Hard Drive Breakdown

Ok, so! I'm sure this has been asked 100 times and I did search around but I didn't find exactly what I was looking for. Here's what I did.

I tore down 20 hard drives and came up with these results:

1. HDD Covers - 4.4LBS (Steel, I think?)
2. Magnets - 2.12LBS
3. HDD Boards - 1.3LBS
4. Aluminum Rings(washers to get to the platters) / HDD Motors - 1LB
5. HDD Actuator Arms - 12OZ
6. Misc Connectors (they connect to the actuator arms) 2.4OZ
7. Platters - 2LBS
8. HDD Aluminum Casing - 10LBS

All in all, after a ton of research here and on eBay I totaled around $68.50.

I'm just looking for clarification in terms of pricing, what goes for what, and if I'm breaking them down properly. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

The covers are rarely steel (occasionally a steel insert glued on) mostly SS with some alum. ones thrown in. Once in a great while an alum. one with a SS insert glued on. Don't seem to be any rhyme or reason for it.

Older HD boards will weigh more then the newer ones if I recall properly from the last batch I ran. Bigger boards vs the smaller ones, hence more weight.

Buyer here on the forums for the spacers, but you might be able to get rid of them locally if you have any artist/crafter types you network with. Same with platters. I know you know all this but still. ;)

Edit : I agree with Mech, usually Stainless for my covers, now an then I'll get an alum one. Silly buggers.

Nice break down!

Sirscrapalot - Great moments in science: Einstein discovers that time is actually money. - Gary Larson

I have ran into an occasional few with brass covers. if I remember correctly they were ibm

How do you separate the stacks of platters? I tore some down awhile back but never got around to the platter stacks

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Originally Posted by Bear

How do you separate the stacks of platters? I tore some down awhile back but never got around to the platter stacks

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Usually pull the T3-T4 screws and wha-la

I never saw any torx tips in them

I've been tearing down several hundred this past few months and found platters are held on in several ways. Some are Torx screws. Some are tabs and some seem to be simply pressed on.

I would like to mention that a lot of times, the screws inside the drive are stainless steel. They don't weigh much, but it's better then tossing them in the steel pile.

I wish there was a universal bit I could use. I change the bit at least 3 times on some hard drives and it gets aggravating when you're trying to get the most $ per hour.

There probably is, but I haven't looked yet.

I generally use multiple bit holders, much quicker and easier to swap out than changing the tips, when many times it takes a pair of pliers to pull them out, just drop the holder out and grab another one

Ah, good idea. That's kind of a no-brainer.

When I'm doing a lot of HDs I try to group all like ones together. Take all the boards off first, then the covers, then the insides. still have to change the bits but you get more done in less amount of time.
I did over 700 for one customer, and found out real quick to group them together into like hds.

likewise Brandon, if you lay them out in rows and do it in steps it greatly reduces time spent swapping tools

I do the same as Brandon, and Bear. I have two holders for the bits, cause I hate changing the things out, an when I try I end up spending 15 minutes looking for the bit, cause I drop it. lol.

I also do all of one kind first, remove top, discs, etc.

Sirscrapalot - EIEIEIEIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - Me when the cooler goes empty.

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Originally Posted by Mick

I've been tearing down several hundred this past few months and found platters are held on in several ways. Some are Torx screws. Some are tabs and some seem to be simply pressed on.

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The ones that look like their pressed on I usually turn them over and lean them up against the edge of another and give the motor shaft a good whack and it'll pop right out. Then just take your screwdriver and pry out the copper windings.

The best way to get the most $ per hr is to sell the hard drive whole.

There are buyers for each of those items even the alu rings and attachment plates that hold the disks. On a stubborn disk i lay it over the round heavy iron piece from a motor that held the armature and one whack with a hammer works like a charm.

for scrapping It equipment , a masons hammer is the tool.

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Originally Posted by emeeks

Ok, so! I'm sure this has been asked 100 times and I did search around but I didn't find exactly what I was looking for. Here's what I did.

I tore down 20 hard drives and came up with these results:

1. HDD Covers - 4.4LBS (Steel, I think?)
2. Magnets - 2.12LBS
3. HDD Boards - 1.3LBS
4. Aluminum Rings(washers to get to the platters) / HDD Motors - 1LB
5. HDD Actuator Arms - 12OZ
6. Misc Connectors (they connect to the actuator arms) 2.4OZ
7. Platters - 2LBS
8. HDD Aluminum Casing - 10LBS

All in all, after a ton of research here and on eBay I totaled around $68.50.

I'm just looking for clarification in terms of pricing, what goes for what, and if I'm breaking them down properly. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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If you got a good enough relationship with your local yard you may be able to sell them as a higher grade aluminum breakage or as aluminum. Sans boards of course