New from Alaska- Hello!

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08-13-2018, 10:45 AM
M923

New from Alaska- Hello!

Hi all,

I've already started a couple threads but figured I should take the time to actually introduce myself. I admittedly didn't originally since I had only one question but since I seem to be spending more time on the forum I thought I should make the official announcement.

I've gotten a bit interested in scrapping after living in a couple places in rural Alaska where recycling anything at all (even paper and plastic) wasn't exactly an option. I cringe to think of how much money I could have made even growing up for eight years rurally, with aluminum/tin cans and junk appliances, etc from our household- and I don't even live in a beverage container deposit state! (Although I'm originally from California, which is)

I've always enjoyed demolition and heavy equipment, would absolutely LOVE to work in a scrap yard. Anyone else like this?

I'm an FMV (Former Military Vehicle) guy, hence a couple of my threads. Oddly enough one of the things that got me interested in the scrap metal world was "What would it take to cut one of these up?"

I'm hoping to learn a lot. Now I'm having ideas, as a college student, about trying to junk cars for some side income. Feel free to tell me I'm crazy, I'm young (20) and still have lots of learning to do yet. Anybody else from Alaska on here?

The first vehicle I've ever owned is an AM General M928A1 5 ton 6x5 army truck made into a fire truck by some Texas fire department, hence one of my threads regarding junking the bed if I couldn't sell it, or worst case, the entire truck, if the (nonrunning) truck turns out to be too much of a project or I lost storage space on it. I had the evil idea to just wait until scrap hit 190/ton or better and then just have it towed to the scrap yard, but since most places and states insist on the owner being physically present I have decided to keep it. It may even become a heck of a scrap hauler!

Thanks for having me! Would like to mingle and make connections, feel free to PM me etc!

-Andy
08-13-2018, 11:34 AM
wildliferacer

Hello, welcome to the forum! hope you enjoy your stay here :)
08-13-2018, 03:25 PM
Patriot76

Welcome to SMF from the state of Absaroka (parts of Wyoming, South Dakota, and Montana). We met before because of the topics you presented were interesting and a challenge for some of us. As far as scrapping cars your challenge would be the same as mine, overcoming the distance variable. Many on the forum have indicated they have made a good living specializing in selling parts for more than scrap value and scrapping the rest. You will find a great deal of information from the experts in the archives of the forum. Use the advanced search button in the top right hand corner of this page to start your research. You will also notice similar threads at the bottom of each page. Doing a little research will help you decide what questions to ask and give you insight into the personalities of the members. Good luck and I look forward to your contributions. We do love pictures.
08-14-2018, 04:33 AM
miked

Welcome to the forum. Patriot76 gave the best advise.

I do recall one of our members from Alaska selling copper on ebay as a way to get a better price than he could locally. He would stuff a USPS Medium Flat Rate box full of copper and sell it that way.

Your biggest problem might be shipping your scrap to someone who will buy it. Quantity will always help out. 73, Mike
08-14-2018, 11:01 AM
M923

Quote:

Originally Posted by miked

Welcome to the forum. Patriot76 gave the best advise.

I do recall one of our members from Alaska selling copper on ebay as a way to get a better price than he could locally. He would stuff a USPS Medium Flat Rate box full of copper and sell it that way.

Your biggest problem might be shipping your scrap to someone who will buy it. Quantity will always help out. 73, Mike

Yeah, I expect that even in Fairbanks prices might not be all that great.
08-14-2018, 05:45 PM
hills

Welcome to the forum Andy ! :)

It seems like Alaska would be a different kettle of fish from the lower 48. I wonder if it's like the off shore islands here in Maine. They're pretty remote because everything has to come over by boat. Transportation is expensive so it costs a lot to buy anything new when you live on an island. The islanders save and reuse everything. Screws, nails, wood, pieces of old equipment reinvented to some other purpose. They're pretty resourceful people. Nothing gets wasted.

I wonder if you might be able to make some money on the side by wheeling and dealing in used car,truck,atv, and snow mobile parts.

Do folks there generally go for used or do they prefer to buy new ?
08-14-2018, 10:46 PM
M923

Quote:

Originally Posted by hills

Welcome to the forum Andy ! :)

It seems like Alaska would be a different kettle of fish from the lower 48. I wonder if it's like the off shore islands here in Maine. They're pretty remote because everything has to come over by boat. Transportation is expensive so it costs a lot to buy anything new when you live on an island. The islanders save and reuse everything. Screws, nails, wood, pieces of old equipment reinvented to some other purpose. They're pretty resourceful people. Nothing gets wasted.

I wonder if you might be able to make some money on the side by wheeling and dealing in used car,truck,atv, and snow mobile parts.

Do folks there generally go for used or do they prefer to buy new ?

Thanks for the warm welcome! I remember your posts on another thread of mine. According to others, SMF now has an ultra comprehensive, thread to end all threads on "Torching a 5 ton 6x6 to the ground".

Having lived on islands in AK, I can say that I myself reused everything, down to straightening nails. But in Fairbanks, it may be a different story. There are private junkyards all over the back roads; honestly, my dream is to start hauling loads in from those placed but we shall see.