Hoping to start a scrapping gig in retirement

Hello all, I'm hoping to move to God's Country, Free America - North Idaho when I retire, which will hopefully be soon. At first I thought I'd like to have an auto salvage yard but because of this site I've become interested in salvaging "Smalls" like computers and things that can be done from a small rented (At first) industrial condominium. Much less start up expense, many fewer regulations and much smaller footprint, indoors.

Does anyone have recommendations as to other items to be salvaged, smaller than cars? I've heard of guys buying and parting motorcycles, and another guy that started buying old chainsaws on CL, disassembling them and selling the parts on ebay. He started out doing it by himself and now has 4 high schoolers disassembling chainsaws.

I'm particularly interested in scrapping computers. I've read through a few of the threads here and found them amazingly interesting. I thought I read in one of the threads that there is a dedicated thread to computer scrapping, but I haven't found it yet, if someone can provide link?

I have a few questions, where do you locate computers in large quantities? Is it from old businesses or do you go to every yard sale offering to haul off old electronics? Are there other electronics other than computers that are worthy of a scrap operation?

Thanks in advance for any and all input.

Welcome to the forum. Computers, network switches and phone systems offer the most bang for the buck. Best way to get your hands on stuff is by networking. Another option is auctions but the stuff usually goes for way more than scrap value there. I suppose others are buying for resale value or repair and resale.

On the main page of the forum there is a section devoted to electronics recycling.

Another item to scrap that I have considered, but have not yet done, is fire extinguishers. If you use the search feature here you can learn all about those too.

Best of Luck to you in all your ventures,
Cheryl

Welcome from Mesa Az to this site. I am a retired guy who does what you would like to do. I don't limit myself to scrapping anything in particular. Most of all I don't buy anything. It's all given to me. I get calls from people all the time asking if I can pick up their store room overflow or a trailer load of appliances or their yard sale leftovers. Here in Mesa Az there is a lot of competition for recyclables. E-waste especially. The local university auctions off it's old computers and other electronics like hard drives once a month. Went to one auction but never even got to bid. People were fighting over the stuff bidding what I thought was a ridiculous amount for what appeared to be nothing but scrap metal towers. They must know something I don't. Yesterday I had a call from a lady who had a rental home. She gave me everything the tenants left behind. Three electric lawnmowers, A large band saw, Patio furniture and a nice grill. All in good working order that can be sold for profit. Today I am picking up a running 1998 Jeep Cherokee with a clear title that was given to me. Keep an open mind when chosing what to scrap out and most of all keep your overhead low and have fun.

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Originally Posted by Scrapit4you

Hello all, I'm hoping to move to God's Country, Free America - North Idaho when I retire, which will hopefully be soon. At first I thought I'd like to have an auto salvage yard but because of this site I've become interested in salvaging "Smalls" like computers and things that can be done from a small rented (At first) industrial condominium. Much less start up expense, many fewer regulations and much smaller footprint, indoors.

Does anyone have recommendations as to other items to be salvaged, smaller than cars? I've heard of guys buying and parting motorcycles, and another guy that started buying old chainsaws on CL, disassembling them and selling the parts on ebay. He started out doing it by himself and now has 4 high schoolers disassembling chainsaws.

I'm particularly interested in scrapping computers. I've read through a few of the threads here and found them amazingly interesting. I thought I read in one of the threads that there is a dedicated thread to computer scrapping, but I haven't found it yet, if someone can provide link?

I have a few questions, where do you locate computers in large quantities? Is it from old businesses or do you go to every yard sale offering to haul off old electronics? Are there other electronics other than computers that are worthy of a scrap operation?

Thanks in advance for any and all input.

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I have been scrapping for years and I am retiring from my job in Jan. on the 31st , now to go fulltime , my goal is low I would like to make 1000 a month , I like computers but favorite is Microwaves, I got really fast at it and it seems to get me the most bang for my labor, Once retired I will branch out into resale , I am sure you will do fine, hard work always pays off!

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Originally Posted by submarinepainter

I have been scrapping for years and I am retiring from my job in Jan. on the 31st , now to go fulltime , my goal is low I would like to make 1000 a month , I like computers but favorite is Microwaves, I got really fast at it and it seems to get me the most bang for my labor, Once retired I will branch out into resale , I am sure you will do fine, hard work always pays off!

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I've only scrapped one microwave. Surprised to hear you favor them. Wondering if you would share a little more about your payout. I just had two of them that I gave away. If you can help me understand the value that would be great. Thanks!

Welcome to the forum. Read all the old threads to start your education. You may find other areas that will make you money. Further I suggest you start slow and small in the beginning.


The extra reading will pay off for you, I promise. 73, Mike

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Originally Posted by HipoGear

I've only scrapped one microwave. Surprised to hear you favor them. Wondering if you would share a little more about your payout. I just had two of them that I gave away. If you can help me understand the value that would be great. Thanks!

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Older microwaves, anything that's got the 'woodgrain style' and up to year 2000 normally has a Copper wire coiled transformer in it.
They are about 2lbs - 1Kg of Copper in each one and they can be taken apart with a small axe or a hammer.

Because the transformers Iron core is 'Stacked' not 'Interlaced', the whole transformer will break into two parts and then you can bash the two Copper coils out of the 'E' stack.
That's the quick money.... Undo 8 screws, cut a few wires and drop the transformer out and scrap it.

Or, there's clean Copper wire in the fan and in the turntable motor underneath the microwave as well.
There's also a small transformer on the electric board, a Silver mylar, a Silver/Copper contacts in a relay.

Go further and there's two nice very strong magnets and some Aluminium and some Copper wire in the magnetron, but don't break the pink or white ceramic on the actual magnetron, its often got Beryllium in it and its dangerous, best to consider that's its all got the Beryllium and simply don't bother with it.
Its dangerous when its broken and the dust is inhaled, its like asbestos where it takes 10-20 years and then suddenly it roots you for life.
If you have access to a metal lathe its possible to cut the end caps of the magnetron off for the 80grams of Solid Copper in each one, its best to just put them aside and do 100 at a time.

So, you can get differing amounts depending on how much work you put into it.

There's also the safety switches that you can possibly sell here on SMF to a buyer.
And the plastic coated Copper wire, that adds up.
The magnets can be sold too, eBay I guess, very strong magnets, very handy.

Disclaimer.....
Newer microwaves often have a double Aluminium coil, or one Aluminium/one Copper coil in the main transformer.
A microwave with a 'Griller element' will only have Aluminium transformers in it.
A 'Invertor microwave' has no transformer and has only 100grams of Copper wire in the invertor.

Non disclaimer,
Some microwaves still work.... Because someone overcooked popcorn in it and its reeks.. And chucked it.
Some microwaves only need the safety switches and the main fuses replaced to get it going again, they weld shut when the doors opened while its working and that blows the main fuse.
Some Arc at the !title window inside, often its just a fat/oil buildup, clean the mica window and see if that stops it, possibly have to replace the mica window with a new uncarbonised one.
Platters and bearing rings and drive cogs can possibly be sold on eBay too.
Some people get attached to a certain model of microwave, because they know how to work it, or its the right size for their kitchen, or such. They will pay good money on eBay for that certain one.

Great information, thank to all. This forum has a lot of knowledgable people with a lot of clever ideas. I'm looking forward to continuing to drill down through the great threads. Thanks

I do really well with the glass turntable. $15-20 on eBay as long as you note the model it came out of.

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Originally Posted by eesakiwi

Older microwaves, anything that's got the 'woodgrain style' and up to year 2000 normally has a Copper wire coiled transformer in it.
They are about 2lbs - 1Kg of Copper in each one and they can be taken apart with a small axe or a hammer.

Because the transformers Iron core is 'Stacked' not 'Interlaced', the whole transformer will break into two parts and then you can bash the two Copper coils out of the 'E' stack.
That's the quick money.... Undo 8 screws, cut a few wires and drop the transformer out and scrap it.

Or, there's clean Copper wire in the fan and in the turntable motor underneath the microwave as well.
There's also a small transformer on the electric board, a Silver mylar, a Silver/Copper contacts in a relay.

Go further and there's two nice very strong magnets and some Aluminium and some Copper wire in the magnetron, but don't break the pink or white ceramic on the actual magnetron, its often got Beryllium in it and its dangerous, best to consider that's its all got the Beryllium and simply don't bother with it.
Its dangerous when its broken and the dust is inhaled, its like asbestos where it takes 10-20 years and then suddenly it roots you for life.
If you have access to a metal lathe its possible to cut the end caps of the magnetron off for the 80grams of Solid Copper in each one, its best to just put them aside and do 100 at a time.

So, you can get differing amounts depending on how much work you put into it.

There's also the safety switches that you can possibly sell here on SMF to a buyer.
And the plastic coated Copper wire, that adds up.
The magnets can be sold too, eBay I guess, very strong magnets, very handy.

Disclaimer.....
Newer microwaves often have a double Aluminium coil, or one Aluminium/one Copper coil in the main transformer.
A microwave with a 'Griller element' will only have Aluminium transformers in it.
A 'Invertor microwave' has no transformer and has only 100grams of Copper wire in the invertor.

Non disclaimer,
Some microwaves still work.... Because someone overcooked popcorn in it and its reeks.. And chucked it.
Some microwaves only need the safety switches and the main fuses replaced to get it going again, they weld shut when the doors opened while its working and that blows the main fuse.
Some Arc at the !title window inside, often its just a fat/oil buildup, clean the mica window and see if that stops it, possibly have to replace the mica window with a new uncarbonised one.
Platters and bearing rings and drive cogs can possibly be sold on eBay too.
Some people get attached to a certain model of microwave, because they know how to work it, or its the right size for their kitchen, or such. They will pay good money on eBay for that certain one.

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