There is so much guess work in grading boards for beginners like me

There is so much guess work in grading boards for beginners like me and until somewhat of a system is created we are going to have to keep posting pics and asking you veterans the same questions. I know that many buyers have different grading scales but can we discuss what you like to see and what you don't like to see on a circuit board when classifying it.

Here's my idea: A 10 point scale with 10 being high-grade, and 1 being scrap-grade.

All we need is some input from buyers.


For example (this is fictional since I don't grade :

Input 1) Color of board
Brown = 1 point, Green = 4 points

Input 2) Markings of Gold Throughout the circuit board
Yes = 3 points, no = 0 points

Input 3) Number of slots
0-3 = 1 point, 4-up = 2 points

If this were it for the grading we would add up the scores and see what type of board we have. I would assume somethings would have negative values. For example, I would assume that heavy bulky steel would have negative as it would not be desired by board buyers.


So, what are some things you like


What are some things you don't like

I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but I believe you have to trust your buyer. The buyers on the forum have proved themselves to be trustworthy. If it's green and as easy says, looks like a big city with lot's going on, pack it up and ship it and wait for a check.

Grading can be frustrating for many people and just starting out like you are things are going to be difficult. I am still learning things now and I have been doing this for quite a long time now. Have I made costly mistakes? You can bet your barking bunyons....However, in the process I was able to learn a thing or two.

I am not trying to be rude or insulting here so please don't take me wrong here but I think you are over-complicating the issue of grading boards. Seperating the boards by their type is not so difficult when you get some basic knowledge.

As Dee said, most buyers will be more than happy to help you with grading. I myself am hoping to get a grading library put up on my website to assist customers in grading but even that will be only a drop in the bucket. I still find boards that I have never seen in different items and I need to find out from my buyer what the board is and how it fits into the grading system.

Yea good rule of thumb...if the board looks like a large city and there is alot going on....most likely is high grade....if you look at it and it looks like a country field with a few towers...its most likely low grade.

Hang in there. It gets easier as you go and definately trust the buyers from this board for some good info.

You can bet your barking bunyons....[/QUOTE] That's the funniest thing I've heard all day!!!!.......Thanx CS!!!

I'm switching buyers very soon.

The last guy I dealt with had 3 different grades:

Low Grade - CRT boards and brown boards in general.

Medium Grade - Printer boards, modem and router/hub boards, the green boards from CD/DVD Players, etc. Pretty much anything without gold fingers and pins.

High Grade - Mother Boards, Expansion Cards, Etc.

The prices were so low it's painful to think about.

I've been doing this for years and have been shooting myself in the foot.

You need to look up ewasted. He is in ohio and will treat you very well. I have dealt with him myself and I think you might benefit from him the most seeing your in ohio as well. Just an opinion take it for what its worth. Not trying to push him over others either but just mentioning he is local to you. Notice I didnt mention that other non forum member company:)

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Notice I didnt mention that other non forum member company

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Someone mentioned a buyer down by Columbus Oh. but we have not heard any updates/referrals on them either.

The buyer in Columbus is Ohio Drop Off. You can google it. I'm going to start another thread called "Grade that board" I just went out and took pictures of a BUNCH of boards. I think it'll help all of us E-Waste guys to have a reference. It's not all inclusive, but maybe we can build on it, and the E-Waste buyers can of course steal the pictures to create a reference for their websites too!

One thing that's not consistent with the City/country analogy, that I have experienced, is some telecom boards. I have gotten telecom prices on boards that were green, and not very populated with chips, but had no metal or plastic at all.