Pathological collecting

Compulsive hoarding (or pathological collecting) is a pattern of behaviour that is characterized by the excessive acquisition of and inability or unwillingness to discard large quantities of objects that would seemingly qualify as useless or without value. Compulsive hoarding behaviour has been associated with health risks, impaired functioning, economic burden, and adverse effects on friends and family members. When clinically significant enough to impair functioning, hoarding can prevent typical uses of space so as to limit activities such as cooking, cleaning, moving through the house, and sleeping. It can also be dangerous if it puts the individual or others at risk for fire, falling, poor sanitation, and other health concerns
If this applies to tools screws hinges nails rivets paint glue solvents as well as wood all types and descriptions steel aluminium nylon all types and sizes and anything else that I have forgot I may have the above medical condition is the medical condition common and what would be the best treatment maybe Buy More. :2tsup::2tsup:

Colbra:)

PS This my humour I take safety very serious

:- I am a life member of the club :U

OK. I am a sort of member too. I try to blame my parents. They went through the Depression and so you make what ever you had last. Dad's philosophy was "If someone offers you something/anything take it, even if its an injection (He was in the Airforce in WWII)'. So with that as a grounding what chance did I have?
I try to get ruthless from time to time and have a big "clean up", that ends up with somethings being thrown away while the rest just gets reorganised into a different place.
What I have noticed that disturbs me is, I will see something and reckon that I could make it, so I think about it and nut it out in my head, even go to the trouble of buying/collecting bits and pieces to make it, then......move on to another project with out using the initial bits to make that thing.
I have a mate that we call Military Man or Gunna (Gunna get around to it one day). Because he does the same thing but on a grander scale involving serious dollars. We helped him move house and discovered an off road trailer that had all the parts, even folded sheet metal, that never got assembled. There were a few other things and as I said serious money
I don't think I am as bad as Gunna, well I hope not.

Does a stainless steel hospital gurney count? If so I picked one up yesterday. I have absolutely no idea what I will do with it. At worst I will pull it apart for the materials. Funny that SWMBO thinks this was quite a reasonable score, I think she must be getting used to it. Actually just recently I notice she has been pretty proficient at collecting stuff from kerbside rubbish collections, :2tsup:

:doh:

What is the opposite to this disease? I hate junk and clutter, I have even stopped looking at websites to buy tools! I looked at some saw stools tonight and as they haven't been used for a long time they might get the flick this week.

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Originally Posted by Chris Parks

What is the opposite to this disease? I hate junk and clutter, I have even stopped looking at websites to buy tools! . . .

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Oh I hate it too, but not enough to get me to chuck stuff out. . . . . .

Chris is Helensburgh far from Woy Woy !
Col :)

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Originally Posted by BobL

Does a stainless steel hospital gurney count? If so I picked one up yesterday. I have absolutely no idea what I will do with it. At worst I will pull it apart for the materials. Funny that SWMBO thinks this was quite a reasonable score, I think she must be getting used to it. Actually just recently I notice she has been pretty proficient at collecting stuff from kerbside rubbish collections, :2tsup:

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Good find Bob TTIT at Emerald in Central Queensland might be able to use it for his in feed table on his band saw just add some roller you can get a four pack $29.00 at Carba Tec lift the log on and lift to correct height push the log through the saw....... or it might be good on the Hills are there any around your way !!!! if there are any more uses we will know in a couple of hrs
Col:)

A partial cure was imposed on me, the pain gradually went away.
I had no choice but to clean 31 years of academic dross out of my office when I retired.
I worked so awful dang hard to create most of it, to toss it was hard (at first). Books, lecture notes, unlabelled jars of specimens, old paper grade records = it all HAD TO GO.

At home, I began to ask myself: "When, in the rest of my life, am I ever going to get to this and finish it off?" Some 50% or more of half-stocked project parts collections went out.
If I can't recall using the stuff (tools excepted) in 5 years, maybe toss it.

For any and all of you younger folks, hang onto that stuff if you have space. It enhances your versatility and stimulates your sense of innovation. The day will creep up on you, soon enough, when you get to heave a sigh of distress and say: "Oh, to Hell with it."

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Originally Posted by colbra

Chris is Helensburgh far from Woy Woy !
Col :)

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Trust me, they aren't worth the trip. A few guys here have been fortunate to get stuff from my clean up but I have finally reached a point that I feel happy with. At one time I backed a trailer into the garage three times and filled it each time and then went to the tip. I miss none of it.

Best of all Chris, I don't remember what I threw out!

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Originally Posted by BobL

Does a stainless steel hospital gurney count? If so I picked one up yesterday. I have absolutely no idea what I will do with it. At worst I will pull it apart for the materials. .............

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Good score :2tsup: I picked one up about 15 years ago and I'm still using parts from it . . . and still have some stored :B . . . that pneumatic damper is going to be handy for something one day :doh::B

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Originally Posted by TTIT

Good score :2tsup: I picked one up about 15 years ago and I'm still using parts from it . . . and still have some stored :B . . . that pneumatic damper is going to be handy for something one day :doh::B

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It's that old it doesn't appear to have a pneumatic damper. It has some sort of simple friction damper on it which I still have to work out how it works. The stainless on it is very "chunky" , and the braked wheels alone are worth a few bob.

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Originally Posted by Robson Valley

Best of all Chris, I don't remember what I threw out!

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Good God…… Robson Valley it looks like you have Alzheimer as well I have it but mine is selective or I think it is I can't rember at the
moment :U

Colbra:)

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Originally Posted by Robson Valley

Best of all Chris, I don't remember what I threw out!

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Good God…….Robson Valley it look like that you have Alzheimer’s as well :D

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Originally Posted by Robson Valley

I had no choice but to clean 31 years of academic dross out of my office when I retired.
I worked so awful dang hard to create most of it, to toss it was hard (at first). Books, lecture notes, unlabelled jars of specimens, old paper grade records = it all HAD TO GO.

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I am facing the same problem in 7 months time. 30+ years of "stuff", including things like rare radioactive samples and several large pieces of equipment that no one else will have a use for. I also have a substantial pile of stuff adopted from two colleagues who passed away in the last 3 years. Fortunately I adopted digital data formats early on so my physical paper stash is relatively small. I still have all of the email I have sent and quite a bit of what has been sent to me since 1994 all on my laptop (19 Gb). I am trying to hand over as much potentially useful stuff as possible to someone who might use it before I go as I know that most of it will end up in a skip. I have recently adopted the approach of trying to get rid of something every few days.

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Originally Posted by Robson Valley

Best of all Chris, I don't remember what I threw out!

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Me neither. A few years ago I got rid of all my books, a collection that I had started when I was a teenager and bought a Kindle. No one wants books at any price but I finally found someone to take my National Geographic collection that I started in 1964 and a lot of issues that went back into the 1940's. I had read it all many times and all they did was collect dust and take up space. My kids would have turfed them anyway so I just saved them the trouble. I found some old books the other day that emerged from hiding and it occurred to me that there was an enormous amount of money sitting in a cardboard box. They went into the bin as well.

We live in a consumer driven society these days, when I was a boy the stuff just did not exist so you could not buy it. I like spending money but I am very selective these days and buy what I need and nothing more. Large companies are inventing more and more ways to separate us from money for stuff that we don't need because if they don't the whole consumer driven economy will collapse. Look at what is happening now, people are not buying the trivial consumer goods they were a few years ago and the retailers just don't get the message. End of rant, I feel better now:)

Just the other day I was thinking about the number of storage facilities that are springing up in towns across Australia (and the world for that matter). You know, the building block covered with "garage" sized sheds that people lease to there "stuff" in. Why are we doing it? Is this the result of consumerism?
OK there will be cases where people are in transit from one house to another and have to store their stuff until the new place is ready for them. But how many times have you heard people say "I've got a....but its in storage". Are we accumulating far more than we need?
On the positive side its creating wealth for the owners of the storage facility offering these sheds at a rate that ends up giving them more return for that house block than they could get from renting one house.

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Originally Posted by Chris Parks

We live in a consumer driven society these days, when I was a boy the stuff just did not exist so you could not buy it. I like spending money but I am very selective these days and buy what I need and nothing more. Large companies are inventing more and more ways to separate us from money for stuff that we don't need because if they don't the whole consumer driven economy will collapse. Look at what is happening now, people are not buying the trivial consumer goods they were a few years ago and the retailers just don't get the message. End of rant, I feel better now:)

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I agree 100%. Just look at what people put on the kerbside rubbish these days. The sheer volume and quality of what is being put out is now similar to what I was seeing in some places in the US 10-15 years ago. There is also an increasing amount of stuff being made that is specifically designed to last for a few years and then it either falls apart or is out of date and "no longer compatible". Both, but especially the latter give me the tom-titts. OTOH engineered obsolescence has the benefit of not being stuck with expensive unsafe 1950's energy hungry technology. i.e. being stuck with a vehicle that gets 8 mpg for 50 years?

I agree with a lot said here regarding clearing out we have done it a few times over the years. We both have said no to so much of late Sue her fibers me wood and some tooling. Just not enough hours in the day, we don't move as fast as when even 35yrs old. So what we have will do still some of that is destined to be passed on or tossed.


Now saying this it brings to the fore that if e do toss things that are collectable worth a few $$ now and they end up as land fill this is how things become even worth more as there are fewer about for collectors to have in their collection. Mind you world population has a little to do with it.

People that come to mind who are great collectors.

Governments around the world Museums, Art galleries and Libraries. Literally Billions of dollars worth hidden and we thought Hitler was bad.

Private collectors.
Royalty again world wide
Auto Museums
Private art galleries and as above in gov situ.

Mum and dad horders yes you and me.:doh:

On thing is Chris is right on the money with in an instant its all worthless, a fire, earth quake, or nuc and were all ash.

We try to be polite and call the forgetful bits = geezer moments. Same as when you're younger and they're called "brain fatrz".
The blissful serenity of it all is that I don't remember having the crap in the first place.

I moonlighted in the F/X business for 20+ years. You cannot conceive of the warehouse of stuff I had. Mythbusters is a joke. But, it paid off in that day and time. New guys couldn't understand what it all was worth until after I filled a couple of bins. Was a hell of thing to wean myself off theatrical shows I'd worked annually for 10+ years.

On Dec19, 2011 I sat out front and watched a production of The Nutcracker Ballet that I had been a major part of (original design, etc) for some 20 years. Away for 10+ years. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about being there. All the oldies knew me. I had a wonderfully good time. And walked out. Tougher than any bone not to look back.

Here's my two bobs worth in reply to Colbra's question/statement!!
I just can't bear to see good useful stuff thrown out; especially older timber.
When I was little my dad would take one load of RUBBISH to the dump and always bring home a load of good useful stuff.
He built so much at home & around the house from the dump.
My training in the RAN was to use what we had to made do and thus a life time of collecting useful bits & pieces along with a whole stact of tools.
Just need a heaps bigger shed for sorting it all out & proper storage.
My wife helps me use up things with many projects for give away.
Pathological collecting or of an era that REUSED, RECYCLED & MADE DO.
Cheers, crowie

Well said Pete those are my principals on ….. Collecting / requisitioning / bartering and if all else fails parting with my money and buying it.
I too did collect from the local tip for some time until they realised there was money in it for them and put a stop to it all there is some great stuff there but now they recycle it.
It comes to my mind of your great collecting feat of acquiring that 100 year old church organ that timber would have been great to re-mill do you have any left now
Those ebony and Ivory keys would have been great in the model building side of things.
While I was away this time I managed to collect quite a bit of timber to mill the best find/ buy was a 2.5 meter bronze shaft out of an old launch the going price was $5.00 from Port Stephens Recycle Centre that was in January this year.
Col:)

I'm a junk collecting tragic too, and many times came back from the local tip with a withdrawal after leaving a deposit.:rolleyes:
I recently moved house- and shed of course- and made the call that anything that wouldn't fit in the container I would toss. That is, one container for the shed and another for the house. A fair bit was returned to the tip, some was grabbed by others, and some I left on the property. The shed container was still packed to the gunwales, weighed in over 10tonne :oo: which I have managed to almost fit into a suburban block!
Yes I have a lot of cr*p, which I can't bring myself unload, as I know I'll be kicking myself that I had such-and-such, BUT... I like having a supply on hand, and the chances are I'll never use it all before I cark it, doesn't matter.:p
My process can be to search out a particular piece to suit the job, but other times the junk I have on hand will inspire me to make something. Or the timber, or the metal.
Pathological? Perhaps, but there's worse out there!!:)

Andy after reading the outcome of you moving and getting rid of your collection of useful pieces of equipment I have slipped into the depths of anxiety depression!...... At the very thought of that happen to me. and god forbit that may never happen to me.
Colbra:)

PS I am sure in time you will get more again :2tsup:

No matter how bad I am I know people (some on this forum) that are way worse than I am. :D I know this defence doesn't hold up in St Peter's court but it still makes me feel better.

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Originally Posted by BobL

No matter how bad I am I know people (some on this forum) that are way worse than I am. :D I know this defence doesn't hold up in St Peter's court but it still makes me feel better.

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Bob I think he may be a collector as well..... I know a mate of his was a carpenter.:)

Colbra:)

Yesterday I collected 3 x 50L blue plastic drums. I have already put one into operation as a metal fume bluing chamber.

Guy I got em from says he has a heap more so I'll be back!

I'm as guilty as the next for collecting stuff, although it does have to have an end use or potential use, the potential use tho can be a bit unknown, only today I needed some long nuts and long bolts for an adjustment arrangment I am working on atm, looking thru some tins I found exactly what I wanted :2tsup: these long nuts/bolts will be out of the old looms at the textile mill I worked at some 20 yrs ago,

I do wonder about which is the best option tho, to collect versus go and buy, there has been time and energy expended on keeping/storing/sorting the long nuts/bolts as there would be if I had of jumped in the car and gone to the nut shop and bought them, embodied energy kind of thing maybe? for me tho I like to have stuff on hand that I have collected so I don't have to jump in the car, when I do use it I justify (in my head) the collecting of stuff (and the consumed energy of the keeping) versus the consumed energy of the going and buying. I also dislike the interuption to the flow of whatever it is I am doing, although this might just be more justification to the collecting, maybe I am a hoarder!!!:oo: no, I can chuck stuff away or into the recycle bin

I too have a hospital bed :; I stripped all the extraneous stuff off to make it a bit more user friendly, mmm I wonder, that is a nice looking handle with a winding mechanism that moves the rod in and out....I wonder what I can use that for:?:?, I'll put it aside, I don't have a lot of space so it may have been moved few times, eventually it moved into the steel recycle pile and was recycled, I'll probably get it back again in the form of a bed frame that I will have spotted at the tip shop, mmm, I can use that, Is there a pattern emerging here:p


Pete

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Originally Posted by BobL

Yesterday I collected 3 x 50L blue plastic drums. I have already put one into operation as a metal fume bluing chamber.

Guy I got em from says he has a heap more so I'll be back!

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Great find Bob there are a lot of uses for a containers of that size
But when I started to read your reply to pathological collecting.
I had a quick look to see if you lived in South Australia.

Snowtown murders - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia :o:o

Col:)

My kids have complained about the amount of second hand timber that I have collected/stored and said that I will never get to use it. They are probably right.
I have told them that they can thrown it all in a heap, set fire to it and throw me on it when the time comes for me to be disposed of.

I really must sort it out when a get a round tuit

Just noticed that this is post 1000 for me.

Hi Pete I don’t see it being guilty more of a debilitating passion for all that is handy in this world….. I have noted that there a lot forum members replying from Queens Land apparently they have collected some sort of football trophy that does not belong to them and refusing to return it to their rightful owners. :C
Colbra:)

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Originally Posted by Chesand

My kids have complained about the amount of second hand timber that I have collected/stored and said that I will never get to use it. They are probably right.
I have told them that they can thrown it all in a heap, set fire to it and throw me on it when the time comes for me to be disposed of.

I really must sort it out when a get a round tuit

Just noticed that this is post 1000 for me.

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Herbie I do not wish to pry but are you a Buddhists Indian

PS Congrates on reaching 1000 I will send you some wood

PPS No offence to any religion or race
Colbra:)

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Originally Posted by Chesand

My kids have complained about the amount of second hand timber that I have collected/stored and said that I will never get to use it. They are probably right.
I have told them that they can thrown it all in a heap, set fire to it and throw me on it when the time comes for me to be disposed of.

I really must sort it out when a get a round tuit

Just noticed that this is post 1000 for me.

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Tell them it's part of their inheritance, worth a bucket of money......

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Originally Posted by colbra

Herbie I do not wish to pry but are you a Buddhists Indian

PS Congrates on reaching 1000 I will send you some wood

PPS No offence to any religion or race
Colbra:)

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No far from it.
Thanks but I have enough wood.

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Originally Posted by crowie

Tell them it's part of their inheritance, worth a bucket of money......

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Hopefully that's about all they will get apart from the house as we are busy SKIN ing (spending kid's inheritance now)

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Originally Posted by colbra

Great find Bob there are a lot of uses for a containers of that size
But when I started to read your reply to pathological collecting.
I had a quick look to see if you lived in South Australia.

Snowtown murders - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia :o:o
Col:)

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Doh - my secret is out!

It's funny the way things work. The mate with the plastic drum was having trouble finding homes for them but obviously he does not mix in the right circles. After telling me I informed my contacts and within minutes I was able to find homes for all the drums plus his incoming supply for the next 6 months. ,

I have a good mate,Mechanic by trade, who is a bit of a bugger. If you, in conversation, mention that you are contemplating making a.....the next time you see him he has parts of the....thing. He is a hoarder for sure. Its annoying at times because I may be only contemplating not actually going to build....The other day I foolishly mentioned I would like to extend the roof on the shed to create a carport for vehicles in front. He says "I know where there is some purlin. Its 2400 long and 100high. How many do you want?" I had to tell him that they would be way too short (I need 6mts) He was not happy that I didn't take up his offer.
He also acquired 3 hospital beds from a tender shed for $50. He gave me one and another mate and kept one for himself. I retired the office desk I was using for a knock up bench put some mdf on the bed and now I have a height adjustable knock up bench. It is probably a little bugger than I would prefer but its here and it works. I didn't disturb much of its machicals just in case I need the bed if I get incapacitated at some time.
Not that long ago I dug out some bits for a job I was doing that I had collected when I was an apprentice (Yeh I have had them in cold storage for 40 years, Pathological?)

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Originally Posted by chambezio

Not that long ago I dug out some bits for a job I was doing that I had collected when I was an apprentice (Yeh I have had them in cold storage for 40 years, Pathological?)

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:U With the bolts/nuts that I dug out the other day I thought I've had these a while, 20 yrs or so, then I thought, I wonder How long is the longest somebody has had something in cold storage for? Chambezio's 40 yrs beats my 20 for sure.


Pete