Do you know about SteamPunk? If not, research it.

"Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s.[1] Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually the Victorian era Britain—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy."

OK, why should you care? Do a search for steampunk on Ebay. Crafters are making steampunk items from lots of little scrap items. Little bits of copper and brass may bring more to these crafters then scrap prices.

Look for watch and clock parts and gears. They make some good money sometimes.

I have also sold keys from old manual typewriters for crafters making steampunk keyboards. Look them up. Things to look for as you rip things apart.

where you watching dirty money last night?

I have actually sold the keys off of really old typewriters several times on eBay. For quite a long time people were buying them to make jewelry. I am not sure if they are still selling but it was pretty hot for quite a long time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dherik

where you watching dirty money last night?

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I was thinking the same thing! That's twice today I've read Steampunk on this forum. I'd never even heard that word until last night. I've never seen that show and was flipping through channels and saw the keyboard that guy sold for $199. It was a piece of crap plastic keyboard with some typewriter keys glued to it! I was blown away. Some people have too much money...

guess thats where the ole quote , "one mans garbage is another mans treasure" comes from lol

I was moving an esate from an old watch maker about 8 months ago on E-bay. I came accross that reference and researched it. I ended up using steampunk in my listings for all of the miscelaneous parts toward the end of that lot.

A very good friend of mine most recently bid $75.00 on an 8 lb. box of misc. brass gears, fittings, findings,etc. (steampunk art supplies). He was outbid by $125.00. I would guess that $200.00 for 8lb. of brass would classify as better than scrap $$$.
Something to think about as you go about your picking!

Personally would venturer to say some people have more money than sense

this is an excellent post for ideas,while i have heard of steampunk and seen some of their crafts i never really though about where their materials came from or ever thought about marketing to the through ebay,now i have ideas about lookin' a bit closer through my junk!

Steampunk is big; I've been a fan for years. The idea is that in an alternate universe, we never developed the combustion engine, and have our current technology running on steam mechanics...Victoriana is also associated with this. There are conventions, novels, cosplay events and even movies devoted to the Steampunk phenomenon. Brass, copper and bronze are the main metals of interest in Steampunk, and anything to do with watches and gears, lenses and goggles. Leather is also a popular steampunk material.

Dieselpunk is also a thing, for people who find old industrial-age machinery parts, and old gauges or any sort. Rivets, switches, propellers. Think Amelia Earhart, World War I stuff, vintage stainless steel doo-dads and aluminum whatnots.

This is a good thread related to the crafty stuff one; just bumping it up.

Records. In my area there is a woman who collects them for some kind of artwork.

In the past I sold brass gears, stepper motors, and the "lasers" I get out of electronics to hobby shops.
I've even managed a couple sales of small plastic gears.

I do like the visual style of steam punk, but I prefer the artistic style of cyberpunk more.

Here are some amazing Steampunk costume photos, to get an idea for what people do:
6 Mind-Blowing Ways to Wear Your Steampunk Goggles « Steampunk R&D

Really detailed crafted steampunk stuff:
Steampunk Artwork: Steampunk Galerie - Kunst, Kleidung, clothing, artwork & fashion

Dieselpunk is very different, but also very metal-focused:
Dieselpunk on Nikola-Teslapunk - deviantART

Cyberpunk is computer-oriented. Think The Matrix, and the Borg, with a little Blade Runner tossed in:
The-Cyberpunk deviantART Gallery

Why is it I get a chuckle to see links for cosplay here? Cause it proves my theory about a little bit of nerd in all of us!

I love this place, you never know what will come up. I think is the first time I ever saw cosplay mentioned here. Good outlet for a lot of things. An regardless of peoples opinions of the folks who enjoy this kind of thing..they put a crap load of work into it. I mean seriously dedicated people.

Sirscrapalot - Enthusiasm moves the world - Arthur Balfour

You know what's messed up?

I liked this kinda junk before it was cool....

lol