There is a recycling yard I frequent.. They sell you the metal by the pound. Scored about $1500 worth of clean aluminum stock (Strips, angles, etc) for $50. Also purchased an aluminum drum major stand, retails for $750.. Had a bent wheel. Fixed it and used it as a work platform around the house for years. And then it was stolen. Paid $35 for it, I think..
There were missile boxes and casings that I am still kicking myself for not picking up. It was just the shells, no guts at all, and needed some parts to look complete, but damn, how cool would it be to have a missile hanging from the shop roof??
I also passed up brand new 6 foot floor mount network racks. About a dozen of them.. Would have paid $22 each for complete racks.. Couldn't ebay em though, shipping was cost prohibitive. Still should have picked up a couple.