Free steel

[m3a1]

Gents,

I fell into a real good deal today and it is something that I want to share with everyone here because there is a very good chance the same deal exists for you in your area.

The local motorcycle place here sells Can-Ams and those buggies come to them on custom built shipping frames made of steel of similar gauge to the metal in our trucks. Among the bits and pieces are a very nice variety of sizes of hat channel, square tubing and assorted other interesting and salvageable stuff almost all of which comes in very useful lengths. Well, guess what - the motorcycle dealer couldn't wait to give it away because to them, it was just junk steel and something that needed to be disposed of. A buddy and I took what they had and split it between us. So, you might want to hunt down your local Can-Am dealer and see what's what.






Cheers,
TJ

[Lindsay36551]

Thanks JT!
have a dealer in town! Heading down there today!

[m3a1]

I might also mention that I came away from the motorcycle dealer with a great many pieces of dunnage because, like the steel, they wanted to be rid of them.

I think these were either used to support jet skis in transit or may have had something to do with the Can-Ams. In the trucking industry, wood dunnage must be free from knots and other imperfections that might cause the wood to break or otherwise have weak points so they aren't junk lumber by any means.

These are large, rectangular wood blocks about 8'x8'x20", similar in size to what you might find a guardrail bolted to. I happen to own a half track and these blocks, properly stacked, will provide a safe, economical means of supporting the weight of the vehicle while I service the crabs, rollers and tracks.

Now, if you're thinking free firewood, I don't see any marks indicating they're pressure treated but I'm not sure I'd chance burning them in an indoor fireplace. Anyway, there are some really good deals to be had out there that are advantageous to this hobby and a penny saved is a penny your can put back into your ride.

Cheers,
TJ

[m3a1]

Lindsay, please let us know how you did!

[rickf]

That stuff is a no-no for fireplaces because it is too dry and will burn too hot. Can cause chimney fires and warp steel fireplaces and crack cast iron ones. Not to mention set the house on fire from radiated heat. lumber is great for starting a fire and setting the bed of coals but that is it. Even then you have to keep it to a minimum burn.