How to re-use an old hard drive

I really don't want to say this because we're all tired of hearing it but, this is my first Instructable, so constructive critisism would be helpful.

Now that that is over with, lets get down to business.

In this Instructable I am going to show yo a few ways to re-use an old hard drive.

Step 1 Hard Drive Platters

Other than mirrors and coasters, I haven't really found much use for these.

Except for this: http://www.instructables.com/id/Hard-drive-platter-clock./

Comments

[petercd]

The platters are useful for reflecting laser beams around because they are primary surface reflectors and produce a clean light spot, unlike an ordinary glass mirror, where the glass surface reflects some of the laser beam back as well as the silvered surface's main reflection. The thicker the glass the greater the scatter.

Use these with a laser level to indicate a small deflection of the laser, the longer the beam the more visible the deflection will be.

[aliphatic]

The magnets can be easily extracted from their mountings with the aid of two pairs of pliers or gripping tools. The magnets are held on only with glue, and if you grip the long ends of the mounting plate and bend it away from the magnet, it will come free. Sometimes the plating peels off of the magnet, but this will not decrease the strength of the magnet in any way.

[pgd5000]

Yeah, I know, but I think they look beter with the mountings

[pgd5000]

*better (auto correct didn't fix that for some reason)

[meld95]

I added several of the platters to my survival kit for use as mirrors in signaling. They might also be used to help start a fire in the right situation.

[gmjhowe]

Harddrive Platters make for very good coasters. Think of it as an upgrade to the usual discarded CD coaster.

[PKM]

They are also good front-surface mirrors if you want to do optics experiments with lasers :)

[HarveyH44]

The magnets can be removed from the metal bracket, by simply bending the metal bracket. Clamp one end of the bracket in a vice, grab the other end with large pliers, and bend it over until the magnet comes free. The magnets a brittle, so don't beat on it with a hammer, and use a little care to stay clear of binding against the magnet. Sometimes removing the bracket is good, sometimes you wish you left in on...

[Smiling Carcass]

So do as i do- leave the bracket on until you are sure you don't need it or sure it will interfere with the use to which you intend to put the magnet.