What's the greatest piece of "junk" you've ever picked up? :P

[PintoPasoFino]

When I got married 11 years ago, I picked up a wood coffee table at a garage sale for $10. We are still using it, it is sturdy as can be, just plain looking, but the best thing I got that has lasted.

I found a western pony saddle at Goodwill a year ago for $7.50. Sold it at a tack sale then for $50.

 

[Yetti]

Man thats a hard question, I have picked up so much over the years and still have some stuff going on 40 years. right now I have the 8hp engine for a Troy built tiller sitting in the barn I found in a scrap heap. its complete top to bottom and all it needed was the points adjusted. best part about being a mechanic is that you can save stuff other toss.

 

[nikki1]

Let me start by saying my children would be naked if it wasn't for 2nd hand! Nothing like garage sales in pricey neighborhoods. My biggest scores to date:

--While looking for Noah's Ark decor for my coming son's nursery, we stopped by a garage sale as it started raining. There was a box that was the mother lode of Noah's ark stuff...bedding, wall hangings, lamp, light switch cover, and a bunch of knick-knacks. High-end stuff, too. I was picking out 1 or 2 things, as I couldn't afford all of it, even at garage sale prices, when the homeowner offered us the whole box for ten bucks, as he was closing shop, and didn't want to store the stuff anymore. He even loaded into the car for me.

--Got to Goodwill just as they were putting out bikes. Got a like-new bike for fifteen bucks. When I got online, I found that bike for sale for $150.

Have a great weekend!

--Nikkoi

 

[Randy]

I've had pretty good luck finding things. Found a brass bladed fan in a trash pile. I think it brought around forty on ebay. Let's see, then there was 3 dollar ice cream scoop that brought $88.00. Vintage coleman aluminum three burner stove bought for 22.50 that I sold for $250.000. An old newhouse 4 and half wolf trap that I picked up for 4 dollars and sold for 150.00. An embossed double bit axe that I got for 5 bucks and sold for 100.00. A lot of other deals through the years but those were some of the best. The good deals are getting harder and harder to find though.

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
People restore old tractors and they are quite collectible. I have a 1949 John Deere model B and a 1937 Mc Cormick Deering F-12 sitting in my front yard right now. They are my favorite finds!

I have a 1954 Ford that my Grandfather bought & I still use it on the farm.

 

[littlefork]

I bought a stained glass lamp at an auction for $35.00. I didn't need it but I bid on it because it was pretty and the price was right. We stopped at another auction on the way home, a guy in the parking lot saw the lamp in the back window of the truck and offered me $75.00 for it. Went home with more money in my pocket then when we started out. It was a good day!

 

[LegginMF12]

An undented, unrusted tail gate for a 60 something dodge truck. Found it on the curb, somebody was throwing it away. I am still trying to figure out the actual year it is. I think they are worth money. Was looking awhile back and saw some on Cl for $400.00+.

 

[NYboy]

Picked up a old silver plated tray for $2.00 was so tarnished it looked black. I was going to use under a potted plant. When I started to clean it the word Tiffany appeared!!! boy was I happy!

 

[Fierlin1182]

Quote:
You sound like quite the picker!

They're always picking up insane bargains on the show too.

JD: I'm in Australia, so I wouldn't have the channels the States has.

 

[BarefootMom]

Can't believe you have never heard of a tractor pull...

I have been going to pulls for 23 years. It is a BIG thing in some areas. My dad is in Waueseon Ohio right now for a indoor pull. Here is me when I was 16 at the Wichita Winter Nationals (and yes I got 1st place!!)
1938 Allis Chalmers:

Here is my dad a few summers ago at a local pull pulling my tractor:

There is a lot of money involved and tractor pulling. Those parts are expensive and our tractors run on racing fuel. Tractor pulling is a major part of my life - I am the secretary and treasurer of SWMATPA (Southwest Missouri Antique Tractor Pullers Association) so I don't get to pull anymore (I get all the paperwork and get to announce and hand out trophies) lol

if you want to look at some more pictures check out http://www.hookmagazine.exposuremanager.com/

also just youtube tractor pulling and you can see some live ones.




Now as to answer your question I have picked up a lot of "junk" in my time for free. My husband and I scrap almost monthly to pay bills and I find all sorts of old mason jars and enamel ware dish pans. DH has found John Deere and Ford Wrenches. Some times the antique value is worth more than the scrap value!