Scrap Metal

[teisco]

Here we have a local bike club that promotes saving scrap bikes. We are allowed to go through the scrap and keep any bike we see. I know of several bikes being ridden that came from that scap heap, even an Elgin twin bar.

 

[partsguy]

Well you know we cant collect or save everything. My Dad told me during WW ll he worked in Detroit and used to buy model a Fords for $25. that needed work. He repaired them, drove them for a while and would sell one for $35. Big money back then. He said Ford Motor Co. had a garage where they would sell used parts that were in protypes and test vehicles. Valves for 25 cents and other bargains. Just imagine if you had the foresight and money to buy up all that stuff. I used to work with a guy that said his Dad had a cash register shop. During WW ll he would take truck loads of Brass NCR cash registers to the scrap dealer. When I was young in the 50's we used to shoot BB's at metal dome top beer cans at the dump. I recently paid $20. for one in very rusty condition. We also shot at lead soldiers and plastic model cars and I cant imagine how many 1950's comic books and baseball cards we threw out.

Sadly, this is true. This is how stuff becomes even more rare and valuable. Somebody unfortunatly has to "decrease the surplus population" and throw it away. The most valuable thing from the scrap drives in WWII? I believe it is Action Comics #1-valued at 1.5 MILLION dolars. And think of all the thousands of copies that had to be throw out to the scrap drives to avhieve that.

 

[Larmo63]

And they make some fine machines out of our old junk and send it back to us! (Electra?)

Now that is true recycling, the vast majority of scrap is sold back to Asia, mostly China.

 

[ftwelder]

I thought about placing a sign near the local metal recycler " double scrap price paid for old bicycles" until I realized I would go broke is a week.

I have a machine shop filled with machines no-one wanted. I make my living with them. Scrapping manufacturing equipment is nuts in my book.

 

[Larmo63]

Many factories were closed and shipped wholesale to China and set up there to manufacture for pennies on the dollar. I won't comment on how unions ruined much of American manufacturing.

 

[ftwelder]

Many factories were closed and shipped wholesale to China and set up there to manufacture for pennies on the dollar. I won't comment on how unions ruined much of American manufacturing.

Everyone ruined American manufacturing. Fiduciary responsibility (the obligation to make money) is the backbone of our economic system and it requires that corporations continually increase (or try) shareholder returns. By law, the consumers of goods get less and less. If someone working within a corp fails to make the more profitable choice, that employee can be held responsible regardless of the ethical implications. It's supposed to fail and it will. It's part of the process. If you purchase a pint of milk that is only 12 oz. you get what you deserve.

 

[OldRider]

This is what I lost to the scrap guy today, I offered him 5 dollars for each bike he had on his truck, thats about 1-2 dollars more then scrap value for him, this dude was a total jerk, there was no way those bikes were coming off the truck, I tried my best and had to walk away from it. I know its just Chinese junk but a bike is a bike and I hated leaving them on that truck knowing what was going to happen.

 

[elb8652]

I, too, miss the six day weeks and ten hour days. I distrust all this talk about job safety and benefits. The company will always treat the worker fairly, look at WalMart. I say more tax breaks for the rich, end Medicare & keep giving subsidies to those mom & pop operations that drill oil wells five miles below the ocean. Bust the unions !

Now I'm as smart as Lame-O63, because I can spout opinion quickly enought that I need not bother with facts. Don't forget, Sarah Palin is a genius. I think she's smarter than George W. Bush.

 

[Talewinds]

Not much to do up in Staunton this weekend???

 

[ftwelder]

I, too, miss the six day weeks and ten hour days. I distrust all this talk about job safety and benefits. The company will always treat the worker fairly, look at WalMart. I say more tax breaks for the rich, end Medicare & keep giving subsidies to those mom & pop operations that drill oil wells five miles below the ocean. Bust the unions !

Now I'm as smart as Lame-O63, because I can spout opinion quickly enought that I need not bother with facts. Don't forget, Sarah Palin is a genius. I think she's smarter than George W. Bush.

That is why we now have the tea party. One big blanket covers them all.