Before I forget I'm going to post the results for the Allied AL-C350 ATX 350 watt PSU with SATA connector. This is a complete breakdown of everything I know of and others may have better methods with better payout. The PSU weight was 2 Lbs. 15.34 oz. lets call it 3 Lbs. before breakdown. Tools I use every day at tear down bench, Cordless screw gun with magnetic apex holder with a 6 inch quick release extension, #1 & #2 apex phillips bits, angle grinder with 4-1/2" thin cut-off disc (I like to save my old disc for circuit board depopulating, I'm actually using a disc that's about 3" or less), wire cutters, needle nose vice grips (nuts on back of heat sink), 3 pound hammer, bolt cutters and socket removal tool (brass contacts on connectors). Break the case down first, everything that has a phillips head. Now for the angle grinder, I depopulate the circuit board (I do this outside with a fan blowing dust/fumes away from me - also gloves/safety glasses). From back side of board working from outer edge first, in a circular direction remove wire harness (90% is along board perimeter). I then remove all copper items (transformers, chokes, remaining wire), aluminum heatsinks (with transistors still attached) and power receptacle. What I want off the board is anything that is copper, aluminum or brass. I use Daniels removal tools for the contacts and then cut them off of wire. All the wire goes as #2 insulated, contacts were all brass except for the SATA was (OMG gold SIRS.) and all the plastic connectors go to city recycle bin. I then use needle nose vice grips (just quicker than sockets) and screw gun separating heat sinks from transistors. Aluminum was extrusion grade, transistors (6 total), and nut/screws all go to individual buckets. I then use bolt cutter to cut the tops off of ferrite chokes, ferrite light/tin steel and copper #2 buckets. I use hammer method on transformers (4 total), fast and feels good, copper #2, using a magnet pickup ferrite and sweep up remaining plastic. I also use bolt cutters on power receptacle and the two switches and a little more tin, copper and brass. Heres what it all weighed after sorting: #2 copper 3 1/3 oz. @ $2.80 Lb. = $.60 - #2 insulated wire 7 1/4 oz. @ $.95 Lb. = $.43 - Aluminum Extrusion 3 oz. @ $.65 = $.12 - Brass yellow 3/4 oz. @ $1.95 Lb. = $.09 - Light steel/tin 1 Lb. 5 1/3 oz. @ $.10 Lb. = $.12 Total $1.33 I did't count the low grade circuit board, IC chips (2), transistors (6) or the gold plated contacts. Only because I have not sold any yet! I did save them as I do plan on selling eventually. It took maybe 20 minutes to do all of this, not great use of time, nor good money. It is also not how I normally break things down, My usual PSU breakdown would be less than 5 minutes, with circuit board, wire and connectors going into a bucket for further break down later. I did this for myself, to see just what is there to be made in a PSU! What I learned from this thread and my break down. 1. $1.33+ breaking them down, it takes time and space 2. If I could sell whole minus the wire $.40 to $.60 + wire $.43 = $.83 to $1.03 3. Sell on EBay as tested/good for $15 to $25. Conclusion is breaking down PSU's is not best way to go, but will continue doing so. Only until I find source to sell whole minus wire for $.25 to $.30 a pound. Buy tester to test PSU's and try selling some on EBay. As five of these exact same models have sold in last six weeks. Bottom line you have options make the the best use of what's available to you.
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