How To Take Things Apart Without Killing Yourself

As many of you may already know, old appliances and broken things are often gold mines of parts that are fine for use such as motors,fans, and circuitboards, if you're willing to desolder them. Though I know most of you know all of the basics of disassembling things like turning off the power, take off all the sharp things,etc., this instructable will go deeper into the finer points of scavenging and re-using old parts. I will demonstrate these techniques on an old microwave. However, I must warn you! NEVER,NEVER,NEVER,EVER,EVER disobey the safety precautions on the piece you are working on, unless it says don't open,in which case it is okay to open as long as you take the proper precautions. Please remember that you should always have a thorough knowledge of the thing you are taking apart and how to do it safely. Now, let's get started!

Step 1 Equipment

There are lots of things that are very useful for taking things apart, and some people swear by just a leatherman, but these are the most effective tools I have found:

1.Common Sense (You'd be amazed at the amount of totally moronic people out there).

2.Safety Goggles

3.Screwdrivers, several sizes, phillips and flathead.

4. Wire Cutters/Wire Strippers

5. Soldering Iron

6. Work Surface

7. Multimeter

8. Most importantly, something to take apart!


Optional (but very helpful):

1. Jeweler's Screwdriver Set

2. De-Solder-er (solder sucker)

3. Hi-Intensity Flashlight

4. Hacksaw

5. Multi-Tool (Leatherman, Swiss Army knife,etc.)

Comments

[houdini0118]

if you have a variac splice a cord onto the fan leads and turn it up slowly in case you damaged the windings if it starts to smoke then throw it out if you dont have one then you could try it straight with just a cord but be very carefull.

[hbell]

I think it'll work on 240VAC, most of the things in a microwave run on that, the two exceptions being the magnetron and the heater element, 2000VDC and 3VAC respectively.

[didgitalpunk]

very nice instructables !

[Jimmy Proton]

very nice!

[dragonfly_blue]

Thanks for the instructable - I've got to admire your spirit, discipline, and adherence to the #1 rule - safety first.

[mad magoo]

(removed by author or community request)

[mad magoo]

I amend my earlier comment with this quote from Voltaire: "I totally disagree with what you are saying but I will defend to the death your right to say it." My apologies.

[Cynical Darkness]

Cinco, This is not what we sent you to MIT for

[Redfox888888]

I've been looking for some equipment like this, because i was going to take out the capacitor for a tesla coil, but now i see there is a lot more than just that to salvage.

[TechNerd1012]

grats on the instructable. Its pretty good for your first.

[seadonkium]

it runs on ac power, thats all i know

[Patented]

I made an instructable on how to salvage electronic components and I would like to put a link of your instructable for a taking-apart-things guide!

[cooldude375]

how do you discharge the capaciters so that you dont shock yourself (in my case a computer transformer)

[ekulmeekul]

just short out the two capacitor leads with a screwdriver

[El Mano]

A very useful, well-done first-instructable.

[maker12]

nutz

[maker12]

wtf?

[Steamdnt]

Can I acquire common sense at Wall-Mart or Radio Shack

[viacin]

you can, but it's cheaper online.

[Steamdnt]

Would newegg have it, or maybe tiger direct?

[guitarmansmitty]

Ebay may have some. You never know who's selling what.

[Steamdnt]

I wouldn't want to buy second hand common sense. You never know who's you'll get. LOL

[omnibot]

Oh, I wouldn't knock second hand common sense. Common sense needs to be tweaked it's like wine, it matures with age. Unlike logic which can be picked up at any streetcorner for less than a penny. Also, logic tends to gather more logic and, although a fine thing in itself, is not a replacement for common sense.

[awang8]

I won a lifetime's supply of common sense from the code "YBL2X" under a beer cap!

[zen lyne]

i did too! but all i got were two old guys in a bar that just sap my money for more alcohol

[Mitten]

Me and my buddy trashed an old mac.

To discharge the monitor we hosed it down and prodded it with a screw driver.

Here is the video of us demonstrating our safety habits.

[Asris-Skined]

Office Space anyone =)

[electfire]

that was prety stupid Mitten, water + electrcity = ur a gonner.

[maker12]

i trashed a mac lc V 3, 2.00 at savers!

[bowmaster]

I like pie!!!!

[maker12]

i like caffine!= =yay red bull!

[santy22]

I Like To Fart in Everybody's Face!!!= =Yay For Farts!

[Derin]

I like to drive fart powered cars

[maker12]

I LIKE TO LOL YAY FOR PRANKS AND HUMAN FARTS!

[santy22]

I will start a forum thread called "Monster Font Farts", PM me if interested!

[Derin]

FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAART

[maker12]

can i make the "fart klan" plz

[maker12]

i like rosted farts ! "thats a good fart joke!"

[awang8]

Farts are stinky...=Others ate deadly...=

[Derin]

how do u do the monster font