Printers Sometimes @#@%*&#@!!

Breaking down a few printers, had one all apart and realized it wasn't going back together so I knew there'd be more plastic in the pile of things to dispose of elsewhere(my only plastic option here is the yearly spring clean-up free dump) and I was wondering if they was even worth messing with for one small mid-grade board and a couple small motors.
I was working top an impromptu bench, an old wash tub turned upside down top the mower motor. Grabbed the next one and turned it over to look for screws, it unleashed a torrent of black ink all over the "bench" running everywhere. I turned and tossed it whole into an old fridge in the trailer.
A while later headed back out there, grabbed a straight claw Estwing framing hammer and bashed it to bits. Got the board and motors (and another layer of ink all over), I guess it'll wear off eventually ; )

Ya know Bear..I don't think thats what they mean when they ask if you've been inked before....

Printrers that don't come apart quickly via normal method get the hammer taken to them. Could say it's a smashing good time. haha!

Sirscrapalot - here all week, don't forget to tip your waitresses.

I actually try to take them apart in a way that the covers will go back on it, so I can then toss em in with shred basically whole, less the board, wires, and motors. At least they'll still have some amount of steel in em. If it's shattered or won't go together I throw the plastic in a separate plastic pile which I really can't do a whole lot with

Originally Posted by Bear

I actually try to take them apart in a way that the covers will go back on it, so I can then toss em in with shred basically whole, less the board, wires, and motors. At least they'll still have some amount of steel in em. If it's shattered or won't go together I throw the plastic in a separate plastic pile which I really can't do a whole lot with

Just throw it all ina dryer... if ur yard would take it whole, then I dont see the problem..

I usually throw stuff with plastic into a steel drum..keep em to 200lbs or so n take 2 or 3 in at a time..I dont throw extra plastic in, but if it came off that printer then its going with it into the drum..

That's not very encouraging Bear. I've got a pick up scheduled on Saturday for about 30 printers, along with monitors, keyboards, etc. It's free so at least I'll get all my frustrations out.

I used to love printers. I paid .15 c/pnd for them. I sold the plastic at a high rate, salvaged the boards, motors, wire, tin, and cartridges. All get sold.

I've tried too figure out "How much am i getting paid to do this?" for each printer. But, if you've scrapped enough of them, you'll know that you cannot really put a number on it. Simply because they vary so much. Some have SS rods in them (most do not), some are heavier for no apparent reason, extra boards due to blue tooth capability, etc. My best estimate would be i made anywhere from $1-$6 a piece. I didn't hit the $6 amount very often. They usually had to have blue tooth capability (extra mid grade boards) and SS rods.

Either way, they were always fun for me. Even had my own drill strictly for printers with a torx bit (or whatever the hell they're called).

Hey Hoss! Good seein ya man : )

Good seein' you too amigo.

I do a lot of printers/copiers. I have never broke down a printer that didn't have at least two mid grade boards. The print heads have a mid grade board that has a piece of mylar that has gold on it. Some of the printer/copier combination have a large mid grade board and 1 or 2 sticks of memory. Yes the ink can be a pain, you just have to be careful.

Broke down an HP desk top laser printer;
137 screws
1 mid grade board
5gal bucket full of plastic
4lbs steel
1 toner cartridge (most profitable, $2 at Staples)

I tore down a printer last night. It had a DVDRW in it. Thankfully, it had a separate cover for the board too. It was still a PITA. I did find a printer with lots of gold on the mylar. Took the time to cut that out as well. I only pick up for free. I will not pay for one. They are the things I get into when I don't have much else to get into...even after breaking down the DVD/CD roms.

The really large printers and copiers, I mean like similar to washing machine size, in the future I'll charge for. If you'll do some googlin you'll see it isn't gonna be real cheap either ; )