R,
What is the betting most of that IS what people have thrown away. The secret is being there at the right time to catch it.
Both Steve and myself discussed this well over a year ago, and warned people to start collecting then. Since then the price has gone up dramatically, and to buy from a metal factor now makes our hobbies very expensive.
It is no use sitting back and hope it comes to you, you have to get on your bike and find the stuff.
Ask neighbours and friends that if they are taking anything for disposal, let you have a look at it first. It is astounding what people throw away, and most things have materials in that we can use, even if it is only a bit of 1/4" rod.
Anyway, nice collection Steve, looks like you took our own advice.
I attempted to sort mine into material specific bins under my bench, but run out of bin space, so most is still outside in my big plastic storage box, and laying about the garden, and in even more storage boxes etc etc.
It is nice just to have a bit of a root, and find just the bit you need to do the job.
I was only talking to Stew the other day about the 1/2" thick ali plate my mate gets me for nothing. It is now 55 squid for a 12" square piece. I will use that much for each little engine I make, just for the bed plates and flywheels.
John
