Junk might sound useless, but in Fallout Shelter, it’s a valuable resource. It is required for crafting powerful weapons and outfits that can turn your vault into a wasteland powerhouse.
If you’re not sure what to do with all the junk you’ve collected, this guide breaks it down: what to keep, what to sell, and how to make the most of it.
Fallout Shelter is available on multiple platforms, but this guide is written with mobile players in mind – whether you’re on Android or iOS.
What is Junk in Fallout Shelter?
Junk is a category of items you collect throughout the game that’s used in crafting. You’ll acquire junk from:
Wasteland exploration
Lunchboxes
Quests and objectives
Scrapping weapons and outfits
Junk varies in rarity and usefulness, from common scrap like Rusty Cans, to legendary components like Military Circuit Boards. Knowing which is which, and what to do with them, is key to running an efficient vault.
How Junk is Used: Crafting System Overview
When you unlock the Weapon Workshop at 22 dwellers, or the Outfit Workshop at 32 dwellers, junk suddenly has a use.
You’ll use junk to:
Craft weapons (e.g. MIRV, Dragon’s Maw, Plasma Rifle)
Create outfits (e.g. Expert Lab Coat, Heavy Wasteland Gear)
Upgrade items when resources are scarce
Tip: To craft the Dragon’s Maw, one of the best weapons in the game, you need several high-rarity junk items, like Giddyup Buttercup and Military Duct Tape.
Should You Sell or Keep Junk?
Not all junk is worth hoarding. Here’s when to keep it and when to sell it.
When to Sell Junk:
Early game when you don’t have crafting rooms yet
Running out of storage space
Need Caps fast (selling junk is quicker than farming)
When to Keep Junk:
Mid to late game with crafting fully unlocked
Collecting rare items (some are hard to find)
Planning specific builds (legendary items require specific components)
| Junk Item | Rarity | Common Use | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball Glove | Common | Basic crafting | Sell |
| Toy Car | Common | Basic components | Sell |
| Toaster | Common | Scraps into steel | Sell |
| Scissors | Common | Basic crafting | Sell |
| Fan | Common | Basic scrap source | Sell |
| Desk Fan | Common | Scrap for screws and steel | Keep some |
| Duct Tape | Common | Basic crafting material | Keep some |
| Camera | Rare | Advanced weapons | Keep |
| Globe | Rare | Used in advanced gear | Keep |
| Gold Watch | Rare | Crafting outfits | Keep |
| Microscope | Rare | Advanced weapon crafting | Keep |
| Rad Meter | Rare | Specialised crafting | Keep |
| Recorder | Rare | Used in quests or rare items | Keep |
| Shovel | Rare | Used in crafting | Keep |
| Trifold Flag | Rare | Used in advanced crafting | Keep |
| Wonderglue | Rare | Important crafting component | Keep |
| Yarn | Rare | Outfit crafting | Keep |
| Alarm Clock | Rare | Advanced gear crafting | Keep |
| Giddyup Buttercup | Legendary | Required for top-tier weapons | Always keep |
| Military Circuit Board | Legendary | Crafting endgame gear | Always keep |
| Military Duct Tape | Legendary | Used in high-end recipes | Always keep |
Managing Junk Storage
Once you start exploring the wateland a lot more, junk starts piling up and storage starts to become a problem. Effective storage management is crucial to ensure you’re making the most out of the space you have.
Tips for Storage Management:
Upgrade your storage room to level 3
Build multiple storage rooms if space allows
Scrap low-value weapons/outfits strategically, not automatically
Also, don’t forget that legendary junk takes up just as much space as common junk, so prioritise what’s worth keeping!
Best Junk for Crafting Quality Gear
To craft the most powerful gear, focus on obtaining and keeping rare and legendary junk.
Top Crafting Recipes:
Dragon’s Maw – Military Duct Tape, Giddyup Buttercup
Fire Hydrant Bat – Microscope, Globe
Heavy Wasteland Gear – Yarn, Gold Watch
Tip: When Dwellers return with junk-heavy loot, resist the urge to auto-scrap everything. Tracking what components you’ll need before you start crafting helps avoid selling vital items by mistake.
Summary: Junk Management Strategy at a Glance
Early Game – Sell common junk, save space, build Caps
Mid Game – Start hoarding rare junk, begin crafting gear
Late Game – Prioritise legendary junk, manage storage wisely
If you found this guide helpful, make sure to check out our other Fallout Shelter tips, mobile game strategies, and resource guides.
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