[ReverseEngineer]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('From the LA times', 'T')rying to solve a more tangible problem, lawmakers moved to crack down on rampant metal theft.
The rising value of aluminum, bronze, copper and other metals has spurred thieves to yank wiring from buildings and air-conditioning units, steal manhole covers and irrigation pumps and destroy statues and fire hydrants. After being sold for quick cash, the metal is often sold again.
Efforts to curb such theft last year failed. This year lawmakers agreed on a measure that would require scrap dealers to get photographs, thumbprints and addresses of sellers and to pay them by check with a three-day delay.

[killJOY]

Our 1940s John Deere manure spreader is now worth more in scrap than what we paid for it or what we could get for it. We paid $100 fifteen or so years ago for the piece. It's a cruddy little gem, ground-driven, and has hauled hundreds of tons of crap.

We could get at least $500 for it now for scrap. I hope it lasts, because we won't be able to afford to buy another at this rate.

[steam_cannon]

I know a guy who goes around to pick up heavy stuff left out after yard sales to sell for scrap.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('killJOY', 'O')ur 1940s John Deere manure spreader is now worth more in scrap than what we paid for it

[frankthetank]

My buddy, the policeman, told me a couple of stories in the past 2 weeks.

One was a couple of guys who took a bunch of aluminum from a workplace (they didn't work at) and when questioned said they had permission. The boss said no they didn't. The workers said they didn't. Hard to prove what happened so i think he was going to get them to give the money to the boss...although unsure. He could have charged them.

Second was just a few days ago. A huge apartment is being painted? so they pulled the siding off (not to throw it) and had it sitting in the yard covered with cloth. It was gone by the next day. Didn't find the siding yet.

Went on to tell me that its a huge problem even here.

[StuckInPhilly]

We had traffic stopped the other day for a stolen manhole cover. My understanding is that it's becoming a rather common problem in other areas, too.

It's hard for me to imagine a manhole cover as being worth the effort to haul that heavy puppy up, but I guess it is now.

[shortonoil]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('killJOY', 'I') hope it lasts, because we won't be able to afford to buy another at this rate.

[Dreamtwister]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('StuckInPhilly', 'I')t's hard for me to imagine a manhole cover as being worth the effort to haul that heavy puppy up, but I guess it is now.

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ReverseEngineer', 'I')RS Agent: So Carlos, how did you get all this wire?
Carlos: I won it in a Poker Game man.
IRS Agent: Who did you win it from Carlos?
Carlos: I won it from Pepe with a Full House
IRS Agent: Where can I find Pepe? Did you get his Prints and his Pic?

[TheDude]

Also becoming a target: Solar panels are hot for the stealing - Inside Bay Area
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')hey turn the sun's rays into usable electricity, with proponents calling it an environmentally friendly alternative that saves money on utilities. But the growing number of solar panels being installed on roofs of government buildings, private businesses and homes are becoming a hot commodity in a way many say they didn't expect.

East Bay law enforcement has been seeing a number of solar panel thefts. One industry expert said it was an uncommon crime, but there was a brief spree of thefts six weeks ago throughout the Bay Area. "The solar panel thing is pretty new," said Contra Costa County Sherriff's Office spokesman Jimmy Lee of the thefts. "We're seeing an increasing number of cases."

In July, a sheriff's deputy found a Pittsburg man with solar panels stolen from the Pleasanton school district over the summer. In that case, 39 two-foot-by-four-foot solar panels worth about $800 each were stolen from Hearst Elementary school in mid-June shortly after the end of the school year, said school district spokeswoman Myla Grasso.

She said it's unknown when the theft happened or if the panels were taken at different times. Employees learned of it after finding parts left on the ground. "We were surprised," Grasso said. She said the district has had wire and other theft from school sites, but had not expected someone would get on the roof and steal the panels.

[StuckInPhilly]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dreamtwister', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('StuckInPhilly', 'I')t's hard for me to imagine a manhole cover as being worth the effort to haul that heavy puppy up, but I guess it is now.

[strider3700]

In the woods behind my house there are 3 trucks and 1 canopy that I know of that where dumped probably 20+ years ago. the aluminum off of the canopy is definitely worth taking the time to recover.

The 3 trucks are probably worth about $1000 in scrap maybe more( I have no idea how much steel there is in an early 60's suburban) The only question is it worth taking the time to cut up the big pieces to haul out of there or not. Stuff like the doors and hood can just be tossed into the trailer and taken back.

A few years back there was a thread about garbage dump mining. A lot of "garbage" out there will be recovered.

[Roy]

[yesplease]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TheDude', 'R')emember when this was the sort of scenario you'd only hear about from the "Peak Oil lunatic fringe"? People really need slaps upside the head, this is only common sense: High value item + criminals = potential for theft.

[Dreamtwister]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('strider3700', 'I')n the woods behind my house there are 3 trucks and 1 canopy that I know of that where dumped probably 20+ years ago. the aluminum off of the canopy is definitely worth taking the time to recover.
The 3 trucks are probably worth about $1000 in scrap maybe more( I have no idea how much steel there is in an early 60's suburban) The only question is it worth taking the time to cut up the big pieces to haul out of there or not. Stuff like the doors and hood can just be tossed into the trailer and taken back.

[katnipkid]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('steam_cannon', 'I') know a guy who goes around to pick up heavy stuff left out after yard sales to sell for scrap.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('killJOY', 'O')ur 1940s John Deere manure spreader is now worth more in scrap than what we paid for it

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dreamtwister', 'W')ell your typical manhole cover is about 100 lb of iron. Scrap iron goes for around $0.40/lb.

[shortonoil]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SPG', 'T')his page quotes iron as paying between $0.01 and $0.04/lb:

[strider3700]

If I remember correctly they where offering $120/tonne last time I was out there.

[Ferretlover]

IMHO, it doesn't matter what the resource-raw or manufactured-is;
If they see it (and/or can reach it), [s]they[/s] thieves will come and [s]get [/s]steal it.
There have always been thieves-the only thing that has changed is what they steal now. As the population numbers go up, so will the thefts.

[Revi]

Cast Iron is the new precious metal. The price of everything went up, and now has settled a lot. I know people who sold an old bus without a transmission or motor. They got over 2000 bucks for it!

An old F-150 was going for almost $500. Think about it, what could you get for some of these old gas hogs? Maybe they are worth more as scrap than as used trucks!