Brand New Scrapper!

I think I'm hooked! LOL!

I wanted to try out this scrapping thing, and I told my sons about it. They told me that there was a large CRT TV set sitting next to the dumpster in our apartment complex for the last three days! When we went to pick it up, there was also a large metal built-in style microwave. So yesterday I tried my hand at scrapping both, as well as scrapping an old computer tower we had (it had been smoke damaged and heat damaged in our house fire last year). Then today, I took the plunge and made my first trip to the scrapyard!

The guys at the scrapyard were incredibly nice & helpful. I learned a lot. The motor from the microwave, I didn't know I was supposed to remove it, and the guy told me that if I'd remove it from the platform it would count as a motor and be worth more. All because I didn't remove three stinking screws! (And because, like an idiot, I left my tool bag at home when I went!) He showed me the difference between grades of circuit boards, talked to me about the best things to remove and what to leave alone, and helped me to identify and learn about different grades of copper. He also taught me how to distinguish aluminum from steel (because I apparently forgot how magnets work!). So I kind of feel stupid because I made some obvious mistakes, but I'm also really psyched because it was a lot of fun!



All total, I had about 80 pounds of scrap, most of that low-grade aluminum and junk. I made $18.44!

So my husband thinks this new obsession of mine is a little crazy, and he's probably right. But the way I see it, it took me about 3 hours to break down the TV (and that was mostly because I was finding videos and tutorials to learn how to do it!). It took me about an hour to break down the microwave, and the computer took about 2 hours. So maybe that's not the best hourly wage, but the more I do it, the faster I'm going to get. And earning almost $20 for one evening of work really isn't that bad. Besides, it sounds silly, but I love this! I've always loved the thrill of assembling things, and with scrapping, I get the joy of working with my hands and none of the headaches of making sure it actually works when I'm finished.

What else? Oh, so now that I've developed this new hobby/obsession, I'm looking everywhere for scrap. I posted on a few of my free boards and groups (places where people post that they're giving away free stuff) what I'm looking for: washers, dryers, TVs, computers, computer parts, grills, and so forth, working or not. I browse Craigslist for the free section, but that's pretty hit or miss since metal scrapping is pretty big in my metro area. I have the best luck working with the military community here (hubby got out of the Army just recently, so we still have a lot of contacts in the service). At some point over this coming weekend, I'm supposed to pick up a washer, a dryer, three TVs, a microwave, and two grills. And I spoke with a friend of mine who does computer (hardware & software) stuff. I asked him what he does with his parts. He said he knows he SHOULD recycle them or scrap them, but he doesn't have the time or the inclination to mess with it, so he's agreed to let me take all of his old parts! Yay!!! I'm supposed to pick up several boxes from him early next week.

So now it's midnight where I'm at, and I'm debating between geeking out on the boards or disassembling the microwave I have in the living room. At any rate, I'm so excited to be here, and hoping I'll find some folks that can sympathize with my scrapping obsession!

Good for you and good to have you!!! Remember a family that scraps together, stays together!! Your friends can be a great source of scrap since they probably don't understand what scrap is! Make sure you tell them not to throw ANYTHING out with metal or electronics tell they check with you! Oh and being that you have lady friends... get all the old hot curler bins you can. The base plate in them is aluminum and a decent weight. I did two this weekend!! My hair is a mess but thats not important right now.

Welcome from CA I like the avatar it's one of a kind.

Seems like we're all here because we like scrapping. My wife has even taken a liking to it.......she likes to dig above ground and even underground for all she can find. It's like a treasure hunt. She spent over an hour just under one tree awhile back. We do farmyard scrapping/machinery hauling etc. Don't try that diggin thing in downtown Orlando btw.

What most impressed me about your post Ms. Hollyda is your enthusiasm, ambition, appreciation of the $18.44 and your desire to influence your sons to earn, learn, save and to be good stewards of their environment. We'll all be glad to hear of your adventures.