5 Dec
1999
5 Dec
'99
2:27 a.m.
In a message dated 12/4/1999 10:05:36 PM Pacific Standard Time,
mrdos(a)swbell.net writes:
would take it seriously. It's really not a bad
idea, and I'm sure our fellow
collectors would go for it. We really need an organization to preserve old
computers. I go to scrap yards and see classic machines ripped apart all
the
ti
While I like the idea of an organization to
preserve old computers I suspect
there are already several. This list actually works well for rescues.
The biggest problem is that the scrappers are rarely computer literate. If
they are they are already selling on ebay and the Internet. Most scrappers
are metals oriented. Even if they are recyclers the bottom line is the value
of the metals. Volume is the problem, you must scrap or get buried in it.
The best answer is to make friends with a scrapper. Anyone who will pay twice
the scrap value consistently will be a welcome customer. In the long run you
may get systems set aside for you to look at. Ask for particular brands or
items but don't become a pest. They need to know what you are looking for.
Check on a regular basis. Don't ask them to call you unless you are willing
to offer significant money. They are busy and you are not a major part of
their business.
I bet there are enough people on the list to cover the major scrappers in
each city. If each person adopted one we could flood this list with
equipment. And probably dump enough on ebay to depress prices.
I am adopting one here in Portland. And that brings up paper tape punches. He
has a REMEX paper tape punch and reader set. It is shrink wrapped on a pallet
and I have not had a chance to look at it yet. He wants $250 but may be open
to offers. He sells a lot of stuff to Western Numerical Controls. They are
old and extremely heavy, I would say late 70s but that is a guess. If anyone
is interested please email me off the list.
Paxton
6 Dec
6 Dec
3:03 a.m.
At 03:27 AM 12/5/99 -0500, Innfogra(a)aol.com wrote:
... snip
The best answer is to make friends with a scrapper.
Anyone who will pay twice
the scrap value consistently will be a welcome customer. In the long run you
may get systems set aside for you to look at. Ask for particular brands or
items but don't become a pest. They need to know what you are looking for.
Check on a regular basis. Don't ask them to call you unless you are willing
to offer significant money. They are busy and you are not a major part of
their business.
Be prepared for some educating.
I attempted such a thing at a local scrap yard here in Oregon and it was
pretty good at first. My interest at the time was in high-vacuum stuff
(large stainless tubing, couplings, valves, mass-flow controllers, etc.)
which generally have little value in the surplus market unless they are
"new" surplus.
At first prices were good (slightly above scrap.) But occasionally
things would show up (like valve controllers or vacuum gauges) and I'd
"bid" on these items. It became obvious that the owner was starting to
smell money as the prices started going up. Eventually he confided in me
that he really wanted to get about 50% of the list value of a piece of
equipment (based upon his catalog "database.") Bear in mind this old gear,
in many cases, had been left out in the rain for several days (or weeks) or
had sometimes been decommissioned by removing key components (such as
sensors.) Needless to say, I (and others) stopped buying - and guess what?
The stuff is getting scrapped again.
Basically I'm venting here - it was a very frustrating experience. And it
was more frustrating as there are FEW such places here in Oregon (at least
to my knowledge.)
On the other hand, there was Paxton <g>. Always fair and I got some good
deals. And what fun to prowl his warehouses... (Thanks, Paxton.)
Just putting in a shameless plug.
However, I basically agree with Paxton. I'm giving my local dealer a
few more months and I'll go back. It may be possible to start over and
create the relationship Paxton suggests.
And he's right about instructions. Give the dealer simple rules and
DO NOT expect them to call. You must poll often and learn the schedules
on when stuff arrives. My local guy hauls the big stuff in twice
a week (last I heard) and if you are there soon after it arrives
(and before the "disassemblers" get at it) better deals can be made.
-Gary
9154
days inactive
9155
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