Paul, of Self-Reliant Filmmaking, has a neat post about dumpster diving. I remember as a kid, Bannon and I were setting up a laboratory in our ramshackle barn. We needed test tubes, beakers, bunsen burners, etc. to make our lab look like a lab. So, being short of funds, we would dumpster dive behind a clininc and drug store for used and often um, let's just say "soiled" equipment. Nothing a good cleaning could not cure. Anywho, you can find some great stuff for your projects so don't be shy. Go to garbagescout.com and jump right in