (army then a white collar job). The thread ''A pound of metal per mile'' gave me the boost to do some micro scrapping in my own area. I say micro, because it is relatively small stuff such as:

- beer caps
- small metal rods, wires
- old screws, nails
- cans (soup, beans etc,,,)
- copper from old wires I had laying around
- soda and beer cans

and the odd metal junk from my house (old ironing board and a bedframe).

I started to look around by taking walks around my office and neighbourhood and it started to pile up. I plan to go to the yard once a year. It is hard, because of all the snow we have here in Québec. So far, within the first four months since I started I got:

- 88lbs light iron
- 17 lbs of cast iron
- 8 lbs no-2 copper
- 4 lbs of aluminium (cans mostly) (not including the refundable ones on for consignment for 5-cents each)
- 2 lbs of various unscripped cables

It is not much, but I feel good doing it. I guess it is the hunter instinct finally coming back

Knowing that I am not the only guy having this urge, tells me that I am not a nut case.

Cheers

[MetalMan]

"It is not much, but I feel good doing it. I guess it is the hunter instinct finally coming back"

My shared sentiments. For me, it's kind of like a quasi treasure hunt, and the little pleasure that come with the rewards. I just wish there was not the stigma that goes with it.

[messymessy]

I just wish there was not the stigma that goes with it.

The stigma that comes with it is your friend. If it was easy and clean, everybody would be doing it. It would be too hard to find free stuff.

[knibloe]

Congrats. I think that it is great.

I have taken to looking in the garbage cans at my customers. My industry uses a lot of stainless. Most of the small parts go into the trash. One place I go has 60 machines which get re-built once per year. Inside each machine are two small stainless parts that get replaced. Each weighs about an oz. If I get there on the righ day I get 120 oz (7.5#) of 304 stainless. Not a lot but it adds up. The other day I got a 4' section of 1" copper pipe. I asked before I took that.

I take it all home and throw it into a 15 gallon drum. When it is full I plan on sorting it and taking it to the scrap yard. It is only half full.

[cyberdan]

The stigma that comes with it is your friend. If it was easy and clean, everybody would be doing it. It would be too hard to find free stuff.

I have just added a few things to my weekly yardsale shopping list. The reason I did this is I just realized some of the stuff I pass over is worth 60-80¢ pound. Two weeks ago, at a yard sale, the mother and daughter, had two big boxes of junk marked FREE so I went through it and pulled out little copper kitchen things, stainless kitchen things and some junky aluminum frying pans. I filled a big box and said I feel like Fred Sanford. They had no idea what I was talking about, so I said Sha Sha Nee and left. They understood that and smiled. I know I will get over $10 for that load.

I did feel a bit like Fred and when I got home I did wait till dark to bring those things into the house. But that is not going to stop me. from buying old kitchen stuff as cheap as I can.

[cyberdan]

My industry uses a lot of stainless. Most of the small parts go into the trash. One place I go has 60 machines which get re-built once per year. Inside each machine are two small stainless parts that get replaced.

I just called my recycler yesterday with a question on stainless.
magnetic goes for 12¢ pound and non-magnetic gets 68¢ pound
I always carry a magnet with me at yard sales.

[hobo finds]

That 2 cents more that I would get! They just put it in with the steel!

[mtalbot_ca]

Thanks for the support. You are right Metalman, it really feels like treasure hunting.

Cheers,

[CrazyTom]

I am honored to know that others think like I do, if we are crazy as compared to the rest of the world then I'll wear it with pride.

Survivors see value everywhere, the sheeple wait until their government masters feed them. There must be a million dollars' worth of scrap just laying on the ground all over this country and no real economical means of collecting it all at one time. So we get it a little at a time. Pardon me if I don't mention my finds to our dear leaders......

[CrazyTom]

"It is not much, but I feel good doing it. I guess it is the hunter instinct finally coming back"

My shared sentiments. For me, it's kind of like a quasi treasure hunt, and the little pleasure that come with the rewards. I just wish there was not the stigma that goes with it.

Every time I pick something up I think, "Ah, more resources to convert into cash so I can get more coins to sort for silver and copper." Every find has a monetary value as well as a psychological one. The mental benefit comes in when I see slobs shuffling into Walmart to buy Chinese junk on their debit and credit cards. Many of them are on someone else's dime (like mine). When the music stops playing there won't be a chair to plop their fat butt on.

If anyone looks down their nose I just remind myself that the joke is on them as they drown in debt feeding the Federal beast.
Scrapping, no matter how small, IS the hunter instinct, the survivor instinct, the division between those who wait for someone to save them versus the ones who save themselves.

[Verbane]

Every time I pick something up I think, "Ah, more resources to convert into cash so I can get more coins to sort for silver and copper." Every find has a monetary value as well as a psychological one. The mental benefit comes in when I see slobs shuffling into Walmart to buy Chinese junk on their debit and credit cards. Many of them are on someone else's dime (like mine). When the music stops playing there won't be a chair to plop their fat butt on.

If anyone looks down their nose I just remind myself that the joke is on them as they drown in debt feeding the Federal beast.
Scrapping, no matter how small, IS the hunter instinct, the survivor instinct, the division between those who wait for someone to save them versus the ones who save themselves.

Well said.

[knibloe]

My industry uses a lot of stainless. Most of the small parts go into the trash. One place I go has 60 machines which get re-built once per year. Inside each machine are two small stainless parts that get replaced.

I just called my recycler yesterday with a question on stainless.
magnetic goes for 12¢ pound and non-magnetic gets 68¢ pound
I always carry a magnet with me at yard sales.

The stailness that I get from work is all non metallic.

[linkster]

How the heck do they make non metallic stainless steel? I think you mean non magnetic......

[merchoarder]

I'm fascinated and intrigued by this thread as well as crazy tom's. Very inspirational. I live in a very small city and walk everywhere, don't even own a car. The more I follow these threads the more I find myself looking at the ground and seeing a whole new world! I have a few questions... As a walker, what is the best collection method? Thinking of just old cargo shorts and loading up the pockets until they're full. I see mostly nuts, bolts, etc., small stuff. Also, I have never scrapped anything before and was wondering how to separate what I may find. As a total beginner all I can really think of is separating magnetic vs. non. I'm really thinking I'm gonna start picking it all up although I'm sure my girlfriend will think I'm completely nuts She only barely tolerates my new-found penny obsession! Any thoughts or experiences from similarly vehiculary-challenged would be appreciated.

[MetalMan]

Your pockets may be sufficient for your current walking route, if not, I would recommend carrying either one of those opaque reusuable bags sold at the grocery store and/or my favorite thing to use is a worn out backpack.

"I find myself looking at the ground and seeing a whole new world!" How true. Isn't amazing how much we used to overlook before?

[mtalbot_ca]

On that note, of ''looking where you walk'' I started to explore around the baseball park near my work. As it turns out, I got 1 lbs of aluminium cans, from ''last season''. Just can't wait for this baseball season to kick into gears.

About seeing a new world, I think that looking for a purpose, exposes you to a more vibrant environment than simply strolling aimlessly. I think I am more aware of my surroundings, what people do, where do they go, are they watching me (usually not) and I take mental note of where I found metal before because I should find it again as patterns do repeat themselves.

Cheers,

Cheers,

[CrazyTom]

On that note, of ''looking where you walk'' I started to explore around the baseball park near my work. As it turns out, I got 1 lbs of aluminium cans, from ''last season''. Just can't wait for this baseball season to kick into gears.

About seeing a new world, I think that looking for a purpose, exposes you to a more vibrant environment than simply strolling aimlessly. I think I am more aware of my surroundings, what people do, where do they go, are they watching me (usually not) and I take mental note of where I found metal before because I should find it again as patterns do repeat themselves.

Cheers,

Cheers,

One time in Ajo Arizona, an old mining town, I spied a dilapidated baseball park. I walked the baselines where people would have put lawn chairs and blankets to watch the games. Rain had just fell the day prior. I found a Mercury dime along the third base side, the rain washed the dust from its surface.

Patterns definitely do repeat themselves on the road. Most common items are nuts, bolts, screws, washers, spark plugs, tools, S hooks, engine parts, aluminum cans, windshield wipers, pins and clips, brake pads, springs, wire, plumbing and air hose fittings, coins, lead wheel weights, etc.

[CrazyTom]

Your pockets may be sufficient for your current walking route, if not, I would recommend carrying either one of those opaque reusuable bags sold at the grocery store and/or my favorite thing to use is a worn out backpack.

"I find myself looking at the ground and seeing a whole new world!" How true. Isn't amazing how much we used to overlook before?

Ha, I use the plastic bags from the supermarket and an old backpack! Great minds.......

[CrazyTom]

I'm fascinated and intrigued by this thread as well as crazy tom's. Very inspirational. I live in a very small city and walk everywhere, don't even own a car. The more I follow these threads the more I find myself looking at the ground and seeing a whole new world! I have a few questions... As a walker, what is the best collection method? Thinking of just old cargo shorts and loading up the pockets until they're full. I see mostly nuts, bolts, etc., small stuff. Also, I have never scrapped anything before and was wondering how to separate what I may find. As a total beginner all I can really think of is separating magnetic vs. non. I'm really thinking I'm gonna start picking it all up although I'm sure my girlfriend will think I'm completely nuts She only barely tolerates my new-found penny obsession! Any thoughts or experiences from similarly vehiculary-challenged would be appreciated.

I keep old plastic buckets in the garage, after a ride I toss steel into one, copper and brass in another, pop cans in a big bag, copper wire in another bag, aluminum parts in another bucket. I get scrap from work too and it all adds up.

I take a hand full of plastic bags from the grocery store stuffed in my pocket. I hang it from the handle bar as I start to fill it.

[Submariner]

I like the term "Micro scrapping". I used to do this on a much bigger scale, but lately have only been able to micro scrap. I have a few pounds of wire, motors, etc. I even take apart microwaves for the transformers and motors. Anyway, keep up the good work!

[mtalbot_ca]

Thanks for that. We all have our reasons for it (time, space, medical reasons, spouse etc...) however it is enough to keep the flame alive and your brain intact....

Cheers,