Introduction: 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: https://www.instructables.com/id/Hard-drive-platter-clock./
Step 2: Hard Drive Platter Spacers
These can be used as key chains, or a ring if you have huge finger.
Step 3: The Magnets
Last but not least the magnets! Yay!
Now then, you can use then as regular magnets, or as a cool low cost wall decoration.
All credit for the second one comes from Household Hacker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZpoT3j063U
Step 4: Ideas?
Now I know you all probabaly have a lot of things to add so send them to me and ill try to put them in.
11 Comments
7 years ago
You can use the platters as geodesic dome connector - center piece. If you glue 4x3.75" disks with crazy glue, then drill them, they will take a considerable weight. Then you come with the spokes and connect them with nuts and bolts to the disk. A very clean setup that requires no welding. Besides that, aluminum will not rust either. Use 3.5" or 3.75" disks (3.75" is better) as these are made of aluminum or aluminum alloys. The smaller ones are glass and they will shatter.
8 years ago on Introduction
An instructable, which basically consists of just a couple links to projects made by others?!
That's lame, sorry. I was looking for something made by the author, some original ideas...
12 years ago on Introduction
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.
12 years ago on Step 3
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.
Reply 12 years ago on Step 3
Yeah, I know, but I think they look beter with the mountings
Reply 12 years ago on Step 3
*better (auto correct didn't fix that for some reason)
12 years ago on Introduction
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.
13 years ago on Introduction
Harddrive Platters make for very good coasters. Think of it as an upgrade to the usual discarded CD coaster.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
They are also good front-surface mirrors if you want to do optics experiments with lasers :)
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
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...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
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.