When exploring the wastelands of Fallout 76, it’s easy to overlook the piles of junk scattered throughout Appalachia. However, not all junk is created equal. Some items hold significant value, especially for crafting, repairing, and base building. As someone who has spent countless hours scavenging and scrapping, I’ve learned firsthand which items you should never pass up. Here's a list of 10 Fallout 76 junk items worth keeping, and exactly why they deserve space in your stash.

1. Aluminum Cans

Aluminum is essential in Fallout 76, especially for repairing and crafting armor and weapons. I always make a point to collect aluminum cans whenever I see them. They're lightweight and scrap down into one of the most in-demand resources. If you're into Power Armor like I am, aluminum is non-negotiable.

2. Circuitry-Containing Electronics

Telephones, hot plates, and typewriters may look like junk, but they contain valuable components like circuitry and screws. Circuitry is a critical material for energy weapons, turrets, and base defense systems. These are must-haves for anyone who takes their Fallout 76 building items buy strategy seriously.

3. Giddyup Buttercup Parts

This iconic pre-war toy is more than just a nostalgic prop. Giddyup Buttercup parts contain a variety of useful components like gears, springs, and screws—materials you’ll constantly need for crafting and upgrading gear. They’re not always easy to find, but I grab every one I see.

4. Fans and Desk Fans

Don’t overlook the humble fan. It might seem mundane, but fans scrap into gears, screws, and even aluminum—materials you’ll use constantly when crafting turrets, weapons, and power armor mods. During my early days in Fallout 76, these were among the first junk items I hoarded, and for good reason.

5. Military-Grade Circuit Boards

Harder to find but extremely valuable, these circuit boards are excellent sources of high-end crafting components like circuitry and fiber optics. If you're into energy weapons or advanced tech, these boards are gold. They’re usually found in military locations, so keep your eyes peeled.

6. Yardsticks and Toy Cars

These may look like odd picks, but items like toy cars provide screws, a precious commodity in Fallout 76. Yardsticks break down into wood, which is still useful for crafting. You’ll never regret having extra screws, especially during events or when repairing turrets and traps.

7. Abraxo Cleaner

Not only is it useful for quests, but Abraxo Cleaner contains antiseptic and acid—two underrated components for crafting chems, purifiers, and even weapon mods. I’ve often regretted selling it off early on, so now I make sure to stash it.

8. Bones and Bone Saws

They provide bone shards, which are useful in making cutting fluids and other crafting recipes. While not as flashy as aluminum or circuitry, bones are vital for medical and workshop supplies. I always grab these when I'm low on adhesive or acid and need to craft fluids.

9. Fuses and Light Bulbs

Fuses contain copper and circuitry, both necessary for energy-based Fallout 76 items like generators, lights, and defense systems. If you're building a CAMP with functional lighting or electrical systems, these are a must. I learned this the hard way while setting up my base and running short on copper.

10. Wonderglue and Duct Tape

Adhesive is the backbone of all crafting in Fallout 76. Without it, you can’t repair or upgrade anything. Wonderglue and duct tape are among the best adhesive sources. I never scrap or sell them—they’ve saved me during countless missions when my weapon durability dropped mid-fight.

When managing your stash space in Fallout 76, it’s tempting to offload junk to make room for weapons and armor. But these 10 items offer long-term benefits for crafting, building, and survival. Whether you're into CAMP design, modding weapons, or trading Fallout 76 building items buy style, keeping the right junk can make a huge difference.

Speaking from experience, I’ve been in situations where my gear was about to break mid-event, and having these materials on hand let me repair on the fly. Junk may look useless at first, but in the wasteland, it's often the difference between survival and failure. So next time you’re looting a house or factory, think twice before skipping that battered clipboard or busted fan—they might just be the lifeline your build needs.

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