Found an old FURNACE in the dumpster

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10-04-2011, 09:24 AM
Dumpster-Dee

Found an old FURNACE in the dumpster

Made my usual Sun. afternoon dumpster rounds and whoa...someone moved or cleaned out big time. Furnace (3x6) still had some brass and wiring...saw all kinds of other good stuff.....BUT, I already had 1/2 truck load and no trailer. SO...I jumped back in and headed to my nearest relative's house to get a trailer !! Ten minutes later it was all still there and MORE....so I'm thanking God and throwing things in and a ratty looking
truck comes up pulling a ratty looking trailer with more stuff....uh-oh....COMPETITION !!! The furnace is still in the dumpster....what should I do ? Yell that I was here first ??? I took the high road..."Hi, are you pickin' or dumpin' ?" "DUMPING". Music to my hearing aides !!! So I help them dump, they give me what I want and help me put the furnace on my trailer !! Sweet. Now my question is: SHOULD I TAKE THE FURNACE APART OR SCRAP IT IN ONE BIG PIECE? WHAT IS IN IT? CAN I MAKE ANY MONEY? WHAT KIND OF METAL IS IT?

My apologies to my older forum friends who went apoplectic after reading the first question and "your welcome" to all my good buddies who got the joke right away and had a good laugh !!! For newbs who still don't get it: stick around and you will !!

It really was one of my best dumpster hauls and I'm having fun sorting (and deciding what to "hoard") and getting everything ready for a nice payday !
10-04-2011, 10:06 AM
mrbillbus

I get the joke but that doesn't mean I find it funny.

FWIW I am a member on a woodworking board. When a newby shows up and asks a question that has been asked a bazillion times, the response is "welcome to the best dang forum on the internet". Their question gets answered with a gentle direction towards the search function. IOW they make it a point to prove they are a great group of folks willing to share their knowledge and insight.

I don't know, maybe it's because they are dealing with a hobby while this place is more about the job. Either way, it is disheartening to me how new folks can be treated on this board.

For those of you who don't suffer fools gladly; do you suppose someone who already knew everything would come here? People are asking you because they believe that you can help them. They ask with respect for your collective knowledge and the response is disrespectful!?!?! To me it seems like no response makes more sense than sarcasm, bitterness and mean replies. But then, that's how my momma raised me.

Bill
10-04-2011, 10:36 AM
hobo finds

Dee it looks like you are slacking! You should have had them load the furnace on there trailer and then deliver it to your house!
10-04-2011, 10:48 AM
Filthy

mrbillbus, the more you read through the forum, the more you will get a sense of the good-natured/chain-pulling attitudes of most of the consistant members.

Congrats, Dee! i always look forward to stuff like then when i hop in a dumpster. its like opening presents.... sometimes you get that brand new toy, and sometimes you get socks. i still take the socks, but i get more excited for the toy!
10-04-2011, 11:08 AM
KzScrapper

Nice work Dee! And Bill...Maybe we are a little harsh on some but I try and keep it to the folks that are acting on the lazy side, but we digress, let's let Dee have her fun and if you want to pursue this further start you own thread.
10-04-2011, 11:18 AM
submarinepainter

Dee I hope you find a million furnaces!!!
10-04-2011, 11:45 AM
GeorgeB

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dumpster Dee

Made my usual Sun. afternoon dumpster rounds and whoa...someone moved or cleaned out big time. Furnace (3x6) still had some brass and wiring...saw all kinds of other good stuff.....BUT, I already had 1/2 truck load and no trailer. SO...I jumped back in and headed to my nearest relative's house to get a trailer !! Ten minutes later it was all still there and MORE....so I'm thanking God and throwing things in and a ratty looking
truck comes up pulling a ratty looking trailer with more stuff....uh-oh....COMPETITION !!! The furnace is still in the dumpster....what should I do ? Yell that I was here first ??? I took the high road..."Hi, are you pickin' or dumpin' ?" "DUMPING". Music to my hearing aides !!! So I help them dump, they give me what I want and help me put the furnace on my trailer !! Sweet. Now my question is: SHOULD I TAKE THE FURNACE APART OR SCRAP IT IN ONE BIG PIECE? WHAT IS IN IT? CAN I MAKE ANY MONEY? WHAT KIND OF METAL IS IT?

My apologies to my older forum friends who went apoplectic after reading the first question and "your welcome" to all my good buddies who got the joke right away and had a good laugh !!! For newbs who still don't get it: stick around and you will !!

It really was one of my best dumpster hauls and I'm having fun sorting (and deciding what to "hoard") and getting everything ready for a nice payday !

Take the brass and wiring, and junk the rest. Nothing inside really.

Nice find!

Also, congrats on the help. Not many will, unless they are your client.
10-04-2011, 03:04 PM
skylinejack

Looks like good ol bill tried to hyjack your thread here Dee. Check your sense of humor and lay off a bit. And stay on subject here bill. And try using a few less abbreviations.
Way to go Dee! Oh and btw, I get the joke. Keep em coming!
10-04-2011, 04:42 PM
EcoSafe

good for you!!!!! :) I strip the furnaces and load the outer shell with the small scrap pieces. the outer shell is usually just tack welded to the burner box.
10-04-2011, 05:46 PM
injunjoe

Great day Dee. I need to take you fishing! Swallowed that one hook line and sinker!
10-04-2011, 05:48 PM
Scrap man

Sometimes there will be a huge blower motor in the bottom. Other than that, about a pound of wires and some other motors with the occasional circuit board. I don't think I've ever encountered any brass, and I've done quite a few furnaces. If you really wanted to pull every penny out of it, you could probably take it completely apart piece by piece and sell it as short steel (or whatever your yard calls it). There's quite a few screws and some bolts holding it together, but it shouldn't be that hard. Sometimes, a few parts are salvageable and may be of use to a small-time plumber. Might be a good way to get a new contact.
10-04-2011, 07:17 PM
Ohio Scrapper

Great score, Dee! Glad you were able to get some help with the loading. I got the joke too!
10-05-2011, 04:17 AM
mrbillbus

I love furnaces! Everyone should have one. And the old ones should be scrapped by good folks like Dee.
10-05-2011, 04:19 AM
mrbillbus

Quote:

Originally Posted by KZBell

Bill ... if you want to pursue this further start you own thread.

I did last week. More or less ignored.
10-05-2011, 04:20 AM
mrbillbus

Quote:

Originally Posted by skylinejackjr

And stay on subject here bill. And try using a few less abbreviations.

I count 2. Sorry.
10-05-2011, 04:27 AM
Mick

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbillbus

I did last week. More or less ignored.

I'm not finding any thread you started. Can you make a link?
10-05-2011, 04:31 AM
mrbillbus

Sorry for the hi-jack Dee. You weren't guilty of what frustrated me. I will try to aim my ire better in the future if need be.

Bill
10-05-2011, 04:32 AM
mrbillbus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

I'm not finding any thread you started. Can you make a link?

And apparently deleted as well. :confused:
10-05-2011, 09:55 AM
Dumpster-Dee

no prob mr bill.....this thread reminds me of the story of the blind men describing an elephant. I was amazed at those who took my questions literally...after reading my rants and railings (for a YEAR!!!) about failing to break things down and asking "how to", "what is" sort of questions instead of just diving into it to see what's in there, what's it made of, etc. A very interesting "study" in human nature...mine and others !! To be fair to new people who find a furnace...it was a gas heater furnace made for mobile homes and other small "residentials"...45,000 BTU. The blower motor was the only heavy thing...I could have easily loaded it alone. Not much copper...maybe a lb altogether....a small handfull of brass fittings and control knob(switch)housing was cast AL, small wiring harness. Good carcass(container)for misc metals..only had to turn it over once on the trailer to get to some screws...it was a fun and easy turn around. I hope this helps someone. I'll try to be more sensitive in future posts...keeping blind men and elephants in mind would help us all....but we fall too easily and quickly back into our selfish nature. "How can "I" make more money?" And, "how can you help "ME"?". God help us all. Oh, is this the scrapping forum ? I thought I was on my bipolar support forum...sorry !
10-05-2011, 11:19 AM
mrbillbus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dumpster Dee

no prob mr bill.....this thread reminds me of the story of the blind men describing an elephant. I was amazed at those who took my questions literally...after reading my rants and railings (for a YEAR!!!) about failing to break things down and asking "how to", "what is" sort of questions instead of just diving into it to see what's in there, what's it made of, etc. A very interesting "study" in human nature...mine and others !! To be fair to new people who find a furnace...it was a gas heater furnace made for mobile homes and other small "residentials"...45,000 BTU. The blower motor was the only heavy thing...I could have easily loaded it alone. Not much copper...maybe a lb altogether....a small handfull of brass fittings and control knob(switch)housing was cast AL, small wiring harness. Good carcass(container)for misc metals..only had to turn it over once on the trailer to get to some screws...it was a fun and easy turn around. I hope this helps someone. I'll try to be more sensitive in future posts...keeping blind men and elephants in mind would help us all....but we fall too easily and quickly back into our selfish nature. "How can "I" make more money?" And, "how can you help "ME"?". God help us all. Oh, is this the scrapping forum ? I thought I was on my bipolar support forum...sorry !

Okay, now I am laughing! Thanks Dee.