Is it just me

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Gentlemen,

 

I had to recently replace an old stairlift with a new one for my wife as I could no longer maintain it. We bought the old one off of EBay for £26 five years ago so cant complain. The reason for starting this topic is to find out whether other engineers, model or otherwise, look at equipment in the same way as I do.

The old Stairlift has sat outside for a couple of weeks waiting for me to dispose of it so today I have spent several hours stripping it for useful parts i.e. switches, micro switches, nuts,bolts, washers, bar stock, 90 deg reduction gearbox, rack and pinions the list goes on. You will notice that the motor is not listed as it is this item which was causing me most grief with its flywheel and brake assembly.

All parts I feel I should not take down the tip.

The alluminium stair track (fourteen steps long, approx 15′) is going to the metal scrapman as I can get my money back by weighting it in.

Is it just me that does this.

 

Martin P

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Magpie Syndrome

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Martin

 

I understand what you are saying and I applaud your recycling and generally frugal approach. The problem is though that all that takes time and time is what I find to be in short supply. My workshop and garage is already full of ” stuff ” some of which could probably be recycled. I expect in the end the easiest course will be to take it to the dump!

 

Regards

 

Norman

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

I always check our “throw outs” for useful stuff before taking it to the tip.

Have also seen some impressive models that people made from scrap.

 

 

 

Edited By V8Eng on 27/12/2011 16:08:02

[StovepipeParticipant @stovepipe]

Posted by NJH on 27/12/2011 15:48:03:

Martin

 

I understand what you are saying and I applaud your recycling and generally frugal approach. The problem is though that all that takes time and time is what I find to be in short supply. My workshop and garage is already full of ” stuff ” some of which could probably be recycled. I expect in the end the easiest course will be to take it to the dump!

 

Regards

 

Norman

 

I suspect that most of us have that “save it just in case” attitude, whereas if we were honest most of it could go to the dump without being missed. (Keep SWMBO though, she might come in useful ! )

 

Dennis

 

Edited By Stovepipe on 27/12/2011 16:56:56

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I love dismantling things for useful(useless?) bits.

 

Your mention of a troublsome brake reminds me of the scene in Gremlins – I hope you don’t have a repeat of that!

 

Neil

 

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

One thing I find useful for all sorts of things is the two springy stainless steel strips that fit in the grooves at the side of windscreen wiper blades.

 

Les.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Les,

 

Damnit. my last wiper disappeared over teh top of the car at 60 mph on the way to get an MOT

 

Fortunately, as good model engineer, I still; had the old one in the boot…

 

Neil

[magpieParticipant @magpie]

Martin, I am with you all the way on this one. My son-in-law’s brother has a concession to remove any metal ( or whatever takes his fancy ), from a local tip. He makes a VERY good living from this, because it would appear that it is mostly theives that realise how much scrap is worth. I also strip items that are beyond repair A-for usefull bits, and

B-because seperate metals are worth lots more than when mixed together.

 

Cheers Derek

[Terry LaneParticipant @terrylane]

Repeat after me …..

NEVER THROW ANYTHING AWAY – EVER!

You’ll be sure to want it about a day and a half later.

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

`Ere, `Ere!

[colin hawesParticipant @colinhawes85982]

I’ve got so many scrapped things I can’t bear to get rid of that I forget what I’ve got and go and buy one!! £!x%!!!. It hurts.

Colin

[Author]

Posts