How to make use of an old computer PSU

In this instructable, I will show you how I made good use of old PSU circuit boards and how you can do the same.

You can find a more detailed version of this project on my website.

You can also see how to make your own computer desk fan here

And here for the Case/Safe PSU Combo itself

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Step 1: Things you'll need

Here is a list of essentials:

solder iron (preferable one averaging around 50 watts)
a pair of helping hands
a flat head screwdriver
a Phillips screwdriver
cutting pliers (to cut the wires)
a solder sucker or solder wick

These are the optional extras I used:

a fume extractor as featured on the case/safe
a desk fan to keep me cool, ha ha ha
a desk lamp, I was in a poorly lit area
and last but not least, the case/safe PSU combo itself

pfred2 says: Nov 18, 2012. 1:20 PM

Desoldering printed circuit boards with soldering irons is a waste of time. For heat sensitive components it can often be a waste of parts too. I've had this discussion enough on the Internet that I'm sick of it myself though. You should really find a better way to strip boards. How I do it is expensive and elaborate but I think it is worth it. The best way I've seen was in a video on YouTube of this Chinese guy who was working over a dished piece of sheet metal that had a puddle of molten solder on it. He was rocking! It was a very professional setup and it didn't look expensive to replicate at all to me.

Had I been exposed to that method before I invested in the equipment I have now I'd have likely gone that dished metal route myself. In any event putting the board into molten solder then plucking out parts is the best way to strip boards. Soldering irons are meant for other tasks.

Horses for courses.

MrJentis (author) in reply to pfred2Nov 20, 2012. 4:57 PM

Thanks for your insights. I do agree that desoldering with a soldering iron is time consuming and perhaps is not the best method. Feel free to share that youtube video here so others can learn too.