obscure roadside scrap

In an unending search for things scrap able or re usable, I've found two more things. First - light bulbs. I find an incredible amount of lamps being thrown out. Some are scrap able some are not, most still have light bulbs. This isn't life changing but, its a good way to save a buck, especially for those living on a shoestring budget.

Secondly- luggage. I don't see any scrappers breaking off the aluminum retractable handles. I've heard of folks taking luggage or checking it out. I believe that's a longshot to find a ring or envelope full of money. It's unlikely and they are bulky and can harbor bed bugs from hotels. However I found that a few good twists on the retractable towing handles will usually break em off.

Kindly add any other little secrets with the class. Boys and girls.

when I see a sofa, I always slide my hand under the cushions for loose change but all's I find are cookie crumbs and peanuts.

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Originally Posted by scrapperben

when I see a sofa, I always slide my hand under the cushions for loose change but all's I find are cookie crumbs and peanuts.

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Beware of syringes and razors. Not to mention condoms. You never know who was sitting there and what was going on.

I take the silverware from retirement homes i do Demo at because it is stainless... Not that much of a secret I guess

Russell, I haven't bought a light bulb in over 5 years, I even give some to my church when they need them.

construction site lightbulbs are usually heavy duty rough use long lasting things. Not to mention the cheap things they make now days, which start getting ready to blow soon as you take em from the store shelf. I got a bunch of 150 watt bulbs on a construction job 12 years ago and still have a few of them in a box (course I don't use 150 watt bulbs much any more either ; )

I like luggage for holding trash, instead of buying more trashcans or bags that rip. I'll pick up any type of large container.

My first demolition job was a bank and I got to scrap the sign. It was one of those that used light bulbs to make numbers and letters. I got close to 300 usable bulbs out of that thing.

Luggage, definitely check it out. A few months ago, I found over $200 in a make up case just before throwing it out. It was all folded up and in several different make up and medicine bottles scattered around the case. That was a great treasure hunt.

200$ in make up is great... If you are into that. Maybe I should bring the wife along.

lol. I think he was saying he found $200 in a make up case.

Keep a lookout for plastic bags too! People throw drugs out the window when they are paranoid from seeing police all the time! ;)

not exactly obscure, kind of obvious to most on this forum, broom/shovel handles & metal poles sticking up out of garbage cans. I have seen scrappers drive by these, because most of the time they end up being swiffers with about three cents worth of metal. Guy who got me into this says he never stops for broom handle looking things. Well I always do, and every now and then one turns out to be something motorized, or there's a brass fitting somewhere...and a couple weeks ago I pulled out what appeared to be one of those bent snow shovel handles, turned out to be a fully functioning metal detector. another metal pole turned out to be a crank for a set of aluminum blinds below eye level. Have also found that people put heavy items in very bottom of open can, to prevent the poles/handles from tipping it over.

Rainy days in the suburbs people pack stuff in plastic bags that they would otherwise put out open. I guess they don't want their stuff to get wet, even though it's now garbage. Anyway, a lot of them pack like items together in trash bags. When it's raining and slim pickings and I see a pole sticking out of a black trash bag, I'll give the bag a poke, and if shows potential and I don't feel anything mushy, it becomes my bonus surprise grab bag.

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Originally Posted by volvoscrapper

not exactly obscure, kind of obvious to most on this forum, broom/shovel handles & metal poles sticking up out of garbage cans. I have seen scrappers drive by these, because most of the time they end up being swiffers with about three cents worth of metal.

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Way I see this, is that it is being thrown away likely because they were in the process of cleaning and it broke... What do you do while you clean? ..Throw your other junk away... 9 outta 10 times there's other goodies sitting inside that aren't seen when driving by.

Just another excuse to pick up those 3 cent poles.

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Originally Posted by Russell

In an unending search for things scrap able or re usable, I've found two more things. First - light bulbs. I find an incredible amount of lamps being thrown out. Some are scrap able some are not, most still have light bulbs. This isn't life changing but, its a good way to save a buck, especially for those living on a shoestring budget.

Secondly- luggage. I don't see any scrappers breaking off the aluminum retractable handles. I've heard of folks taking luggage or checking it out. I believe that's a longshot to find a ring or envelope full of money. It's unlikely and they are bulky and can harbor bed bugs from hotels. However I found that a few good twists on the retractable towing handles will usually break em off.

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Light bulbs are great. Haven't bought them in years and have plenty to last years more.. A side note, the bottom part of the bulb is aluminum, and sometimes brass if colored differently. Cleans up nicely with a few crunches of a 4lb hammer.

Luggage also has aluminum zipper pulls (sometimes brass or steel), and a steel support frame. The outter edge seams are also magnetic. All you gotta do is zip through the fabric with an angle grinder.
The button snaps from what I have seen are usually brass or steel.

Luggage, purses, handbags, laptop briefcases, duffels, backpacks...Any of the sort always get picked up by me. If you check the inside of the bag for tears in the corners of the inner lining, there's a good chance SOMETHING has gotten stuck in there before it was cleaned out and trashed. I have found gold and silver jewelry in these pockets...Usually just spare change or make-up doodads, though.

And household batteries... Many electronics use them, and found very often. I have some little electronic games that I keep to specifically check battery life. I haven't bought batteries in years either.

Like said, not a life changer money maker, but could save you a tall boy or two.

That's true rca, I've had a battery tester so long I can't recall just how long it's been. It doesn't even need a battery! Except the one you're testing ; ) Micronta 22-032A, must have got it at a yard sale somewhere or something. It does button cell 1.5V lithium 3v AAA AA photo 6V 9V 12V(even auto ones) 15V and 22.5 impossible to even guess how many times I've used that thing. In the red, it's pretty well dead, in the green, it's got a charge, and the higher the needle goes, the better charge it has. Haha! WARNING This instrument has no user serviceable parts DO NOT Remove this cover. ( I wonder what kind of board it's got in there? ; )

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Originally Posted by Bear

That's true rca, I've had a battery tester so long I can't recall just how long it's been. It doesn't even need a battery! Except the one you're testing ; ) Micronta 22-032A, must have got it at a yard sale somewhere or something. It does button cell 1.5V lithium 3v AAA AA photo 6V 9V 12V(even auto ones) 15V and 22.5 impossible to even guess how many times I've used that thing. In the red, it's pretty well dead, in the green, it's got a charge, and the higher the needle goes, the better charge it has. Haha! WARNING This instrument has no user serviceable parts DO NOT Remove this cover. ( I wonder what kind of board it's got in there? ; )

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Brown board, low grade.

Didnt have to get gas for the lawnmower all summer from gas left in the mowers before i scrapped them. Also, the twist on spout from plastic red gas cans will screw onto a lawnmower gas tank. easy way to get it out but watch out that the oil dont spill.

Classic example today of this broom stick theory. I was cruising through a neighborhood on my way to pick up some stuff a lady had called me about, and I see a few of those little metal H frames that political signs are usually on sticking out of a trash can. Well I stopped, figuring at worst I am atleast picking something up for stopping.. Turns out there was two sets of oxy/acetlyene pressure gauges just below surface level. As well as some steel housing for fans.

The bonus for me was the camo hunting vest and jacket that was underneath it all.

Absolutely hilarious, I have done a lot of the same things stopped and picked up a couple of purses turns out I found a dollar or two and a 1GB USB Drive in them, another time stopped and picked up a stereo and over next to the trash was a couple dollars worth of returnable pop cans.

Careful bro, you might find a needle there as well!!

My normal roadside finds, depends on if its hunting season or fishing weather, lifejackets,boats cushions,duck decoys,and one fanny seat ya can install some kind of warmer in.every once in a while a fishing pole, usually broken.

Sharp curves and bumpy railroad tracks are great places to look around at sometimes too ; )

Busted ceramic lamps I'll salvage the cord, socket, bulb and misc parts from if they're new. Some of the older lamps are worth reselling if it's ugly or old it's normally worth researching, but many times they need a cord or the socket replaced. Found a few nice shades some still wrapped in plastic (I guess so they don't have to dust them) also on broken lamps that I'll save for other ones.

I always check luggage. Throw it in back of the truck and open it up outside later, I've found money, keychains, a pocketknife, Many times it will be stuffed with other things, sometimes trash, and sometimes not.

Plastic tool cases, tackle boxes another one I always stop to check.

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Busted ceramic lamps I'll salvage the cord, socket, bulb and misc parts from if they're new. Some of the older lamps are worth reselling if it's ugly or old it's normally worth researching, but many times they need a cord or the socket replaced. Found a few nice shades some still wrapped in plastic (I guess so they don't have to dust them) also on broken lamps that I'll save for other ones.

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Curbside, I've salvaged parts from lamps for my reuse as well. However, this post reminded me of a conversation I had with an electrician who I network with. He said that if you're reselling any electrical device it needs to be CSA or UL certified. A lot of old electrical equipment isn't. In fact, in Canada, an individual's responsibility for ensuring the safety of the products they're reselling extends to a lot more than just electrical equipment. The following is a link to Health Canada's web site detailing recalled products. It's searchable by keyword, product category and year. High on the list are child/infant related products. I'm guessing the US has similar rules in place.

Facts for Garage Sale Vendors [Health Canada, 2012]

If that were the case here Otto, every church rumage sale, antique dealer, ebay seller, and thrift shop around would be out of business.

Recalled products are another thing, you can not legally resell anything that was subject to a recall.

UL certification is not a requirement in the USA, although most manufactured items will have it as a sign of quality and safety.

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Originally Posted by greytruck

Didnt have to get gas for the lawnmower all summer from gas left in the mowers before i scrapped them. Also, the twist on spout from plastic red gas cans will screw onto a lawnmower gas tank. easy way to get it out but watch out that the oil dont spill.

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the one on the mower has to vented in some cases , I know I mixed them up once lol

stopped on the side of the road yesterday for a cardboard box not expecting much but an empty box. had 3 fans and an extension cord inside not a bad score seeing as my house fan finally died this fall and i scrapped it. ahh they dont make them like they used to i like the old fans with the aluminum blades:)

If it's in a lamp, I'll take the bulb, but otherwise I don't haul glass home. Incandescent bulbs waste electricity. I started replacing my fluorescents with LEDs. Same lumens, no mercury, longer life.

Most of the lightbulbs in my place I got from scrap.

Its funny when someone who has never been there, asks "Why are all your lightbulbs so tiny?"
"'Cos I get them from ovens that I have scrapped"

Actually, my oven, dishwasher, fridge, Tv's, flat top stove, washing machine, lawnmower, tools, Cable Tv box, video, DVD player, stereo's, pushbike, deep freeze, clothes dryer, microwave oven, fridge/freezer, pots 'n pans, computers, wheel barrow, brooms 'n shovels, motorbike, bolts/nails/screws, lightbulbs, fax, storage containers, rubbish drums & sewing machines.

All came from the 'side of the road'.......

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Originally Posted by eesakiwi

Most of the lightbulbs in my place I got from scrap.

Its funny when someone who has never been there, asks "Why are all your lightbulbs so tiny?"
"'Cos I get them from ovens that I have scrapped"

Actually, my oven, dishwasher, fridge, Tv's, flat top stove, washing machine, lawnmower, tools, Cable Tv box, video, DVD player, stereo's, pushbike, deep freeze, clothes dryer, microwave oven, fridge/freezer, pots 'n pans, computers, wheel barrow, brooms 'n shovels, motorbike, bolts/nails/screws, lightbulbs, fax, storage containers, rubbish drums & sewing machines.

All came from the 'side of the road'.......

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Pretty much the same here, I just don't tell my wife that :)

Ive posted about this before but I'll say it again.
I always pick up old vintage suitcases, as I can usually sell them for 5-10 bucks, found $35 face value in silver dimes with 2 new $50 bills wrapped around them in an old suitcase one day.
Another thing as artwork, I've found pieces by listed artist and pieces that I picked up just because they had an aluminum frame. One that I brought home becouse of the frame, I found an auction listing from Christies in London, KRAMER, Pierre | ZERMATT | 19th & 20th Century Posters Auction</li> | posters, ski & winter sports | Christie's . The glass was broken so they tossed it out, it still had the sticker on the back where it was purchased from a high end art store in the 60's-70's.

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Originally Posted by eesakiwi

Most of the lightbulbs in my place I got from scrap.

Its funny when someone who has never been there, asks "Why are all your lightbulbs so tiny?"
"'Cos I get them from ovens that I have scrapped"

Actually, my oven, dishwasher, fridge, Tv's, flat top stove, washing machine, lawnmower, tools, Cable Tv box, video, DVD player, stereo's, pushbike, deep freeze, clothes dryer, microwave oven, fridge/freezer, pots 'n pans, computers, wheel barrow, brooms 'n shovels, motorbike, bolts/nails/screws, lightbulbs, fax, storage containers, rubbish drums & sewing machines.

All came from the 'side of the road'.......

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It has become something of a family joke that "the junk provides". Whenever I need a lightbulb, a battery, cable for the TV, extension cord, etc. I go to the basement and poke around through my garbage pickens' and always have what I need. Just yesterday, one of my daughters asked if I had found a TV and DVD player that she could have (the laptop that she normally uses is on the fritz). Had working models of both items setting in the basement. Got her hooked up in minutes.

same thing here, if there is a box next to the trash can i always check it, last night i found several small appliances, aluminum pans and bonus an unopened set of watercolors. i can't scrap these but will make a great gift for my niece who loves to paint.

found an really old microwave, had woodgrain exterior, heaviest one ive ever come across about 80 pounds. Big transformer in it.

I forgot the kitchen sink, 2 stainless steel & 2 formica topped as work benches.

So, everything, including the kitchen sink!

All those hide-a-beds on the curb. The frames are metal, the mattress is mostly metal. Mattresses have a good spring set in them and easy to tear into with an exacto knife. Garbage disposals, old fans, water pumps, brass hose ends. all finds on curbs. I save all the rusted tools and nuts and bolts also.

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Originally Posted by greytruck

the twist on spout from plastic red gas cans will screw onto a lawnmower gas tank.

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When I see an older vintage gas can I ALWAYS grab them. First off my roadname is B-No and so I've collect gas cans over the years, secondly the spouts are great and they sell well on eBay. NO ONE likes the new safety caps on gas cans nowadays!