Couldnt save blacksmith tools, but am checking out a drill press tommorow

[Nolatoolguy]

I was at the scrapyard today, cashing in on some copper.

The guy next to me was unloading his pickup. I see one blacksmith tong go into the bin, then a couple hammers and more, and more. I would say between the tongs an hammers heads there was 40 or so. Next thing there unloading a anvil out the van it looked it to be three hundred pounds or so. Even with its chipped horn it was still decent. Then there were some molds and a smaller anvil. 

I couldn't let this go on anymore, I had to intervene. After having my friend translate for me it didn't go so well. I was about to cry knowing some good pieces were going to scrap.

That scrap yards policy is you can deal while unloading with other individuals but the yard itself doesn't allow offers.

On the plus side before leaving another guy overheard I like old tools. He told me he had a old awquard belt driven drill press contraption. He said its got to be 200 years old. I am going to meet him tomorrow and look at it. I don't really know what ime going to look at but ile let you know tomorrow. It could be gold, it could be garbage.

[john k]

I stopped going to a scrap yard for that very reason.  Found a brass bed frame there one time, then a stack of very early outboard motors that looked like they had been in dry storage since 1925, nothing leaves the yard unless it is shredded and blown into a rail car.    Just how blind can a guy be to scrap blacksmith tools, he would have tripled his money by putting them on craigslist even.    A 200 year old drill press, wow, some people got no grasp of history, more like 100 years old, but might be very interesting.  Hope you can get it.

[Nolatoolguy]

I stopped going to a scrap yard for that very reason.  Found a brass bed frame there one time, then a stack of very early outboard motors that looked like they had been in dry storage since 1925, nothing leaves the yard unless it is shredded and blown into a rail car.    Just how blind can a guy be to scrap blacksmith tools, he would have tripled his money by putting them on craigslist even.    A 200 year old drill press, wow, some people got no grasp of history, more like 100 years old, but might be very interesting.  Hope you can get it.

Ive been working for a guy I know on the side. We remove 35mm film projectors, audio equipment, wire, and rewind tables from a movie theater chain. Since they went digital a couple years ago they all just sit there till we moved them out for scrap.

The guy ime working for sais he can sell them a few at a time to a smaller mom an pop theater for a couple grand, but that would take time an then he would have to store them. Instead he just scraps each one for 600 bucks a piece as there is a ton of brass plates and other high value metals and motors. I just wish there was a better use for them.

lately being at the scrap yard often I cant tell you how many good things go to scrap. Some would call me a hoarder but I don't like seeing a push mower go to scrap, I mean isn't there some salvageable parts? I see alot of stuff I would try to keep, but those blacksmith tools really got me. 

[Nolatoolguy]

No such luck on getting it.

It turned out to be WFAJ barnes camelback style drill press.

The deal breaker for me was the bent shaft running from the drive belt to front shaft(he said it fell down the basement stairs, and landed on the end of it) witch the chuck would normally be on. And a few handles were missing along with the bottom pulley for the belt. It was basically just a frame and a table.

I told him its still a cool piece but needs a lot of work and some parts made. He understood that. I was still a little interested just to have as a display for now and a project down the road. I made a offer but he decided the sentimental value is worth more then the monetary value. I respect his decision as I probably would of done the same.

Either way it was cool to see.