Harvesting Electronic Parts

Step 3: Harvesting

Now your ready to begin. take your soldering iron, and press it into the solder holding down the desired part. Wait until the solder melts, then pull the part out with your other hand. Its that simple. You can use this to get resistors, LEDs, Capacitors, and pretty much anything held on with solder, even the breadboard.

*** Do not keep the Iron on the solder for a long time, because you can damage the part, the board, or your fingers.***

Now your probably thinking, wow this guy sucks, a 5 year old could have thought of that. well as you think this, look around you. chances are there is at least one thing within sight that you don't use anymore. Go ahead, its calling your name. Recycle. This is one of the many ways to do it that people overlook.

Comments

[Sassah122]

I always do this but up until today I did not think of remotes. Thanks SO much.

[dcastor]

Any advice on removing the white goo that seems to be connecting almost every large component in a PC power supply I dismantled recently?

Thanks!

[NostalgicStone]

 If I had a nickel for every time pulled a broken dvd player out of the dumpster...

[Joblessalex]

If I had a nickel for every time I pulled a working device out of the dumpster...

[Graydant]

I take apart old computer Monitors remove the tube a everything then put the case back together as a empty shell they make nice scrap holders. Then I take off all the copper there is loads of wire in those, same thing for CRT TV's or ones with tubes. You have to be careful of certain components though I've not ever been shocked while taking one apart and they don't explode. People always told me that when I was a kid I haven't seen one explode yet I've taken them apart for over 22 years.

There is a little know secret to discharging the elements though, Rain water.

[jcaresheets]

I am condensing so many of my large electronics. I ripped apart an old scan/printer and took out a few stepper motors, the light, a wicked magnifying glass, the three mirrors, the plate of glass and a few other things. Plus I love taking the laser out of DVD burners. I have not used the laser yet, but I have plans. I really liked hearing how other people are doing these same things.

[coolmike8789]

You should include a couple of small projects you can do with the components you found

[Simpson_jr]

Yep, it's a good way to get free components, researching old equipment can save a lot of money on... new projects.

A way to do it more quickly...

Use a small (old !) electric grill and  place your PCB, THT-components downwards, just under the heating spirals. Wait for the grill to get hot and... hit the PCB gently wit a screwdriver while it gets hot.

It will take some time for the solder to melt, but once the first salvaged part drops, most other parts follow soon.

With SMD-components one has got to place the PCB with the components upwards. Try to move an insignificant component while the PCB heats up.
You probably have to wait a little longer once you can, but then it's pretty easy to harvest most components with a knive or piece of metal.

Some SMD components are glued to the PCB, they'll still stick when all solder is melted. Just hit it with  a little more speed and force to get those loose. You won't break pins since the solder is already liquid.

Last but not least, One should not forget health issues when gathering recycled parts this way. Good ventilation is a definite must, it's best to do this outdoors. One should also not use an oven/grill that is still used for the preparation of food.

The technique takes some getting used to and some components... may get damaged, but most turn out fine. A second hand grill shouldn't have to cost much more as $10-15. 
 

[Phoenixmill]

 you don't have to be all green/hippie/tree hugger to do this. I'm a high school student without the money to buy the parts i need to build the stuff i wanna build. actually none of my shells went into a landfill. i burnt them all in a bonfire.  so either i missed what your trying to say, or i'm just confused. 

[tmuggie]

recycling really isn't that high on my list....I want free parts and I don't want to have to pay somebody.
I mean really......are you really saving the landfill from over flowing??
All of the crust that you are left with  (for example: all of the plastic enclosures, ect....what are you going to do with that??
....I have an IDEA....send it to a liberal bonehead and let them recycle it.