For a Buck

Some people are just unable to see the potential in a "less than mint" item. That's OK, it just leaves more stuff for us cheap, um, I mean thrifty, guys to buy.

It takes a mental shift to change gears and realize what it is that you're looking for.  I was in need of Ives trucks recently, but they were scarce and when I found them people were asking $50 apiece for them.  It took a slap upside the head to realize that the very beat-up  Ives cars going on eBay for $20 each had TWO trucks... not to mention two couplers and other parts.  Some people think naturally along the lines of "part it out", but it's a different way of looking at things.

david

I was looking for some Lionel postwar metal trucks once. Thee was a dealer with a table set up a show that had them for $8 each, but he also had a 6462 gondola that was just about cracked in half for $5 with a nice pair of trucks under it. 

J White

the first place I look at a show is the junk boxes. I've gotten several sets of trucks from rusted/busted cars for less than bare trucks. even the easily found damaged SP cabooses usually have at least one couple truck, and can be found for under $10.

most of the hollow "balloon" wheels I find for Non Pareil, Mohawk, Ohio Art or Chein floor trains are from junk boxes or completely trashed original units. Most are easily less than a few dollars, if you can hide your excitement when finding them.

For many applications a "parts source" is one you create yourself by picking up those  junker pieces where you find them. This practice has saved me many times.

Jim McC