A request for old junk

[urbpan]

I'm looking for some rusty old metal crap. You see, I'm fixing up my old shed, but I don't want to put shiny new hardware on it--it's jarring and out of place. It's sided with rusty sheet metal, and inside is full of old rusty tools. I think it's all quite beautiful. But in order to make the door work, I need a handle and a bolt-lock.

The handle I'm picturing is this. I'm not prepared to pay 16 bucks for it however. The bolt would be something like this, and rather than buy a new one, I'm hoping to find one on an old door somewhere. And finally, I'd love to have an emblem to hang over the door like the brass sun that we have inside and I'm not allowed to put on the shed. Anything metal and symmetrical and tarnished and such.

So maybe you have this kind of old metal treasure around your house? I can trade, like maybe you want old record albums or a small animal's skull or a type tray or something else? Or I can send you money, just not as much money as buying something on eBay would cost me.

Comments

[donnad.livejournal.com]

Flea Markets and yard sales. I have seen things like that that people are selling for pennies. They would clean out a shed or barn and just throw piles of stuff into boxes hoping someon would just buy the whole lot but selling whatever they can if soemone wants stuff. You may have to dig through boxes they just set out on the ground, but you may find stuff like that.

Failing that, Antique shops. We have dozens up our way with stuff like that that's pretty inexpensive.

[aemiis-zoo.livejournal.com]

You could treat a new metal handle with vinegar and that will expedite the oxidation process. We did this as an experiment with steel wool, and it rusted over night.

[shadowofadoubt.livejournal.com]

Does Boston have a Habitate for Humanity Restore or any architecture salvage places?

Like this: http://www.oldhousesalvage.com/

[miz-geek.livejournal.com]

I agree with the flea market idea. If you're visiting your dad any time soon, the Mansfield Flea Market (http://www.mansfielddrivein.com/marketplace.aspx) has lots of junk. I imagine there's one closer to you, too.

[ndozo.livejournal.com]

If they have bulk garbage day, cruise the gentrifying neighborhoods of old houses. Spring is fix-up time for rich people. It's awful and wonderful what people discard when they renovate those places. When my dog was alive I'd bring screwdrivers and a backpack on walks because there were always old doors and cabinets waiting for the garbage truck. I got loads of beautiful doorknobs, hinges and locks that way.

[ndozo.livejournal.com]

Nothing at the zoo? They'd probably be happy to let you swap out some old weathered thing for a bright shiny Home Cheapo replacement.

new england architectural salvage

[goremeister-666.livejournal.com]

http://www.nedsalvage.com/products.html

a little drive down to ´new beffa´ but they have everything

Re: new england architectural salvage

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Good tip, thanks!

I have a handle, if you want it

[(Anonymous)]

It's brushed nickel like, still new in bag with mounting screws. Almost the same shape as the one in your link, slightly more squared off hangle. Not exactly antique-looking, but maybe you can distress it somehow?

Re: I have a handle, if you want it

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I found one on an old bathroom stall door in an abandoned building. :)