Tools of the trade

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

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.

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.

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

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

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...

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.

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!

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.

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?

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.