The junk scrapping workbench mod I used back in 2016 is long gone, so I searched for a replacement and found multiple options on Nexus. To aid other players in their choice, here is the following tests results and my review of 5 of them:
Note that none of these are capable of scrapping weapons or armor, and that is an issue with the game engine, not the mods. Everyone wishes this functionality existed, but it doesn’t.
Scrapping Machine by pra https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/35793 Requires F4SE, works as described by author. Pros: simple, functional. Adds two machines, “Scrapping Machine” that the player can place junk in manually one item at a time, and a “Workshop Scrapping Machine” that the player can use to scrap all junk items stored in the workbench. Cons: No “dump all junk” with one click option for the “Scrapping Machine,” must place everything individually. No way to avoid scrapping useful junk in the workbench without pulling it out. No separate function to activate scrapping, so once you back out of the input menu, it will scrap everything placed automatically.
Workshop Junk Grinder by Pharros https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/23328 Unclear if it requires F4SE based on description; I always test mods with it so I was using it. Does not work (for me) as described by author. Pros: seems to work exactly the same as the “Scrapping Machine” part of the above mod for some players. Ultra simple and minimal (especially if it doesn’t require F4SE, which it may not.) Cons: Many players, myself included, cannot get it to work. The Settlement Object can be created, but it requires power and refuses to connect to a generator or work right next to one. Due to this, I cannot recommend; Scrapping Machine by pra works better for the same purpose.
Scrap-O-Tron 2000 by djxavier13 https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/17167 F4SE not required. Works mostly as described by author, with some additional info in comments. Pros: Has the best functionality in a single package. Only option that can transfer all junk into it (instead of into workbench first like Scrapping machine). Additional function transfers all junk except scrappable junk that is used as crafting ingredient or has a survival purpose. Placed junk can be recovered after exiting container menu since a separate function activates it. Gained components can be taken from machine or transferred to the workbench with yet another function. Cons: Buttons will flicker and disappear with certain camera angles at close range. Limited portable use option crafted at chemistry station would have been a huge pro, except it doesn’t work quite as intended; breeding additional kits with each use, potentially infinitely as it can be used without actually scrapping anything. The “Transfer all Junk Except…” function does require a second plugin to work with DLC-added items or to exempt vanilla items with additional Survival mode functions, but it’s not a huge deal.
Portable Junk Recycler by Kentington https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/14110 F4SE not required, AFAIK. Works as described by author. Pros: Simple, no requirements. Seems to do what it says on the tin. Cons: Hasn’t been supported in 6 years, and there are reports of bugs by other users (which I cannot personally attest to as I only tested it in a settlement briefly. I used this years ago in tandem with another mod, I vaguely remember it working fine.)
Portable Junk Recycler Mk 2 by rux616 https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/54138 F4SE and MCM required. Works as described by author (mostly) and still supported. Pros: Insanely customizable. Can work identically to the original mod it was built to replace, but many additional options as well to cater to various playstyles. Various versions can be selected on install, and then virtually all options can be changed from MCM in game. Highlights for me include the option to turn off all the notifications of components added by scrapping, the ability to make it limited use or not, and 2 different crafting recipes which require simple or alternatively some very rare components to make it a real reward. Actively supported by the author who responds to almost every post on the mod page, and is working to squash bugs and polish this bad boy to perfection. Cons: Author does say in description that this may cause problems by uninstalling since it adds some scripts to items. Uninstalling is generally not recommended for most mods though. Is a much beefier file than the original, but we’re still only talking 8 MBs in all. Requires Script Extender and MCM, but this isn’t really a downside as they (IMO) should be included in your mod list by default. Some players may be overwhelmed with the sheer amount of options but the complicated stuff can be switched off at a higher level in the menu easily. Multipliers could be a little game-breaking but are again optional, and higher loot appeals to some people. I’m nitpicking and reaching just to be as impartial as possible; these are all minor/non-issues at best.
My thoughts: While the Scrapping Machine has its upside and I prefer it visually, to me the clear winner for the Settlement Object versions is Scrap-O-Tron 2000. Both will receive an endorsement from me, but I’m officially recommending Scrap-O-Tron, with the caveat to avoid using its portable function entirely. Of the Portable versions, the Mk2 is the way to go. It is supported, updated, and far less buggy. It’s functionality blows the original out of the water. Therefore it is receiving my endorsement and my official recommendation. In my upcoming playthough, I will personally be using Scrap-O-Tron and Portable Junk Recycler Mk 2 in tandem. I plan to craft the Portable with the simple recipe as a limited use item, then craft the rare-ingredient option as infinite use down the line.
Yes, the workbench junk grinder does require power. The way to connect it to power is place a power conduit on top of it and then connect power cable from the power connector to a source of power. Once the workbench junk grinder has power, it will work.
Connecting power to the workbench junk grinder is not the most obvious, so it took me a few seconds to figure out, but then I remembered how some lights and other things that need power just need to be within a short distance of a power conduit. So I use the top-mounting power conduit and place it directly on top of the workshop junk grinder, then connect the power conduit itself to a power source via power cabling wire.
This mod is as it says in the description, it's simple and easy. This mod not only allowed me to organize my resources, it took the stuttering out of my settlement, which was caused by me having over 50000 scraps in the workshop
Been using this for a bit now, and I'm not taking this out of my load order whatsoever. 76 had good intentions with things such as the Tinker's Bench to scrap all junk in your inv on the fly, or auto scrap all junk when you chose to store it, but with this, I just dump everything into any of my workbenches and activate the junk machine to break down everything at once.
And for those trying to figure out where its at, for me, its in Resources > Misc. Mines to the far right, but bear in mind I have a borderline unhealthy amount of workshop mods going.
"I just dump everything into any of my workbenches and activate the junk machine to break down everything at once." How do you do that? How did you manage to automatically pull items out of workbenches into the grinder? And how do you activate it? My grinder is active all the times even without the power but it does not pull anything from the workbenches automatically.
I use Place Everywhere and put the Workshop Grinder down, then connect a makeshift battery to it for the 1 unit of power it needs (from a mod most likely and don't remember which, I have a lot of building mods at this point).
Thehn go to the workbench at whatever settlement you are using for your components, and store all junk there, then the workshop grinder when you activate it will "link" to that bench and break down junk in that inventory. Though, it tends to work a bit better for me to have my own place not linked with supply lines so I can keep the junk components that other items need to craft that are a bit more high value from being broken down as well. Typically Red Rocket is my scrap base using Norespawns' Red Rocket to have it walled up and ready to have for myself.
Give Feedback
94 comments
Note that none of these are capable of scrapping weapons or armor, and that is an issue with the game engine, not the mods. Everyone wishes this functionality existed, but it doesn’t.
Scrapping Machine by pra
https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/35793
Requires F4SE, works as described by author.
Pros: simple, functional. Adds two machines, “Scrapping Machine” that the player can place junk in manually one item at a time, and a “Workshop Scrapping Machine” that the player can use to scrap all junk items stored in the workbench.
Cons: No “dump all junk” with one click option for the “Scrapping Machine,” must place everything individually. No way to avoid scrapping useful junk in the workbench without pulling it out. No separate function to activate scrapping, so once you back out of the input menu, it will scrap everything placed automatically.
Workshop Junk Grinder by Pharros
https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/23328
Unclear if it requires F4SE based on description; I always test mods with it so I was using it. Does not work (for me) as described by author.
Pros: seems to work exactly the same as the “Scrapping Machine” part of the above mod for some players. Ultra simple and minimal (especially if it doesn’t require F4SE, which it may not.)
Cons: Many players, myself included, cannot get it to work. The Settlement Object can be created, but it requires power and refuses to connect to a generator or work right next to one. Due to this, I cannot recommend; Scrapping Machine by pra works better for the same purpose.
Scrap-O-Tron 2000 by djxavier13
https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/17167
F4SE not required. Works mostly as described by author, with some additional info in comments.
Pros: Has the best functionality in a single package. Only option that can transfer all junk into it (instead of into workbench first like Scrapping machine). Additional function transfers all junk except scrappable junk that is used as crafting ingredient or has a survival purpose. Placed junk can be recovered after exiting container menu since a separate function activates it. Gained components can be taken from machine or transferred to the workbench with yet another function.
Cons: Buttons will flicker and disappear with certain camera angles at close range. Limited portable use option crafted at chemistry station would have been a huge pro, except it doesn’t work quite as intended; breeding additional kits with each use, potentially infinitely as it can be used without actually scrapping anything. The “Transfer all Junk Except…” function does require a second plugin to work with DLC-added items or to exempt vanilla items with additional Survival mode functions, but it’s not a huge deal.
Portable Junk Recycler by Kentington
https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/14110
F4SE not required, AFAIK. Works as described by author.
Pros: Simple, no requirements. Seems to do what it says on the tin.
Cons: Hasn’t been supported in 6 years, and there are reports of bugs by other users (which I cannot personally attest to as I only tested it in a settlement briefly. I used this years ago in tandem with another mod, I vaguely remember it working fine.)
Portable Junk Recycler Mk 2 by rux616
https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/54138
F4SE and MCM required. Works as described by author (mostly) and still supported.
Pros: Insanely customizable. Can work identically to the original mod it was built to replace, but many additional options as well to cater to various playstyles. Various versions can be selected on install, and then virtually all options can be changed from MCM in game. Highlights for me include the option to turn off all the notifications of components added by scrapping, the ability to make it limited use or not, and 2 different crafting recipes which require simple or alternatively some very rare components to make it a real reward. Actively supported by the author who responds to almost every post on the mod page, and is working to squash bugs and polish this bad boy to perfection.
Cons: Author does say in description that this may cause problems by uninstalling since it adds some scripts to items. Uninstalling is generally not recommended for most mods though. Is a much beefier file than the original, but we’re still only talking 8 MBs in all. Requires Script Extender and MCM, but this isn’t really a downside as they (IMO) should be included in your mod list by default. Some players may be overwhelmed with the sheer amount of options but the complicated stuff can be switched off at a higher level in the menu easily. Multipliers could be a little game-breaking but are again optional, and higher loot appeals to some people. I’m nitpicking and reaching just to be as impartial as possible; these are all minor/non-issues at best.
My thoughts:
While the Scrapping Machine has its upside and I prefer it visually, to me the clear winner for the Settlement Object versions is Scrap-O-Tron 2000. Both will receive an endorsement from me, but I’m officially recommending Scrap-O-Tron, with the caveat to avoid using its portable function entirely.
Of the Portable versions, the Mk2 is the way to go. It is supported, updated, and far less buggy. It’s functionality blows the original out of the water. Therefore it is receiving my endorsement and my official recommendation.
In my upcoming playthough, I will personally be using Scrap-O-Tron and Portable Junk Recycler Mk 2 in tandem. I plan to craft the Portable with the simple recipe as a limited use item, then craft the rare-ingredient option as infinite use down the line.
Connecting power to the workbench junk grinder is not the most obvious, so it took me a few seconds to figure out, but then I remembered how some lights and other things that need power just need to be within a short distance of a power conduit. So I use the top-mounting power conduit and place it directly on top of the workshop junk grinder, then connect the power conduit itself to a power source via power cabling wire.
Thank you for this simple but useful mod.
This mod not only allowed me to organize my resources, it took the stuttering out of my settlement, which was caused by me having over 50000 scraps in the workshop
And for those trying to figure out where its at, for me, its in Resources > Misc. Mines to the far right, but bear in mind I have a borderline unhealthy amount of workshop mods going.
How do you do that? How did you manage to automatically pull items out of workbenches into the grinder? And how do you activate it?
My grinder is active all the times even without the power but it does not pull anything from the workbenches automatically.
Thehn go to the workbench at whatever settlement you are using for your components, and store all junk there, then the workshop grinder when you activate it will "link" to that bench and break down junk in that inventory. Though, it tends to work a bit better for me to have my own place not linked with supply lines so I can keep the junk components that other items need to craft that are a bit more high value from being broken down as well. Typically Red Rocket is my scrap base using Norespawns' Red Rocket to have it walled up and ready to have for myself.
I, for the life of me, cannot find the machine. Is there a way to spawn it in manually or could someone help me find it's location?
Never mind I found it. It's located in Power -> Manufacturing -> Machinery.