How to start

How do you start scraping with little to no start-up cost I see a lot of people on the forum buy things.

Originally Posted by la103

How do you start scraping with little to no start-up cost I see a lot of people on the forum buy things.

Put out flyers, hand out business cards, free ads craigslist etc.

some screwdrivers, hacksaw and a sledge will go a long way

I started with a cars tool kit, double ended screwdriver, lever, slipjaw pliers, sparkplug socket & wheelbrace...

Hint: make most of your mistakes when you first start out, learn from them. Remember them, dont repeat them.

always pick up more. and when you think you have a good stockpile start breaking it down between getting more. learn from what the guys on here are saying and from your mistakes. grabbing on garbage night is a good start. but also hit the dumpsters at factories and commercial properties around you. get a bfh, crescent wrench, screwdrivers ( a few of both) and wirecutters. all of which you can pick up for about $20 at the discount bin at your hardware store.

Even though I'm new to e-scrapping; and, took a several year break in between, I'm NOT new to scrapping in general. Here are a few of the pointers that I picked up along the way:
1) Treat it as a job; and, understand that when you're working for yourself, you have to be "a tough boss..." (Too many folks miss the last part of this, in all sorts of self-employment endeavors.)
2) Understand that not everything you make is yours to do with as you please. If you spend it as fast as it comes in (on anything besides "growing your business"), you'll never get far enough ahead to really see much out of it.
3) Learn the rules of the yards you deal with; and, when possible, deal with the most honest of them exclusively. There are yards that will consistently screw you over. When you find one or two that don't, build a rapport with them. Step one to that is to learn their particular rules and follow them; especially in terms of cleaning and separating loads. If you half-ass these, you'll probably wind up with half-ass payouts.
4) A good work space and the right tools are your friends.
5) If you have the misfortune of living under the venue of code enforcement officers; or, even worse yet (EEK!!!) apartment managers, it'd be a good idea to have a friend who lives out in the country; or, to at least find a scrapper friendly storage.
6) Tailor your scrapping to your circumstances, taking storage issues, physical ability, finances, etc. into account.
7) Whenever possible, keep your turn-over as fast as practical. Some things ARE worth "sitting on;" especially if they aren't going to take up too much space or get damaged by weather (etc.); but, most aren't. If you're watching market trends on metals, sometimes it IS worth waiting a little while for the market to move up; but, unless you have a lot of space and operating funds, it's generally better to move what you have and keep moving forward to the next load.
8) Places like craigslist are handy for some of the working stuff you run across. (It's amazing what some folks throw out...)

It doesn't really rate a number; but, pawn shops are good places to buy any tools you need.

I'm sure I could think of more; but, it's been a long day; and, there are plenty of folks on here who might be typing similar stuff (and more) while I am; so, I'll leave it at that.

Go out and get your hands dirty unless you wear gloves LOL.

Originally Posted by la103

How do you start scraping with little to no start-up cost I see a lot of people on the forum buy things.

Well it is not easy. Nevertheless, the most important thing is to get out and start networking with others. Letting people know who you are and what you are all about. Make a name for yourself and then maybe the scrapping gods will look out for ya.

Buckatabon