Collector's Dilema

[Cub Cadet 123]

Well, here is a question that I have wrestled with for a while and still scratch my head on without making any progress.....After several cubs and many years of collecting, I have come across several parts that I am not able to salvage/save. For instance, I have a broken hood hinge on my 982 that is cracked all of the way across, a WF fender pan in which the battery box is entirely rusted out and with holes in the fenders where a cab was once attached, etc. Since I am not a welder, and the cost of repair would be prohibitive to what I can just go and buy replacement parts, I wonder should I throw those parts out/scrap them or do I hang on to them, knowing that they are not making them anymore (well, some of them can be found as repops, but not all). Basically, to make a long story short (too late....) at what point does a collector say storage space is extremely limited and the part isn't worth salvaging?

Thanks for your input into this thread.......I think I already know the answer (Let your conscience be your guide. If other people did the same 20, 30, 40 or 50 years ago, then a lot of the parts would not be out in circulation now.), but I would like to hear from other collectors so I do not act hastily.

Cub Cadet 123

[Billy-O]

I'd say learn to weld so you can save the pieces worth repairing. You can get lessons in welding if you can find local adult class in the evenings and/or weekends.

[Jeff in Pa]

You can find a decent 220V single phase ( same voltage as a clothes dryer ) Mig welder on craigslist for a few hundred dollars.

For the sheetmetal, back up the area to be welded with a piece of copper plate. The steel welding will not stick and you can fill holes and weld in patches.

Check out the local vo tech school for night classes to learn how to weld.

[darkminion_17]

scrap the stuff as they made alot of them...

[tasnyder83]

Why don't you throw them up on the "For Sale" page? Let the market make the decision for you.

[rbarri2]

I'm pretty sure I have the hood hinge piece for sale in the classifieds section.
If it's what you need to get the tractor going, just send me shipping and it's yours.

[john hall]

If its a common part and not terribly expensive, then I scrap items that are going to take heroic efforts to repair. Having said that, my background is living on a working grain farm all my life, restoring antique farm equipment, and spending the last 27 years in a machine shop--all that has given me skills and access to equipment most folks don't have when it comes to fixing stuff.
At the same time I've got old parts I pulled off equipment that I saved for reasons like it wasn't COMPLETELY worn out, this will fit ____ and I'm not putting money into that machine, etc. In other words, I've got plenty of "inventory" of my own that I probably should throw out---if you ask my wife I'm a pack rat, case closed.

Some guys mentioned welding--If you have time, money and shop space, why not learn if that is something you want to know how to do? If not, that's OK too.

If you have a bunch of repairable items that you know you aren't going to use, bundle them all together for a next to nothing price and sell them if you can, might help out someone that can't afford better quality.

[Cub Cadet 123]

Originally Posted by rbarri2

I'm pretty sure I have the hood hinge piece for sale in the classifieds section.
If it's what you need to get the tractor going, just send me shipping and it's yours.

Thank you for the kind offer!!! I just bought one about a week and a half ago and have not managed to even find time to open the package. Great advice fellas and I am always appreciative for the knowledge and wisdom of the members on this forum. Unfortunately, time is never a resource that is on my side to learn a new skill.

Cub Cadet 123