What not to do - Printers

I have introduced myself, and been encouraged to contribute. I am fairly new to e-cycling, and don't have much knowledge to contribute about "how to" do anything properly. So, instead I am going to post a "what not to do" thread as I learn what mistakes I am making. This thread will be about printers.

First, don't do printers. I know it's been said in these forums before, but I am a knucklehead who has to learn by doing. When it comes to most printers, they are mostly plastic, a huge PITA, and very little goodies inside. However, if you are like me, you'll still dismantle a printer or two as you learn the ropes. This brings me to my next point.

Wear gloves. I don't think there is a way to dismantle a printer without getting a dab of ink on you here and there. It is also very common to get cuts, nicks, scratches, etc. when dismantling many electronics. Well, when you're all done and you're ready to clean the ink off your hands (because you didn't wear gloves), the rubbing alcohol you use to remove the ink, not only proves useless at removing ink, but it burns like crazy in ever little scratch you've earned dismantling those printers.



Finally, you will likely come across plenty of printers in your electronics recycling ventures. Moving forward, I will remove the ink cartridges, toss them in a bag to trade in at Staples or something, and slide the rest off to the side to bring to Goodwill.

Hopefully some newbies can learn from my mistakes as I post these "what not to do" threads.

Scanners are a bigger bust in my book. But the biggest problem i get with printers is the odd shaped star screws. I have no bits for them at the moment. I think the boards are a mid-grade board,but im not to sure about grading boards:confused:

Originally Posted by greytruck

Scanners are a bigger bust in my book. But the biggest problem i get with printers is the odd shaped star screws. I have no bits for them at the moment. I think the boards are a mid-grade board,but im not to sure about grading boards:confused:

I agree there is barely anything in a scanner.

Yes, I do sell my mixed plastics. Sold it all yesterday for $0.08/lb. Got raped on the boards and drives that I sold, but at least they did buy the plastics.

Originally Posted by Filthy

and where in the world do you sell a truckload of mixed plastic? i have been trying for a long time now. i give away a heaping garbage can full of mixed (mostly abs) every week to my town. I mean, i'm glad they take all types of plastic, but i could have a truckload once a month and my dude could probably do even more than that

I called a plastic manufacturer they said they would need a sample but, it seemed like they would probably take it. There is also an pretty large ewaste recycler that takes the plastic as long as its several hundred pounds, I think ABS only.

Harborfright.com should have the bits to work on any screw.

100 Piece Security Bit Set

On Sale This Week. $9.99 Just got one! I love Harbor Frieght. I bought a whole electronics destruction kit piece by piece as well as a scale!!!

Originally Posted by unknownk

Harborfright.com should have the bits to work on any screw.

100 Piece Security Bit Set

Originally Posted by Geiser093

On Sale This Week. $9.99 Just got one! I love Harbor Frieght. I bought a whole electronics destruction kit piece by piece as well as a scale!!!

I have a local one about 7 minutes from here. Cheap place for odd bits you find you need when doing projects. They stock a nice can of lithium grease I use to lube video cards fans (and computer case fans) when they start gumming up and make noise.

What is a PITA?

The yard I go to buys printers as steel. So I usually just take the cables, ink cartridges, and any easily accesible cards and throw the rest in my steel pile. This allows me to get the majority of the good stuff in the least amount of time.

Ahhh...Something I can help someone with. PITA = Pain In The Arse

I do 10-20 printers per day,mid grade and low grade boards,2 or 3 electric motors,insulated copper and steel adds up pritty fast. Ink cartridges I sell to eCycle Group - Home some go for as much as 4.00 ea. In this bussness if you don't bleed once a day your not doiing anything. If your afraid to get your hands dirty your in the wrongh bussness. just my .02

I get a lot of printers, especially from recycle drives. They are only a PITA if you are lacking the proper tools. Purchase a precision bit set from amazon for $15 and you should be able to strip a medium size printer in 10-15 mins.

My buyer pays 2.50 a pound for the green boards, $1.19 a pound for the insulated wire, and most come with two ink cartridges (which Staples pays $2 each for), a couple EM and most of the weight is steel. Collecting printers and monitors is great for networking with people and getting your name out there.

Originally Posted by parrothead

ditto on the bleeding thing. My partner sheds blood every time we get together. I am about 50%. I rip all of the easily removable pure pastic from a printer and throw it in my recycle bin for the city to take. Of course I grab the cartridges and if it is a fancy printer I grab tha card. The remaining hull gets tossed in my trailor to go to the steel yard for shred.

When I first started someone told me not to worry because the blood adds to the weight!

Originally Posted by Julie

When I first started someone told me not to worry because the blood adds to the weight!

haha! never heard that one but I love it

If you do not deal with printers you are loosing out. As in every other industry, you will make different margins on different items. Printers are not high margin, but they have cords and sometimes A/C adapters attached to them. Maybe even a USB or parallel cable. Many of the ink cartridges can be sold to various buyers. Another thing you may not realize is that laser jet printers usually have a motherboard and RAM inside.

I have a pallet of printers sitting in the corner that will keep me busy if things ever slow down around here. Everything adds up!