Page 10 of 12 FirstFirst ... 89101112 LastLast
Results 181 to 200 of 229

A Tumbleweeds View of Scrapping - Page 10

| A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
  1. #181
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by DakotaRog View Post
    Don't sell yourself short! I don't have my own semi-truck so I must be a wee toddler compared to you
    I would not have one either if it were not for scrapping. You know the distances I travel and the machinery I haul. My life has been blessed in many ways and retirement has been a great learning opportunity and journey. Every day presents a new challenge so I consider myself a babe in this business.

    Give back more to this world than we take.

  2. The Following User Says Thank You to Patriot76 for This Post:



  3. #182
    dyepes's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Tampa, FL
    Posts
    34
    Thanks
    26
    Thanked 30 Times in 19 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Patriot76 View Post
    and six not dedicated yet.
    Do you come across zinc?? I find zinc as some car parts, heat sinks in old projection televisions, occasional plumbing, fixtures, knobs and handles of furniture. is there a particular way to identify zinc, I usually find i painted.

    In any case, perhaps you find it often and maybe one of the tubs could be for zinc?? I also read on oil and precious metal websites that zinc prices will be increasing over the next few years due to several mine closures. Could be some appetite from yards coming soon.

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to dyepes for This Post:


  5. #183
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by dyepes View Post
    Do you come across zinc?? I find zinc as some car parts, heat sinks in old projection televisions, occasional plumbing, fixtures, knobs and handles of furniture. is there a particular way to identify zinc, I usually find i painted.

    In any case, perhaps you find it often and maybe one of the tubs could be for zinc?? I also read on oil and precious metal websites that zinc prices will be increasing over the next few years due to several mine closures. Could be some appetite from yards coming soon.
    Thank you for the insight. I do come across zinc periodically, but not enough to dedicate a chemical tote. Zinc goes into 20 gallon mineral tubs, something I have not talked about much.

    My system (not claiming it is the best, but the one I use) most material is put into five gallon buckets. When I have enough of a certain material it is transferred into the 20 gallon mineral tubs. When I have enough a chemical tote is dedicated to a specific item. Earlier it was stated that non ferrous was hauled once a year. That claim cannot be made for the last two years because of prices and other projects. Therefore the shed is getting full.

  6. #184
    DakotaRog's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Aug 2014
    Posts
    1,611
    Thanks
    602
    Thanked 1,675 Times in 830 Posts
    I turn in some "die-cast" once and awhile, its majority zinc.

    So, if zinc is going to get more expensive, is the fed gov going to give up on the penny (currently since the middle of 1982 run, 97.2% zinc because copper was too expensive)...? Just be like our brothern to the north and round everything up to the nearest nickel...

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to DakotaRog for This Post:


  8. #185
    ragstoriches's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Western MA
    Posts
    134
    Thanks
    448
    Thanked 180 Times in 70 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by DakotaRog View Post
    I turn in some "die-cast" once and awhile, its majority zinc.

    So, if zinc is going to get more expensive, is the fed gov going to give up on the penny (currently since the middle of 1982 run, 97.2% zinc because copper was too expensive)...? Just be like our brothern to the north and round everything up to the nearest nickel...
    Iron core with copper or nickel clad seems to be the way minting coins is going in other countries unfortunately.

  9. #186
    DakotaRog's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Aug 2014
    Posts
    1,611
    Thanks
    602
    Thanked 1,675 Times in 830 Posts
    I think the Canadian dime and quarter are now stainless steel. The boys to the north will correct me if I'm wrong. The U.S. mint has talked about redoing the nickel (currently 85% copper) to a cheaper metal but haven't pulled the trigger yet. We'll see...

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to DakotaRog for This Post:


  11. #187
    ragstoriches's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Western MA
    Posts
    134
    Thanks
    448
    Thanked 180 Times in 70 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by DakotaRog View Post
    I think the Canadian dime and quarter are now stainless steel. The boys to the north will correct me if I'm wrong. The U.S. mint has talked about redoing the nickel (currently 85% copper) to a cheaper metal but haven't pulled the trigger yet. We'll see...
    Maybe. I found one at the beach metal detecting and the core was dissolving and the nickel plate was collapsing in. Sad to see coinage like that. It really reflects the state of the world!

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to ragstoriches for This Post:


  13. #188
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    It is time for updating this old thread. The low prices and many surgeries have limited my activity in this area of my life. I was asked on another thread to provide pictures of my latest challenges and this seemed to be the best place for an update among the many other threads I have started. For the last several years the focus was stockpiling metal, cleaning shelter belts, and reclaiming old homesteads.

    Since the start of the New Year, 15 tons of metal have been hauled to the scrap yard. Still using the Silver Bullet, tub trailer, 30 ft. gooseneck, and 40 ft. gooseneck trailers. Sold the semi, F-450, one loader, and a couple of trailers. I had to say good bye to my two labs this year so I am on my own with the varmints. Ammo is hard to find, but my stockpile should last the rest of my life, assuming I shoot straight.

    That leaves three employees on my payroll, me, myself, and I. I usually fire me and myself once a week because of disagreements on how to proceed, but within a week I cool down and hire them both back. This type of work is to hard for just one person. Wanted to share what life is like in the Buffalo Commons.

    [IMG][/IMG]

    [IMG][/IMG]

  14. The Following 4 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  15. #189
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    Survival and life is a challenge in this part of the country. This time of the year the geese have migrated south, the deer are in their winter ranges, cattle are in feed lots in case of a blizzard, and people do not move around much without a good reason. If I see one vehicle driving 15 miles into town it is considered a traffic jam. To put it into perspective, the closest stop light is 55 miles away, the closest stop sign 15 mi., and within 15 mi. there is two gas stations, four bars, and a grocery store. This is human hibernation and some wonder why we did not have to shut down our businesses because of the virus.

    We are in the fly zone so pictures like this are common in the late fall and early winter.

    [IMG][/IMG]

    [IMG][/IMG]

    [IMG][/IMG]

  16. The Following 4 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  17. #190
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    The posts above are a sample of the grace and wonders I enjoy everyday in my office, the great outdoors. This work and lifestyle is totally dependent on mother nature and you learn to survive in the elements. So it is time for some of the scrapping.

    Vehicles are prepared by removing all fluids, non ferrous with easy access, gas tanks, cats, and all tires. After the initial stripping, vehicles are turned on there sides to access underneath.

    [IMG][/IMG]

    This is a picture of a typical scrap site when I show up.

    [IMG][/IMG]

    [IMG][/IMG]

  18. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  19. #191
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    A torch is used to remove lug nuts from the wheels since most are rusted (welded on). Sometimes things go haywire and a tire will catch on fire. This is the result:

    [IMG][/IMG]

  20. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  21. #192
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    This is one of the loads hauled from this site. I explained earlier in this thread how I secure these loads, so it will not be repeated. I have been complimented by the Highway Patrol ( I got stopped twice in the last eight years for tail lights) so it is assumed it is legal at least here.

    [IMG][/IMG]

    [IMG][/IMG]

  22. The Following 5 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  23. #193
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    That is my forty ft. trailer in the previous post. It will haul up to six vehicles when loaded correctly.

    Another example of the beauty that is presented on a daily basis. I do not watch much TV and now you will understand why.

    [IMG][/IMG]

    [IMG][/IMG]

  24. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  25. #194
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    My life is blessed in many ways, many pastimes that I love, beautiful scenery, and total freedom. Contrary to our governors advocating it, please do not plan to move here, you might just get in the way. Just kidding.

    The next pictures are down the road from our cabin in Wyoming. With all the rules for social distancing and isolation, I thought some might like to see what the real world is like. I am not a professional photographer, just an old fart that is finally taking the time to stop and smell the roses.

    [IMG][/IMG]

    [IMG][/IMG]

    [IMG][/IMG]

  26. The Following 5 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  27. #195
    TexasDeere's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Spring, TX (Houston Suburb)
    Posts
    68
    Thanks
    15
    Thanked 46 Times in 19 Posts
    Love seeing these posts.

  28. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by TexasDeere:


  29. #196
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    Building a good relationship with the scrap yard has benefits. This is the last of the load from the previous job site. It is parked next to the loading area for the rail cars. Most customers have to be unloaded in the yard, waiting in line to be unloaded so it ca be sorted. My loads are always clean so I am unloaded up front directly into the gondola cars. If I have to go back into the yard for unprepared items I am moved to the front of the line because I can maneuver my trailer to back out before the load ahead of me can move through the maze.

    I have not hauled much in the last few years, but my relationship and reputation still allows for this treatment. This is not meant to brag, only to help others maximize their profit. Show respect for the employees and they will make your life a lot easier.

    [IMG][/IMG]

  30. The Following 5 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  31. #197
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    A little about my business plan, I do not buy metal outright. Instead it is done on a land-lease format, 1/3 to the owner and 2/3 to me. I cover all expenses including hauling to the yard. When considering time, wear and tear on equipment, flat tires, etc. most are happy with the deal. Providing pictures of the loads and weigh sheets they do not doubt they are treated fairly. Only one client made a counter offer which was declined so no deal was reached.

    He contacted me last week and wanted to know if the offer was still good from four years ago. This will be the next chapter in this thread. It starts with three combines and only gets better each time we visit. As a successful rancher he thought he could do it himself. He got tired of torn up equipment and rejected loads and took his neighbors advice and hired it done. A friend has been helping him, but also decided to hire his done. That challenge will be later in the winter.

    Motto to consider, under promise and over achieve. The timeline promised was to start next week. All equipment was hauled on sight today. He was told ten days for each combine, expectation is each will take five days. If the weather holds, it should be completed in half the time his wife expects. Now if completed as promised, she will be a happy camper. If completed in half the time, he will have a smile on his face the next day. With any luck, she will too.

  32. The Following 9 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  33. #198
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    Time to go to work. Under promise and over achieve. The project was started two days ago, a full week before it was promised. Owner expects the first of three combines to be completed by Feb. 2. and the other two completed by the end of February, if the weather holds.

    The first combine is a 7700 John Deere. The weight of this combine is estimated to be 10 tons. To get to the weight you have to remove the shell and then deal with all the cast iron pulleys and idlers. When recommendations were solicited for the community water tanks the strategy of how to eat an elephant, one bite at a time was highlighted. This strategy has been the cornerstone of many challenges, including this one. This will be a bite at a time.

    To start a picture of the combine.

    [IMG][/IMG]

  34. #199
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    Combines are a complicated machine that are an engineers nightmare. It is even worse for a mechanic that has to repair them. They are a combination of belts, hydraulics, and conveyor belts that are held together by a hair pin. For those that do not understand, ask your grandmother. My responsibility is to break down this monster without hurting my self or my equipment. Some might think it is easy to break things, but it you do not take the time to study your challenge you will pay a price.

    Starting to skin the cat.

    [IMG][/IMG]

  35. The Following User Says Thank You to Patriot76 for This Post:


  36. #200
    Patriot76 started this thread.
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    What a mess.

    [IMG][/IMG]

  37. The Following 5 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:



  38. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. Hello everyone new to e scraping
      By conrad4784 in forum Introduce yourself
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 04-01-2021, 04:10 AM
    2. New to scraping
      By Suzyq in forum Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
      Replies: 21
      Last Post: 03-25-2021, 10:17 AM
    3. Scrapping from a slightly Different Point of View
      By ASOS in forum Introduce yourself
      Replies: 16
      Last Post: 09-18-2014, 01:07 PM
    4. Must Install Photo Uploader to View Item ?
      By Bear in forum Off Topic Discussions
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 02-10-2014, 11:26 PM
    5. Well did my pickups today / view of my shop. LOTS OF PICS. 56K not ok
      By drozenski in forum A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
      Replies: 20
      Last Post: 04-20-2012, 12:05 AM

Page 10 of 12 FirstFirst ... 89101112 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook