Portable Scrapping suggestions for Scrappers on the go?

Once again, thank you, to everyone that posts on SMF and especially the guys and gals that comment on my posts and answer questions. You're an invaluable resource to my continually expanding scrapping knowledge.

Here's the question:[What are the best portable tools, methods, ideas, etc for the scrapper on the go? I'm talking about every aspect of scrapping from the moment you see it to when the cash is in your hand at the scrap yard. I've read a lot of threads about others who load up then dismantle/sort the metal at home, and then take it in. But I'm talking about doing everything at the job site. Cutting, collecting, sorting, loading, and then going to the scrap yard. Likely staying at the job site for a few days without going back to "civilization" , and without electricity while there.

My buddy and I are going on a "road trip" hopping from jobsite to jobsite. (Road Trip, RoadWarrior, get it?) We've got just about everything planned out. Jobsites, tools etc, but if this forum has taught me anything, it's that another, more experienced scrapper, will always have some pearl of wisdom for me to learn from.

Here's what I've got so far:[/B] battery powered Sawzall, Mini Cutting/Welding torch kit, sledge hammer, crowbar, toolbox full of the basics (hammer, screw drivers, wrenches, sockets etc) Really need more batteries for the Sawzall since we could be without electricity for a few days. And a generator + corded tools are too expensive presently.

And the most important tools, an F150 with a camper shell (our sleeping quarters when we're at the jobsites and not in a hotel between jobs) and my shiny new used home made trailer. http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/day-l...ler-today.html (I'd love to get a bigger one when I can afford it. First thing on my next big buy list)

So any ideas/tips/reccomendations/etc for my portable scrapping adventure? I'm still learning so I'm open to at least here out any advice. I might even make a thread detailing the Road Trip, assuming things go well.

I use a Makita 18v cordless grinder a lot.

Battery charger that works off your truck's system.

I really want to buy a cordless grinder when I have more money KzScrapper. $60 for a charger, $80 for battery packs and another $60 for the grinder is too much at the moment.

Thanks Mick, good idea. I hadn't thought of that.

Hopefully you have a harbor freight tool outlet in your neck of the woods, there side walk sales are great, first thing a battery powered,zazaa, screw gun, grinder, and some gloves to start.

don't know how long that mini torch will last. I bought one for travel and it gives me just enough time to p*** me off.

Mllwalkie blades for the saws all 14 tooth.

pry bar and or crow bar.

Give some of the members here a saws all, an angle grinder and a torch and they could either build or tear down the Empire state building.

We could be more help if you could list what you have.

Some of the things that make life easier on job sites for me include a 10k watt generator, a 3000 watt inverter and a gas powered air compressor. This year I'm going to be carrying with me my spare plasma cutter.

I'd go with a nice inverter to run some lights and a drill or sawzall plus plug the battery charger into it for the handheld tools. For the lights use some drop cords and screw in florescent bulbs (don't use as much juice from the inverter.) Or a coffee maker will run off an inverter also, and cheaper than a generator.

I have a question Roadwarrior. How you gonna make any money? You got your PU box tied up being a sleeping quarters. You are gonna have your trailer loaded in no time, and sounds like you are gonna be "out in the boonies". You're gonna be running to the scrap yard burning gas, and daylight. Plus, you are taking your buddy, so split any scrap find $ in 1/2. IDK, maybe you already have this all planned and mapped out. Just don't want you ending up coming home empty handed, or worse yet, in the red. Better dead than red, they used to say ;)

P.S. At my yard they knock 15% off for people who don't shower at least once every 3 days.

@1956, the town I was just living in did have a harbor freight. That's where I got the battery powered Sawzall and 6pack of gloves from. Plus the free tarps, measuring tape, screw drivers and flashlight

@olddude yeah I'm thinking those welding tanks won't last long at all so I bought a spare set of tanks. And i do have size 14 blades for the sawzall. This is the gear list of what I have that I posted above. Sorry if it got buried in all the text: "Here's what I've got so far:[/B] battery powered Sawzall, Mini Cutting/Welding torch kit, sledge hammer, crowbar, toolbox full of the basics (hammer, screw drivers, wrenches, sockets etc)*"

I go old school, a hammer, wire cutters, and for big breakdowns, a sledge hammer. gloves are a plus! and if you plan to get big items, a trailer is VERY beneficial.

I dont do job sites, but when I'm driving around, no matter what vehicle or who I'm with, I bring gloves, leatherman multi tool, tin snips, Craftsman small but long screwdriver and a knife. All fits in my pockets

@Mechanic, sounds like a great idea. I was looking into getting an inverter so we can use cord power tools. I'll have to save up a bit first.

@pjost, I appreciate the concern man. Honestly we've acknowledged that we might make 0 profit. Or end up a little bit in the red. We've wanted to go on a road trip since highschool (which was 7years ago haha). So if we can pay for our gas and food along the way we'll be happy. Any potential profit is q plus and might get gambled away in Vegas haha. Lol better dead than red. Nice one. Also we're considering sleeping in the truck bed, then filling it up first thing in the morning with the scrap we prepared the previous day to maximize space.

@jw, nice. I've got all of that in my tool box. Probably going to get a lot of use out of the tin snips.

@Benny, yeah I plan to get a lot of use with my sledge hammer and trailer. And I've got plenty of gloves, thanks.

Edit @freonjoe, just saw your reply, very nice. I'm going to have to save up to afford a generator abd a plasma cutter would be awesome but not gonna happen.

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Originally Posted by RoadWarrior

@pjost, I appreciate the concern man. Honestly we've acknowledged that we might make 0 profit. Or end up a little bit in the red. We've wanted to go on a road trip since highschool (which was 7years ago haha). So if we can pay for our gas and food along the way we'll be happy. Any potential profit is q plus and might get gambled away in Vegas haha. Lol better dead than red. Nice one. Also we're considering sleeping in the truck bed, then filling it up first thing in the morning with the scrap we prepared the previous day to maximize space.

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Carry on then :D

Find a few places you would like to see and see if some of our scrappers in those towns could put you up for the nite or at least camp out in their backyard for safety.

Maybe some bolt cutters?

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Originally Posted by Mechanic688

Find a few places you would like to see and see if some of our scrappers in those towns could put you up for the nite or at least camp out in their backyard for safety.

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Not a bad idea Mechanic, I might consider that.

@Evan, good idea. I forgot to mention I picked up a medium size pair of bolt cutters from Harbor Freight last week.

Use a old invertor plugged into the cars 12V Dc to make 110V AC to charge power tools & test out finds. Boy, a 3000watt one would test out Fridges & theres $$S in fridges if you know it goes.

Offer a kid $20 to make it spotless & call a buyer who will pick it up from you & pay ca$h at the time. Maybe a regular. I know I'm loosing hundreds & hundreds every month on this. I can't test fridges & I get about 5 a week.

I had a 'pensioners fridge' pointed out to me last week. You know the sort, they use 3/4 the floor space of a normal fridge, and tall, with freezer. Sought after. I almost wanted to pay me money to buy it from myself..weird.

This is my favorite tool box. It has two parts a top part that separates where I keep my impact driver and bits and a bottom part where I keep my hand tools. Has a long handle to make it easy to carry and its pretty cheap as well.

DEWALT 24 in. Tote with Power Tool Case-DWST24070 at The Home Depot

A suggestion from a newbee...if you have a receiver hitch on your truck, you might look into a good sized vice that will attach via an extension. One that will let you put the tailgate down as a table and still not interfere with swinging up or down. Fab the mount or buy one -google "tailgate mounted vice" and look at the pics...Also it being summer an easy-up type of shade canopy and a constant water supply. Dehydration and sun exposure are a killer.
Suggest you look at camping or backpacking supplies for light weight gear (or improvise). The shower perimeter suggestion could be made with plastic sheeting, line, and clothes pins-as part of the canopy arrangement. Hot water is easy with a shower bag, and a few totes can be the clothes washing machine/dishwasher/ clean clothes hamper...Camping used to be about ruffing it and enjoying nature-a radio and a film camera were luxuries...

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Originally Posted by RoadWarrior

My buddy and I are going on a "road trip" hopping from jobsite to jobsite.

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I have a question. I like the idea of what your doing, it sounds like fun but I'm not exactly sure what you're doing. Are you going to abandoned jobsites? Active jobsites and dumpster diving? How do you chose a jobsite? What are you hoping to find?

All the tools people have mention are all good what you need to do is go with what you got no ifs or but as you go along you gradually by tools don't be disappointed if you need to by cheap tools to get you going just do the job the best you can gain experience go on those lines and brother you will get somewhere remember room wasn't built in one day

The best tool I have from harbor freight is a portable band saw , the blade will last for more cuts then you can count . It is one of my most important tools for cutting black pipe . You will need an invertor cordless tools don't cut it for me
Wile yes a cordless screw driver and saw for the occasional project is fine , but when you get down to real work
power corded tools are for me .
Yet I have not tried the most new stuff on the market . Unless you tell me different cord tools are still my favorite.
I have some lithium types and what I dislike is how the tool stops with no warning . Old nicad's wile not in the same game -
still I like how you lost power with tool slowing down towards end.

Harber freight tools are fine for me ,
I used to be into the name tools
BUT HF tools are just such a great bargain
Get the 2 year warranty and your set

@eesakiwi, thanks. I'm looking into buying an invertor down the road.

@mrsamsonite, I appreciate the suggestion. That tool looks really handy.

@lenscap, all great ideas. Thank you. I'd thought of some of those too while some are new to me. Good stuff.

@dev, we've scouted out quite a few abandoned jobsites and locations online and will be scrapping there under the notion of salvaging abandoned property.

@sam1963, thanks for the advice. I've got a handful of cheap Harbor Freight tools that work good for us In aaddition to some slightly higher quality ones.

@copperhead, that'll be some good info for us when we get to a point where we're ready to upgrade. Thanks.