Tools of the trade

[Mick]

I would add - vice(s). I use two. One is very big - over 100 pounds. The other is a small, clamp-on. The big one was given me with a bunch of junk. Retails over $800
re: magnets. I use telescoping magnets. They let me check out pieces without climbing over piles of stuff. I keep one in the truck, one in each of my two garages and one on the tractor. They're pretty cheap and a big time-saver trying to remember "Where did I leave it last time?"

My advice on a Sawzall and grinder - Don't try to "get by" with cheap equipment. What we do is hard on stuff - ourselves included - and cheap stuff just makes us work harder in the first place and work harder to replace it when it wears out.

[tristatescrap]

I find that is a good idea to have a GPS unit to find address's if you don't know the area well. This saves time writing down directions and looking at them as you drive.

[Kris Kringle]

See there you go guys I am adding to my list

[Mick]

2nd the GPS - definitely. The wife bought one for me last Christmas. Paid for itself in gas savings within a month. Not to mention the frustration savings.

[TheMetalizer]

2nd the GPS - definitely. The wife bought one for me last Christmas. Paid for itself in gas savings within a month. Not to mention the frustration savings.

Yup, I got me a GPS and I always know where I am and can pick out routes through neighborhoods. And if I'm hunting for scrap that means more money .

[Scrap man]

Don't forget some kind of wire strippers. Be it an automatic machine, manual stripper, or even a box cutter or some kind of knife. I use a sheath knife and it works great.

[Hypoman]

I have found that I have needed a sledgehammer many times.

[IdahoScrapper]

A hammer indeed. Took a dryer apart the other day. Saw where one side of the motor was held on with a snap clip type fastener, but couldn't see how the other side was held down (under the blower), a few whacks with the hammer removed the entire assembly.

[Mick]

Side cutter, tin snips or whatever you want to call them.

Cordless drill with straight and phillips-head tips.

Tractor with pallet forks. Ok, Ok. Maybe not NECESSARY, but it sure makes life easier; especially if you unload onto a pile or are sorting stuff into different areas. Then, especially for loading appliances you've "stuffed".

[Kris Kringle]

See Mick I can see you writing a Book Soon. lolol

[Ditchdigger]

I have found that I have needed a sledgehammer many times.

For cast iron plumbing pipe, the old kind with leaded joints, it's the only way to go. Smash the pipe, and separate the lead...

[Hypoman]

A hammer indeed. Took a dryer apart the other day. Saw where one side of the motor was held on with a snap clip type fastener, but couldn't see how the other side was held down (under the blower), a few whacks with the hammer removed the entire assembly.

That's almost exactly how I took apart a washer a couple weeks ago.

[tjlock]

I also use mini screw drivers like what you use to fix eye glasses. A lot of electronics use those really tiny screws and I tear a bunch of those down.

[Phithy McNasty]

I keep a axe and machete around. I always have to cut a path thru weeds. About 2 months ago I cut a old aluminum scool bus body in half with the ax so I could get it on the trailer. I also recommend some good wasp spray in the summer.

A small hachet works good for cutting soldered fittings off copper and it's faster than cutting with a saw or heating it off.

[TheMetalizer]

I use almost everything described here, except the machete!

A few year ago I bought a set of small screw bits for use in electronics. I, specifically, had been trying to take apart desktop computer hard drives. They all use very small "Torx" bits.

I separate the milled aluminum body, and the stainless steel cover. Oh, and I pull out the very strong super magnets inside.

[Scrap man]

I, specifically, had been trying to take apart desktop computer hard drives.

Is there anything valuable in those? And how much of it is in there and how much do you make per laptop?

[TheMetalizer]

Is there anything valuable in those? And how much of it is in there and how much do you make per laptop?

I don't take apart laptops, I take apart desktops computers, but you could take apart laptops too. I mostly deal with old or broken desktops though.

The hard drives have exactly what I said above: milled aluminum body, stainless steel cover, and very strong super magnets. I like the magnets. They are fun to keep around. Most yards near me will buy them for close to $.45-$.50 per pound as is, without separation. But If I pull off the top first, I can sell them as stainless steel. If I pull out the other pieces in their, then I have clean aluminum.

[Scrap man]

So, you're talking maybe a few dollars per PC?

Edit:
I didn't see the last paragraph.

[Mick]

Channel Lock pliers. I have a pair of 16" channel locks that I use more than I figured I would. They give me a tremendous amount of leverage for stuff like unlocking frozen bolts.

[injunjoe]

Hello fellow scrappers this is my first post here, the site looks great!
I am surprised no one has mentioned a pair of bolt cutters. Fast, uses no power and very portable!