Junk I'm Glad I Saved

[Ken]

I'm starting to pack up for my big move. I've got to admit it - I'm a pack-rat. I hate throwing ANYTHING out that I may have a use for someday. I also stock-up when it looks like a favorite item's about to be discontinued. And I'm going to bring most of it with me when I move.

Here's a list of a few of the countless things I've saved, some of which you just can't get anymore.

Coffee Cans. Yep, I've got about 150 of them. 100 1 lb. size and 50 3 lb. size. They have all sorts of uses. Nowadays, most coffee comes in plastic "cans" - and I have about 25 of them, too.

Glass Bottles and Jars. The old 1 quart glass soda ("pop" - "tonic" call it what you will) bottles. Assorted glass jars and ESPECIALLY 1 quart and 1/2 gallon THICK GLASS milk bottles. I still use 'em for lemonaide and iced tea. Nothing makes the drink stay colder.

Wire coat hangers. I cut them near the neck with diagonal cutters, bend them straight, and use 'em for all sorts of things.

The old "1/6th" bags. The old large grocery bags that held 1/6th. of a barrel worth of groceries.

Glass Wax. Remember that stuff? It was great to wipe all over the inside of your car windows at the drive-in theater. It ensured "privacy" with your date and your windshield was sparkling clean after the movie was over. (There is still one drive-in about 25 miles away.) When stores stopped carrying it, I found about 20 cans at an old hardware store. I bought all of them and still have 3 left. Best stuff there is for cleaning glass.

My Old Hippie Nehru Jacket. Yep, I've still got it and I'll be damned if I die before it comes back into style. Never liked those "leisure suits" though.

Old Shoes. The kind you just can't ever get re-soled or wear in public (or even around the house without having everyone tell you to get rid of them) again. Great for that one time last-wear job you'd hate to wreck a decent pair of shoes on.

I've got tons of other old great stuff I'll never get rid of..

Are there any other pack rats here?

[flandersander]

I have about 6 radios that don't work anymore. All sorts of little electronics in them, as well as pumps, scrap iron, 6 not running old cars from around the 80's, maybe 70's. A whole shop full of junk that might be useful someday.

[crashdive123]

Hey - why not get one of those cars running and give it to your son rather than spend the $$$$$ on the green one? Tell him it's a classic, and the chicks will dig it!

[flandersander]

They're pretty much beyond fixing. I mean, it would cost way more to fix any one of those up than $10 000. They're basically rusty car bodies with useless engines and rusty transmitions. I doubt anything really works on any of them, except maybe the hood release.

[Rick]

They're basically rusty car bodies with useless engines and rusty transmitions. I doubt anything really works on any of them, except maybe the hood release.

You could have just described me.

[crashdive123]

You could have just described me.

And just think....still plenty of gas.

[Pal334]

My wood shop is the repository of screws, nail, nuts and bolts extra light fixture, swithes etc for the neighborhood. Also I save the odd plumbing fixtures and parts . I am always getting teased, until it is mid way through a long weekend and a neighbors toilet flushing mechanism breaks and the hardware store is closed. Then there is a knock on the door and it is "Hey Pal" can I look in your shop Instant popularity

[Rick]

I don't think I've ever thrown anything away. I told my kids, save every nut, bolt and screw you come across. Someday you WILL use it.

[Ole WV Coot]

I keep or strip everything, have a building full and more on the way. I retired in '95 and am getting low on a few items. Guess I will have to visit the local storeroom and "borrow" a few things. I worked with a guy that "liberated" so much stuff he rented a storage building. When he died his ex wife wouldn't let me empty the storage bldg. She actually went back to the company and told them to come and get the stuff. She was told it was already written off and they didn't want it so she gave it all away, not to me of course.

[Ken]

I keep or strip everything, have a building full and more on the way. I retired in '95 and am getting low on a few items. Guess I will have to visit the local storeroom and "borrow" a few things. I worked with a guy that "liberated" so much stuff he rented a storage building. When he died his ex wife wouldn't let me empty the storage bldg. She actually went back to the company and told them to come and get the stuff. She was told it was already written off and they didn't want it so she gave it all away, not to me of course.

Can you imagine what it must have been like for that poor guy -- living with HER?

[Runs With Beer]

My shed is full of stuff I guess I cant live without, Cans,wire,feathers,all kinds of saplings,a garbbage can full of clay,gun parts,animal hides you get the idea I just cant help myself, Instead of The wolf Pack or The Bear Clan we could start The Pack Rats

[Rick]

I've been known to stop the car in the middle of the road to pick up a screw driver. THAT drives my wife nuts. She doesn't understand it. I've picked up all kinds of tools off the road. My last great score was four sections of four foot bell hanger bits. All that stuff has it's own place, too. I can walk into the garage and know exactly where it is.....IF my wife hasn't been out there or one of the kids. Why don't people get that tools in the road is like money in your pocket and STAY THE HECK OUT OF MY GARAGE? Is that so tough?

[Ken]

I've had more tools vanish in so many ways I can't remember all the excuses. ("I lost it at the dorms - lab - friend's house - I'm sorry!") Not cheap junk, either. Somewhere on this earth are 25 or so oil filter wrenches and 100 7/16 sockets just waiting to be found.

I have 6 separate large sets of tools (basement - by far the largest - garage - one in each of 2 vehicles - office - and a cabinet in the back hallway for those to lazy to go down to the basement). The only one that's safe is in the Cobra because nobody dares touch that car!

[Smok]

Do You wont to get even with the Misses ? .Go in and rearrange Her Kitchen so she can not find anything , .but that would be just before she left you so it may not be that much fun ... Just depends on your point/pint of view .

[Alpine_Sapper]

Do You wont to get even with the Misses ? .Go in and rearrange Her Kitchen so she can not find anything , .but that would be just before she left you so it may not be that much fun ... Just depends on your point/pint of view .

I do this every time I clean out the dishwasher.

[Mischief]

I do this every time I clean out the dishwasher.

So do I and it works
Mischief

[RBB]

I've got tons of other old great stuff I'll never get rid of..

Are there any other pack rats here?

Yes, and it's a disease. My parents went through the great depression and passed on their pack-rat neurosis to me. I have more packs, tents, canoes, guns, knives, wool clothes, wool blankets, hunting shacks, sleds, skies, snowshoes, lumber, shovels, axes, broad axes, adzes, tomahawks, hand tools, etc. than any ten men could use in a lifetime.

I also save wire, tin, steel, brass, books, canvas tarps, fishing gear, fireplace inserts, wood stoves, - the list in endless. I have drawers full of old shoes, and drawers full of mogasins. I have drawers full of old silver plate silverware. The reason for collecting it was for the hunting shacks. They all have their complement - what am I saving the rest for? I have old kettles, cast iron, brass, and copper. What do I need them all for? Two or three would suffice for all my needs. I have a drawer full of compasses. How lost can one man get?

Trouble is, I have so much stuff - I can't find it when I need it.

My father-in-law throws out anything he hasn't used in the last year unless he has concrete plans to use it in the near future. He knows exactly where everything is and he owns it - not vice versa - as in my case.

I started on the basement the other day. Wing brought me home a whole car full of boxes. I'm going from room to room in the basement and filling them. Everything of dubious value is going to the dump. Everything that might have some trade value is going on Craig's List. I want to be able to turn around in my own basement. The garage, sheds, and bunkhouse are next, and any lumber that isn't in the attic of the garage needs to get used by the end of the summer - or it is going on the burn pile. I'm tired of living like this.

Old furs - and antler sheds! I have gunny sacks full of antlers! What on earth would I use them all for?

[Rick]

First, I'm such a pack rat send it all to me. I'll find some place to put it and I know I'll use it some day whatever it is.

DON'T THROW IT AWAY! If it has any usable value at all (not monetary but usable) give it to Goodwill. You will have a tax deduction, put local folks to work and provide low cost items to those than can use it AND keep unnecessary junk out of the land fill. Win/win/win/win all the way around.

[RBB]

First, I'm such a pack rat send it all to me. I'll find some place to put it and I know I'll use it some day whatever it is.

DON'T THROW IT AWAY! If it has any usable value at all (not monetary but usable) give it to Goodwill. You will have a tax deduction, put local folks to work and provide low cost items to those than can use it AND keep unnecessary junk out of the land fill. Win/win/win/win all the way around.

Goodwill will get their share. Trouble is - they've become quite picky. Last time I dropped off a load there, they made me wait while they went through it and I ended up hauling half of it home again.

That's why I like Craig's List. The people come to your place, give you money for your junk, and haul it away with them. Much better than E-bay or the dump! The only time they won't show up is if you have something for "Free." Much better to ask $25. Then they think it is a deal. Ask $5 or $10, and they think it isn't worth much. List it for free and you get no calls. Ask $25 and they show up, talk you down a few bucks and think they've made a killing.

[Rick]

Now I feel really really bad. Thanks. I'm waiting on an email to find out when I can pick up:

A set of cast iron cookware NIB for $30.

Two Coleman stoves for $25. (shaking head).

Both off of Craig's list. The ones I love say, "Free firewood. You cut the tree, you keep the wood." Love those.