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Reusing old electronics

Reusing old electronics

If you are like me and often take apart used, broken, or even just useless electronic devices, then you probably wonder "Well... what should I do with all this cool stuff." or if you're like my mom, you wonder "What are you gonna use all this junk for !?" Answering these questions, there are many things to do with old electronics. In this instructable I will show you how to reuse those old electronic components or circuit boards by converting them into sculptures!
 
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Step 1Gathering materials

Gathering materials

Of course you can use those old electronics for new projects, but what do you do with the circuit board and other components extracted that were not used? Store them until you need them for another project? Throw them out? No. Make some cool sculptures!

Gathering The Materials
There are a few things you need for sculpting, Wire cutters, Hot glue, and a Screwdriver. These will aid you in the demolition of your device along with the sculpting of your electronic figure.

When collecting materials for a sculpture, it is important to have a clear idea of what you want to make. Try to find a large number of smaller circuit boards for arms, legs, feet, and other things depending on what creature you are making. Buttons, Speakers, Gears, Jacks, and small metal pieces make great fillers that tie together the whole sculpture. When finding you pieces, try to envision what you are going to use the piece for. It is important to gather many pieces since, most of the time the pieces do not workout how you had planned.
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24 comments
Mar 12, 2012. 6:28 PMvicsradios says:
I don't know how old you are, but your sculptures are very creative. Now this old man is going to try his hand at it. You inspired me. Thanks, and keep up the good work.
Nov 2, 2011. 6:49 PMktambuli says:
whoa. .transform ! . .like it
Nov 2, 2011. 2:48 AMisamuel says:
whao dis great,but i will add battery and a bulb 2 make it luk lyk a real one
Sep 24, 2011. 7:21 AMRAM HAREETH says:
cool
Aug 16, 2011. 4:44 AMleonyeg says:
this is great man thanks!!
Aug 12, 2011. 12:37 AMskate1600 says:
soz add the camera
Aug 12, 2011. 12:36 AMskate1600 says:
i luv it!!! im tryin 2 make a kinda robot which is waterproof, but still have all of the electronic parts which some r just for show, but others work that can do...
:voice interactive, stick a small router in its kinda stomach(gotta be pretty light tho)
can charge up my iphone, add a couple of speakers and walla!!! lol its finished. ive got upto charge iphone, but its gettin a bit heavy tho...................
Aug 11, 2011. 7:02 PMThe nerdling says:
voted, faved and followed
and 2000 views in one day
Aug 9, 2011. 9:51 PMvishalapr says:
Thats coz these robots rule!!!!!
Aug 11, 2011. 7:00 PMThe nerdling says:
yeh
Aug 11, 2011. 8:05 AMalmightyally says:
really good, just wish i saw this before i took all my old junk to the tip
Aug 11, 2011. 6:59 PMThe nerdling says:
my mum made me throgh out my huge box of computer parts
Aug 11, 2011. 1:17 PMdjhusi says:
Awsome idea :D nicely done
Sorry, I must get going my Johnny5 isn't going to build itself.... or?
Aug 11, 2011. 7:03 AMlancruz says:
Very Cool! I know now what to do with my dead components.
Cheers
Aug 11, 2011. 6:20 AMBurnsides says:
That's awesome!
Aug 10, 2011. 9:31 PMTape-structable says:
I created these for a different instructable, the Desktop Decepticon, but I think it can fit in this category also. :)

Made with a cell phone, and old modem parts. Articulation at left shoulder allows up and down movement, and articulation at neck allows rotation of head.

Aug 10, 2011. 6:52 PMverdastel says:
Cool instructable! and considerably easy to be done by most of us. I bet the first thing most people would ask when seeing them for the first time is: "Wow, what can those robots do?" :D
Aug 9, 2011. 11:28 PMSinAmos says:
This is actually something I've been working on, but because superglue never stays usable, I never went forward. At this point, I am desoldering endless parts, but for electronic use, but I totally love this style of art.
Aug 9, 2011. 7:26 PMReffner says:
DIY Transformers... LOVE IT. You did a great job. Now if I could find the time to do this with the loads of stuff I have lying around.
Aug 9, 2011. 7:20 AMjman 31 says:
Nice work! Those are very cool and well done. No big blobs of hot glue or anything.
Aug 9, 2011. 4:27 AMJiggsy says:
This, this is my DREAM! Thanks so much for putting down the basics!

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Author:CUclimbing
I love Tinkering, Slacklining, Climbing, Longboarding, Skateboarding, and Sleeping.