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Harddrives - a thread I can't find

| Dismantling, Breaking Down & Maximizing Scrap
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    Gord started this thread.
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    Harddrives - a thread I can't find

    Grrr...I know I have read a thread on this, but I can't find it after 2 days so let the harassment begin.



    Somebody had posted the tool they bought (and bits I believe) for dismantling hard drives. I've been search here and googling but haven't found what someone had posted. I remembered it since it was pretty cool and people commented the cheap chinese knock off was good also. Help and harassment both gladly accepted


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    I think it's mostly torx tips, and I think sizes 6,7,8,9

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    Mechanic688's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gord View Post
    Grrr...I know I have read a thread on this, but I can't find it after 2 days so let the harassment begin.

    Somebody had posted the tool they bought (and bits I believe) for dismantling hard drives. I've been search here and googling but haven't found what someone had posted. I remembered it since it was pretty cool and people commented the cheap chinese knock off was good also. Help and harassment both gladly accepted
    Here's one place to start; http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/disma...ard-drive.html

    Here's the tool I use; http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/tools...n-e-scrap.html

    http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/disma...n-numbers.html

    Sorry Gord, I'll try to be quicker next time;
    P & M Recycling - Specializing in E-Waste Recycling.
    If you enjoy your freedom, thank a vet.

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    KeyCityRecycling's Avatar
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    Is it really worth your time to dismantle a hard drive? I don't think it is even profitable to remove the boards. I think your better off selling them whole and spending your time doing something that will make you more money.

    I did an experiment with hard drives. I piled up 12 pounds of hard drives on the scale. 12.4 to be exact. Took off the boards and only got 1 pound of boards.

    At ARCOA's current price on hard drives with boards is $1.18/pound. That would be $14.16 (12 X $1.18) for them whole.

    ARCOA is currently paying $.42 for hard drives without the boards. That would be $4.62 (11 X $.42) and the boards are fetching $10.20. So the total if I broke them down and sold the boards and the hard drives without boards I would end up with $14.82. Is it really worth my time to make and extra $.20 to take off the board?

    If you spend your time tearing apart the drive what do I end up with then out of the 12 pounds of hard drives? 1 pound of boards ($10.20), maybe 8 pounds of clean aluminum if I'm lucky which at $.50 would come to $4.00, the magnets, not even a pound of copper and the platters. I don't think you can sell the aluminum at scrap prices or even sell the platters and the magnets on Ebay and pay for your time taking apart the drives.

    I'm sure someone will disagree with me so fire away.

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    firing here, KCR ; ) Most of us are stuck with shipping costs (per weight, as opposed to "toss another box in the truck"), making hard drives near worthless. The boards however, can be shipped economically at a profit, we're still stuck with a near worthless hard drive

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    mikeinreco's Avatar
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    I pull the boards and ship them to ewasted.........I sell the drives (without boards) locally for .20/lb...........Best deal I have here in Knoxville

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bear View Post
    firing here, KCR ; ) Most of us are stuck with shipping costs (per weight, as opposed to "toss another box in the truck"), making hard drives near worthless. The boards however, can be shipped economically at a profit, we're still stuck with a near worthless hard drive
    I understand your point of view. Each individual is an a different situation when it comes to how far they need to truck their material and how economical it is.

    What is the closest yard to you paying for whole hard drives?

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    As far as removing the boards from the drives it is fairly easy and quick....As long as you have the right tool i can do several a minute if not more...........

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    I haven't even asked KCR. All the places near me are basic hick stations, the nearest one doesn't even distinguish grades of Al, it's either clean, or dirty. Car engines go as short iron, yesterday was .07/pound

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    KeyCityRecycling's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bear View Post
    I haven't even asked KCR. All the places near me are basic hick stations, the nearest one doesn't even distinguish grades of Al, it's either clean, or dirty. Car engines go as short iron, yesterday was .07/pound
    What is the closest large city to you and how far away is it?

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    Mechanic688's Avatar
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    While you are trying to figure out the best way; for the guys/gals that are trying to "average out" the boards, here is the problem. These boards are all out of HD's so you can see there is quite a bit of difference in size (weight). Makes trying to figure the price per board that much harder.

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    Gord started this thread.
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    Since Im just starting and have 30 harddrives I want to give it a try. No local buyers pay more than .85/lb for hard drives. And thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    Gord started this thread.
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    oh and harddrive searches and hard drive don't return the same thing.... dam

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    you got 1 lb of boards from 12 lbs of HD, wow I would take that all day. im getting 17 boards to a lb. at 2,2 lb per drive that is 1 lb of boards per 37 lb of drives.

    you also have to consider there are many different types of scrappers here , from the buy /gal who has to cary a plastic grocery sack to the yard to just survive to those who handle a million lbs. thats why we try to cover all aspects, and methods.

    ps. the bits are star bits T 5,6,7,8,9,10. 2 most common 8,10. to get them with out having to get a whole kit , small precision drivers are available at home depot/lows single bits are available at menards or fastenal
    Last edited by EcoSafe; 07-27-2012 at 05:14 PM.

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  19. #15
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    Lol, I love how the OP put that disclaimer in before he posted his question

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mechanic688 View Post
    Sorry Gord, I'll try to be quicker next time;
    Yeah! What were you doing, sleeping?

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    to the OP,

    as much as i hate walmart this little toolkit has all the small bits you would need for harddrives, plus the extension that comes in the kit can be used with a screw gun, making teardowns pretty quick once you get a rhythm going.

    Walmart.com: Ultra Steel Precision Screwdriver Set, 44pc: Tools


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