Scrapping an old Computer

Hi all,

As you guys know, a new scrapper is burn every day so i decided to make a new scrapping video, main subject is plain old PC's...



Most of you probably know all of this as i'm covering the very basics in the video, but i think new guys or those scrappers who never dealt with computers before will find it useful.

A few points which may come up and some have already brought up in the comments section of the video are:

- What about the cable ends (contains gold plated pind) which are being cut off?
In my mind, simply collect them, let them pile up and sell to a larger dealer.
- What about the PSU ?
Too much work for my taste for a too little return.
- What about the platters and Neodymium magnets in HD?
I think selling these platters on eBay for "PLATINUM RECOVERY WOW" is a total ripoff, but that's just me... The magnets are cool things to have though.
- What about the Laser diode in the CD-Rom?
Again, too much work in my mind, just for this little gold plated diode casing.

If you have any more of the same, please feel free to ask, comment or answer yourself.


The video:


(p.s- all of the answers above are only my own opinion, which not nessecerly be the best)

little726,

I have never heard of a CD-Rom laser diodes that contains Radioactive materials...
Though, you did not mentioned what this box is....
Honesty, i'm not well versed in the constroction and the makeup of lasers or lenses, so i feel i can't really give you a straight answer...
If you are in doubt, don't scrap this box.


Jeremiah,

Thanks for your input, it's great to see others approach to the same matter.
Boy... how scrap buyers are different from each other...
For example, around here, they couldn't care less about the plastics but goes berserk if too much Ali shows up.
The same goes for unusual boards grading...

One thing i can not agree with you is, the PCI cards/RAM sticks prices for after fingers removal.
They are downgraded to some degree,yes, but from 14$ a lb to 0.5$ a lb... man that's a total ripoff and you should find another buyer... As about half of the total gold value (in RAM's) is in the the IC's, the rest is on the stick and the fingers. Not to mention the Copper and MLCC's/Resistors which stay on the stick...
My buyer buys trimmed PCI cards at same rates as motherboards so i just mix them...

As far as i know (and correct me if i'm wrong) boardsort.com is the only one publically advetising his current rates, you can see the difference from trimmed and un-trimmed are not as acute as you described. And he is still in business...
I can't tell you how much do i sell RAM stick as i process them by my self and never sold one piece

Again, Thanks for your 2 cents, means a lot

One of the boxes I removed from a computer says, "Class 1 Laser Product" "Contains Radioactive Material Inside and Out." My question is, is this a box I can safely break down?

Yes they are safe to open, I think the warning is for the laser diode, don't know of anything dangerous in there. the diode is only dangerous if you look into it.

You are referring to the warning label regarding the Laser in the optical reading devices. Not hazardous to you when.... just dont put it over your eye when it is powered on.

http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/showt...identification

Originally Posted by shootsitall

thanks for the video...i have a question.i called and can only get .27 a lb for power supplies. at what price would you break them down?

I get paid .27 for them without wire, so I clip them and the buyer gets the box.