Possible Lead for Old Equipment

So a couple days ago, i got a lead from a friend about a guy with a garage full of electronics. I called the guy and he said its all old electronics from the 40s through the 60s. Turns out the guy is only about 3 miles from me, if that. Ill let you guys know what happens and post pictures if i can.

If this guys really does have a garage full and they are all that old, im not going to be able to give him a price for anything. I was considering just telling him that ill take it all, do what i can with everything, then split profits with him once im finished. What do you guys think of that? Good idea or bad?

Originally Posted by Lurch

So a couple days ago, i got a lead from a friend about a guy with a garage full of electronics. I called the guy and he said its all old electronics from the 40s through the 60s. Turns out the guy is only about 3 miles from me, if that. Ill let you guys know what happens and post pictures if i can.

If this guys really does have a garage full and they are all that old, im not going to be able to give him a price for anything. I was considering just telling him that ill take it all, do what i can with everything, then split profits with him once im finished. What do you guys think of that? Good idea or bad?

I've done this before with my customers, but they're usually newer computers. Unfortunately, it's kind of a big trust factor and he may not want to do it if he doesn't know you.

Usually keywords I use when offering on things like this "Have any idea how much you'd like to get for this?". That way it's fair to him, and fair to you if you like the offer.

Originally Posted by emeeks

I've done this before with my customers, but they're usually newer computers. Unfortunately, it's kind of a big trust factor and he may not want to do it if he doesn't know you.

Usually keywords I use when offering on things like this "Have any idea how much you'd like to get for this?". That way it's fair to him, and fair to you if you like the offer.

Well, ive met the guy a couple times briefly. I know hes good friends with my friend who gave me the lead. I suppose ill find out once i get there

Originally Posted by mikeinreco

I have noticed that certain older stuff does not have many high grade circuit boards as it tends to be more mechanical.........Unless you really know the material and what you can get out of it make a low enough offer where you can still make money

My biggest problem is i dont know what he has. He told me a little while we were on the phone but stupid me didnt write it down. All i know is he has a lot and i like looking through peoples junk...

Well if you do end up buying it, let us know how it turns out for you. Best of luck!

Originally Posted by emeeks

Well if you do end up buying it, let us know how it turns out for you. Best of luck!

Thank you. Ill be needing it

That old stuff is all low grade boards, lots of vacuum tubs. Very time consumming to break down. You might be able to put some of it on e-bay, collectors might buy it. Try to find a vintage electronics forum (I don't know if there is one). Let us know what you find out could be good info to have.

In a similar situation I offered 12c/lb, the going price at the time for shred (after I saw what it was). My profit came from separating out the components. The seller got the same price as he would have if his nephew loaded up his truck and taken it to the scrapyard (which he had already done once).

I just got back from loading and unloading this stuff. Not as much as i thought but still enough to make 2 trips. The guy said to take it and if i make money off it, we will split it. If not, no big deal. Nice guy. New problem though. I have ABSOLUTELY NO idea what 99% of this stuff is and i cant find much online, if at all. Anyone on here specialize in older radio equipment and meters?

Maybe find a HAM radio club in your area. If you talk to some of those guys, they'll probably be able to identify everything. They might even want to buy a bunch of it.

I find the best way to identify old electronics is with the EIA code. Stands for Electronic Industries Association, I believe the Association started during WWII but not certain on that. This association wrote the first standards specifications for the industry. EIA has evolved into today's TIA - Telecommunications Industry Association. Still doing the same thing as the old EIA just encompassing a whole lot more industry standards. This was the start of agreed upon standards that has allowed among many things, common vacuum tube sockets, IC chip data sheets, and agreed upon size of connectors. They are still trying to agree on AC adapters (why we have so many). With old electronics, components like speakers, transformers and rheostats are good places to look for EIA codes. As most manufacturers of these components belonged to the EIA, thus utilized EIA date codes. The first EIA date codes were 6 digit codes and I think it was 1969 they switched to 7 digit codes (adding 2 digit year code). Anyway it's a sure way to date old electronics with a little effort. Example 285150 - the first three digits is always the company that made it, 285 is the old Rola speaker company - 1 is the year of manufacture could be 1951 or 1961 - last two digits is the week of manufacturing. Try to focus on easy to identify components that have multiple applications (speakers/transformers). Capacitors and even switches can be hard as there are so many types and makers. With speakers everyone knows what they are and just a handful of makers. Google EIA date codes will get you more details if I haven't bored you to death already! LOL

Originally Posted by bigburtchino

I find the best way to identify old electronics is with the EIA code. Stands for Electronic Industries Association, I believe the Association started during WWII but not certain on that. This association wrote the first standards specifications for the industry. EIA has evolved into today's TIA - Telecommunications Industry Association. Still doing the same thing as the old EIA just encompassing a whole lot more industry standards. This was the start of agreed upon standards that has allowed among many things, common vacuum tube sockets, IC chip data sheets, and agreed upon size of connectors. They are still trying to agree on AC adapters (why we have so many). With old electronics, components like speakers, transformers and rheostats are good places to look for EIA codes. As most manufacturers of these components belonged to the EIA, thus utilized EIA date codes. The first EIA date codes were 6 digit codes and I think it was 1969 they switched to 7 digit codes (adding 2 digit year code). Anyway it's a sure way to date old electronics with a little effort. Example 285150 - the first three digits is always the company that made it, 285 is the old Rola speaker company - 1 is the year of manufacture could be 1951 or 1961 - last two digits is the week of manufacturing. Try to focus on easy to identify components that have multiple applications (speakers/transformers). Capacitors and even switches can be hard as there are so many types and makers. With speakers everyone knows what they are and just a handful of makers. Google EIA date codes will get you more details if I haven't bored you to death already! LOL

Not at all. That was very helpful. Thank you

Originally Posted by FLimits

Maybe find a HAM radio club in your area. If you talk to some of those guys, they'll probably be able to identify everything. They might even want to buy a bunch of it.

I just talked with one of my old tech buddies and he mentioned going to some of the HAM radio shows. I need to find guys around here for that stuff. Im unable to travel at the moment.

If you want to try to identify stuff, put some photographs on this forum...maybe some of us can help...like Mech688 said, there are some electronics guys, some ham guys, and other pretty smart cookies here that maybe can help or give you leads.

Jon.

Originally Posted by sawmilleng

If you want to try to identify stuff, put some photographs on this forum...maybe some of us can help...like Mech688 said, there are some electronics guys, some ham guys, and other pretty smart cookies here that maybe can help or give you leads.

Jon.

Oh yeah. Im going to try taking pictures of everything tomorrow if i can... Its a lot of CRAP. Old, awesome crap that i would love to keep but still crap...

Well, here is one of the things i picked up. General Electric portable double bridge. Sorry for the crap picture. I have to borrow cameras now...