Tools of the trade

I would add - vice(s). I use two. One is very big - over 100 pounds. The other is a small, clamp-on. The big one was given me with a bunch of junk. Retails over $800
re: magnets. I use telescoping magnets. They let me check out pieces without climbing over piles of stuff. I keep one in the truck, one in each of my two garages and one on the tractor. They're pretty cheap and a big time-saver trying to remember "Where did I leave it last time?"

My advice on a Sawzall and grinder - Don't try to "get by" with cheap equipment. What we do is hard on stuff - ourselves included - and cheap stuff just makes us work harder in the first place and work harder to replace it when it wears out.

I find that is a good idea to have a GPS unit to find address's if you don't know the area well. This saves time writing down directions and looking at them as you drive.

See there you go guys I am adding to my list

2nd the GPS - definitely. The wife bought one for me last Christmas. Paid for itself in gas savings within a month. Not to mention the frustration savings.

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Originally Posted by Mick

2nd the GPS - definitely. The wife bought one for me last Christmas. Paid for itself in gas savings within a month. Not to mention the frustration savings.

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Yup, I got me a GPS and I always know where I am and can pick out routes through neighborhoods. And if I'm hunting for scrap that means more money .

Don't forget some kind of wire strippers. Be it an automatic machine, manual stripper, or even a box cutter or some kind of knife. I use a sheath knife and it works great.

I have found that I have needed a sledgehammer many times.

A hammer indeed. Took a dryer apart the other day. Saw where one side of the motor was held on with a snap clip type fastener, but couldn't see how the other side was held down (under the blower), a few whacks with the hammer removed the entire assembly.

Side cutter, tin snips or whatever you want to call them.

Cordless drill with straight and phillips-head tips.

Tractor with pallet forks. Ok, Ok. Maybe not NECESSARY, but it sure makes life easier; especially if you unload onto a pile or are sorting stuff into different areas. Then, especially for loading appliances you've "stuffed".

See Mick I can see you writing a Book Soon. lolol

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I have found that I have needed a sledgehammer many times.

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For cast iron plumbing pipe, the old kind with leaded joints, it's the only way to go. Smash the pipe, and separate the lead...

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Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

A hammer indeed. Took a dryer apart the other day. Saw where one side of the motor was held on with a snap clip type fastener, but couldn't see how the other side was held down (under the blower), a few whacks with the hammer removed the entire assembly.

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That's almost exactly how I took apart a washer a couple weeks ago.

I also use mini screw drivers like what you use to fix eye glasses. A lot of electronics use those really tiny screws and I tear a bunch of those down.

I keep a axe and machete around. I always have to cut a path thru weeds. About 2 months ago I cut a old aluminum scool bus body in half with the ax so I could get it on the trailer. I also recommend some good wasp spray in the summer.

A small hachet works good for cutting soldered fittings off copper and it's faster than cutting with a saw or heating it off.

I use almost everything described here, except the machete!:D

A few year ago I bought a set of small screw bits for use in electronics. I, specifically, had been trying to take apart desktop computer hard drives. They all use very small "Torx" bits.

I separate the milled aluminum body, and the stainless steel cover. Oh, and I pull out the very strong super magnets inside.

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I, specifically, had been trying to take apart desktop computer hard drives.

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Is there anything valuable in those? And how much of it is in there and how much do you make per laptop?

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Originally Posted by Scrap man

Is there anything valuable in those? And how much of it is in there and how much do you make per laptop?

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I don't take apart laptops, I take apart desktops computers, but you could take apart laptops too. I mostly deal with old or broken desktops though.

The hard drives have exactly what I said above: milled aluminum body, stainless steel cover, and very strong super magnets. I like the magnets. They are fun to keep around. Most yards near me will buy them for close to $.45-$.50 per pound as is, without separation. But If I pull off the top first, I can sell them as stainless steel. If I pull out the other pieces in their, then I have clean aluminum.

So, you're talking maybe a few dollars per PC?

Edit:
I didn't see the last paragraph.

Channel Lock pliers. I have a pair of 16" channel locks that I use more than I figured I would. They give me a tremendous amount of leverage for stuff like unlocking frozen bolts.

Hello fellow scrappers this is my first post here, the site looks great!
I am surprised no one has mentioned a pair of bolt cutters. Fast, uses no power and very portable!