Need Advice: Opening computer hard drives from laptops

What do I need to buy to loosen the extremely tiny screws found on a computer's hard drive? I think both of my hard drives that I have are from laptops. My standard hex wrench set, both English and metric, are no where near small enough. What do you guys use to open these things? I am just trying to get any gold pins or fingers out, circuit board, the hard drive plates, and any aluminum. Hammering until it comes apart might ruin these things, right? I tried to add photos, hopefully that works.

[IMG]http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...psudqodu4q.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...psbdzyda9m.jpg[/IMG]

I found this, but is this what I would need?
7-piece Precision Torx Driver Set

Thanks ahead for the help.

Try Harbor Freights. 34 piece precision screwdriver set for under $10.00...never a hammer.

Don't laptop drives have glass platters?

I think the smallest one I had to buy was a T6 then a T7, that is short for torx,
Some real cheap kits won't go that small. I got those extras at a Menards dual purpose hardware/lumber store, cost me a buck each.
Then I have a kit but I lost the smaller ones which is why I had to get extras.
Here is what I started with; around 10 bucks

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...mage_21405.jpg

Yep I got the same bit set at Harbor Freight!

You are wasting time taking apart laptop hard drives. Whack them with a hammer and the glass platters will shatter. The boards are so light they are better sold as whole hard drives.

T-6-7

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Originally Posted by AuburnEwaste

You are wasting time taking apart laptop hard drives. Whack them with a hammer and the glass platters will shatter. The boards are so light they are better sold as whole hard drives.

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I guess it depends on the buyer. I get .60/lb for any laptop scrap which includes a hard drive tossed in the mix. I flick off the board and get my .0005 lb of HD board.. guess they add up to something over time.. where as I only get .42 for whole hard drives.

It really irks me when people get on here and tell others how much time they're wasting and don't attempt to answer a question.

If he want's to take the d**n thing apart let him take it apart.

Harbor freight should have what you need.

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

I suggest in the beginning to take apart everything you have time to do. It will broaden your knowledge and help you decide what to do with them in the future. Mike

Of all places, walmart has the tools you need in a neat and cheap red case with clear cover. It's advertised as a bit set with 1/8" drive bits, that's what you need. Ignore what looks to be a security torx, it is not. Use a T4 thru T7 on most (for me every laptop drive with torx screws so far) laptop drives.

Once open, be careful the platters are glass AND tempered meaning if you break them they wont just...crack, they explode into a billion pieces that can get in everything including eyeballs and skin, ask me how I know this.

That's your helpful answer. If you have difficulty getting the bit to fit, carefully use a fine side sharpening stone/hone or 500 grit sandpaper on the interface of the bit, when they are made they tend to round themselves and "grinding" them perpendicular makes them work better. Do this by hand, if you don't the heat will destroy the cheap temper and make your bit break.

What you mean to say is that it irks you when someone tries to save another member some valuable time?

No, what I'm trying to say is that it is not up to you to decide what my time or any one else's is worth.

I understand that many people on this forum, like yourself, do this full time. Many own and run recycling facilities or computer shops or whatever. Are you going to pay your employees to break down laptop hard drives or PC power supplies. Hell no!

I do this part time and many here do it as a hobby. I use to breakdown everything, including printers. 3 years later and the amount of scrap I get has increased and I have changed the way I do things and how far I break down certain items.

Something else I have to consider is what the local yards are paying or even if they buy certain items. PC power supplies and hard drives are a good example. Yards here don't want to pay more than shred for them so I don't even remove power supplies from the PC anymore. I cut the wire flush with the outside and move on to the next one.

All hard drive boards are removed. The hard drives from laptops are bent in a vice and thrown in with the shred. The big hard drives are taken apart.

That's what works best for me where I live and with the local yards I have.

I determine what my time is worth, not you.

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Originally Posted by AuburnEwaste

What you mean to say is that it irks you when someone tries to save another member some valuable time?

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No I meant what I said and now you're trying to put words in my mouth.

Its great fun to watch the platters explode into a million pieces if your wearing the proper safety equipment..(eye protection, long sleeves, gloves..)

Don't ask how I know. ;)

Far as that other stuff...

It's great to be reminded time is money, but when one is looking for an answer because they want to break something down further, nothing sucks more then getting a simple answer of.."Why bother, it's not worth it.".

How many times I've herd "Don't do tvs! their not worth it!" What should be being said is.."I don't do tv's cause their not worth it to ME." Or the famous..."if your not getting more then scrap value your doing it wrong!" I beg to differ. I'm just doing it different.

I guess what I'm trying to say is...we're all little unique snow flakes in how we do things. What works for you, may not work for me.

Sirscrapalot - YMMV.

The hard drives from laptops are bent in a vice and thrown in with the shred.

Full article at Scrap Metal Forum: http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/scrap...#ixzz3hLWEnARt
Why not at least throw em' in breakage?

Because they don't have a breakage category. They don't want them.

It's all situational & everyone's situation is different. What's profitable for one might not be profitable for another. Your best friend is an inexpensive scale and a watch. Keep track of ALL the time you're putting in. Weigh up what you're getting out of it.

You might find that you're losing money with some things.

You might find that on some things you're only making one or two dollars per hour after taking out your operating expenses.

Other things might be more lucrative.

ETA: Just a suggestion: Once the boards are off the hard drives it's nearly impossible to ever get them operational again. It would take a data recovery lab & at least ten grand in specialized tools to do the job.

If you're concerned about data security pulling the board is really all you need to do. For all practical purposes anything beyond that is lost time / wasted effort on a low value item.

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...mage_23444.jpg

Between the 100 piece Harbor Freight Bit Set and the 34 piece precision set all the bits you need! LOL

Slotted: 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, 8mm
Phillips: #000, #00, #0, #1, #2, #3
PoziSquare3: S0, S1, S2, S3
Torx: T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, T40, T45
Torx with center hole: T8, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, T35, T40
Hex: 0.7mm, 0.9mm, 1.3mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 8mm
Hex with center hole: 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm
Slotted with center hole: 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm
Butterfly: #1, #2, #3
Tri-wing: #1, #2, #3, #4
Windmill: 6, 8, 10
M-type: M5, M6, M8
Y-shape hook driver

100 piece set $7.99 after 20% discount
34 piece set $6.39 after 20% discount

And don't forget "free" with purchase items!!!

Ok not all the bits you could need...

http://www.instructables.com/files/d...ORNM.LARGE.jpg

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Originally Posted by hobo finds

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...mage_23444.jpg

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I have 2 of those and the T-6 bit is wore out in both. I need to find some better quality T-3, T-4, T-5 and T-6 bits that are small like the ones above. And longer too.

Ahhhhh how sweet.. Sir scrapsalot called me a snowflake!!!!! made my Saturday :D thanks !!!

Now, that's a lot of bits. Every scrapper needs that set! OHHhhh!! There is a missing bit!!!! The triangle screw head! I ran into those on a fan. The fan worked, so I decided to keep it. Cleaned it up really good, brand new. $90+ fan with an ionizing option that's like 4.5' tall. I don't think there is any truly complete bit set for a scrapper. We are always looking for our bits and pieces.

I concur with all who stated about what is YOUR time worth:
I've said this before but I will try to eloquently state it again-- Every scrapper on the planet has the following differences:

Different geographic locations will yield you different plans of attack on certain items. With that said. Someone here said they cut the wire on their power supplies and leave them in the case and send the rest to shred. Why? Because where he is.. he does not have anyone who buys the boards or because it isn't worth his time. For Sledge personally I still pull my power supplies because I get .05 for the metal case, I get the .60/lb for the wire and I also am fortunate enough to get .47/lb just for the boards locally. They would NOT be worth it if I had to ship.

So do I think that poster is "a stupid, idiot moron" for not pulling his power supplies and breaking them down? ABSOLUTELY NOT- Because where he is, with no outlet for the item.. he leaves them in and gets paid his weight. That, for him, is the best he can do where he lives and the buyers he has access too.

My point being this: Work SMARTLY, if you have an outlet for items that others do not, then capitalize on the opportunity and smile, if others have an outlet that you do not have- there is no reason to be sour, point fingers or get mouthy. I'm also getting pretty tired of folks here telling others how stupid they are because they don't do what they personally do. I run scrap as a side gig. People who own companies that have to pay labor to break these items down- remember they are smart enough folks to OWN A BUSINESS and hire employees- that is no small feat (coming from a business owner myself) So if that business owner says "It isn't worth my time" they he or she is ALSO not a moron. He or she is stating the following:

"I have an employee that after I pay his wages, insurance and my overhead- to break down said item- the return on the investment gives me a net LOSS- thus I am LOSING $ to do so." And as a smart business man.. he knows that losing money does not make sense for sustainability.

On the other side of the coin.. if your business model says "Not worth my time" because of reasons stated above.. The guy like me who will break off HD boards on Laptop HD's or Gut Power Supplies.. I just as equally am not an idiot for doing so!

Fair enough for you??

Am I the idiot? ;)

Where I am, power supplies are paid at the same rate as shred, and the only other option is to ship them. If I ship them, I lose money. The best I can do is to sell as shred. If you can do better, then it may be worth it. You have to do what works for your situation. For example, we don't do collection events anymore, because we have to drive 100 miles each way. You have to look at your situation, and see what works best for you.

Matador:
Most certainly not sir. I make a killing off Power supplies here. Everyone thinks they are a pain the buns. They don't know what to do with them other than get .05/lb as shred. I have done my due diligence and happened to find a buyer local that will pay (handsomely too) for these boards. Without him.. I'd be in the same boat as nearly everyone else.

But when I see folks say "I have no outlet other than steel shred" I feel for them. I wish everyone had the ability to get paid for these boards and break them down. But I also don't say "Geez what morons.. they are leaving so much $ on the table" In this particular example- they can't make money if no one will pay them for their boards.

It would be like something like say- used motor oil. I feel lucky that I can take it to an auto parts store and give it to them for free! I know it is being recycled responsibly and not ending up in our water supply. Someone may come along and say "Well I get paid .05 cents a quart for it" For that person- AWESOME.. lucky for them.. but I don't have someone who pays for it.. so I recycle it in the best way I can for the planet. I don't begrudge the person who gets the .05 per quart. Do I wish I could get paid .05 a quart- sure.. but I can't so I do the best I can with the resources I've got!
:)

Wow, everybody take a breath ! It's a good day to be alive. Eh ! that's better
FYI, here in my little part of CT I cut the wire off of the power supplies and get 18 cents a lb. for the box without the wires. that's the best I can do until I find something better. Is there someone on the forum that pays
decent for the boards inside ? Let me know . I don't mind tearing them down if the numbers show me it's worth it. right now my ship too buyer is paying .26 with the wires, not worth for me to ship.
Was going to ship them at one point as I had a load of them but I could not get the numbers to work in my favor. Gorvan tried to help but even his great trucking deals were not enough
for me to come out ahead on those.

yea that box would be half empty in a week if i got my hands on it, i lose stuff to easily :(

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Originally Posted by Kalvlin

Wow, everybody take a breath ! It's a good day to be alive. Eh ! that's better
FYI, here in my little part of CT I cut the wire off of the power supplies and get 18 cents a lb. for the box without the wires. that's the best I can do until I find something better. Is there someone on the forum that pays
decent for the boards inside ? Let me know . I don't mind tearing them down if the numbers show me it's worth it. right now my ship too buyer is paying .26 with the wires, not worth for me to ship.
Was going to ship them at one point as I had a load of them but I could not get the numbers to work in my favor. Gorvan tried to help but even his great trucking deals were not enough
for me to come out ahead on those.

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And that is the issue. I don't know of anyone who can ship a power supply and come out ahead. As far as e-waste goes they are IMO one of the largest "What the heck can I do to maximize my profit" items. Think of it like Computer Plastic. Plenty of places will buy it at .02 or .03 cents a lb.. but shipping it at .34/lb- well that math is pretty easy. I run mine in local. I'm already going there.. I usually take 2 or 3 barrels a trip.. it never amounts to much $.. but I have a place that will, once again, recycle it responsibly. As an added bonus.. I get .03/lb instead of sending it to the curb where no one gets $ out of it.. and landfill space gets taken up.

I guarantee that there are e-wasters here on the forum that do not have a local buyer for plastic. They either have to ship it and lose a ton of $.. or they just have to toss it- knowing that out of a computer tower they have rescued various items that will be recycled and if they didn't do that.. all of what they did recycle would end up in a landfill.

All of us do the best we can in order to maximize our recycling efforts and our profits. And some folks are more fortunate to have facilities close to them to do so.. where others are just $hit out of luck!

I'm still looking for a place to take my plastic. Can't give it away. Always on the lookout for new buyers for all of my scrap.

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Originally Posted by jimicrk

I'm still looking for a place to take my plastic. Can't give it away. Always on the lookout for new buyers for all of my scrap.

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So to all who feel that I'm being harsh.. Jim's comment just proved my point. He would LIKE to get rid of his plastic.. he would be happy to GIVE IT AWAY.. to someone who could responsibly recycle it. If he could find someone to take it for FREE he would be happy.. could you only imagine how elated he would feel if someone said "Hey Jim.. I'll give you .03 cents a lb for all of it?"
It would blow his mind!!

Where he lives, he has a lack of buyers for the plastic. He Wants to "do right" and get it recycled.. but no one in his area has set up a facility to take it and recycle it!

Y'all smell what I'm stepping in now?

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Originally Posted by sledge

And that is the issue. I don't know of anyone who can ship a power supply and come out ahead. As far as e-waste goes they are IMO one of the largest "What the heck can I do to maximize my profit" items. Think of it like Computer Plastic. Plenty of places will buy it at .02 or .03 cents a lb.. but shipping it at .34/lb- well that math is pretty easy. I run mine in local. I'm already going there.. I usually take 2 or 3 barrels a trip.. it never amounts to much $.. but I have a place that will, once again, recycle it responsibly. As an added bonus.. I get .03/lb instead of sending it to the curb where no one gets $ out of it.. and landfill space gets taken up.

I guarantee that there are e-wasters here on the forum that do not have a local buyer for plastic. They either have to ship it and lose a ton of $.. or they just have to toss it- knowing that out of a computer tower they have rescued various items that will be recycled and if they didn't do that.. all of what they did recycle would end up in a landfill.

All of us do the best we can in order to maximize our recycling efforts and our profits. And some folks are more fortunate to have facilities close to them to do so.. where others are just $hit out of luck!

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I'm shipping 750lb pallet for $100....that is dropped off at terminal 5 miles from my house........Im figuring that is around .15 cents/lb.........ewasted is at .26/lb with wire on...So .11/lb shipped.........Seems to be working for me and is saving my hands which are not getting any younger......I have broken down 100's of power supplies and I agree there was more money to be made from breaking them down Just didn't seem like enough of a return for the amount of time I invested in them

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Originally Posted by mikeinreco

I'm shipping 750lb pallet for $100....that is dropped off at terminal 5 miles from my house........Im figuring that is around .15 cents/lb.........ewasted is at .26/lb with wire on...So .11/lb shipped.........Seems to be working for me and is saving my hands which are not getting any younger......I have broken down 100's of power supplies and I agree there was more money to be made from breaking them down Just didn't seem like enough of a return for the amount of time I invested in them

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Where there's a will there's a way! Mike making it happen.. adapting and overcoming! Good on Mike!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sledge

It would be like something like say- used motor oil. I feel lucky that I can take it to an auto parts store and give it to them for free! I know it is being recycled responsibly and not ending up in our water supply. Someone may come along and say "Well I get paid .05 cents a quart for it" For that person- AWESOME.. lucky for them.. but I don't have someone who pays for it.. so I recycle it in the best way I can for the planet. I don't begrudge the person who gets the .05 per quart. Do I wish I could get paid .05 a quart- sure.. but I can't so I do the best I can with the resources I've got!
:)

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Sometimes we can help each other out.

It might be different where you are but most of our homes & businesses are heated with #2 fuel oil. With fuel oil running anywhere from 2.85 - 3.85 USD/gal. it's pretty big expense in the winter. (It costs over 1,000.00 $ a month to heat some places.)

Furnaces specially designed to burn waste oil debuted here about 15 years ago. They're pretty popular with the garages that do a lot of service work like oil changes because it's free heat !

Anything going on in your area ? (I've heard of them paying 1.00$ a gallon for waste oil in New Your state.)

It's a bit off topic from the thread but sometimes the opportunities are there in your area. It's just a question of finding the right contacts. Still ... being able to dispose of it responsibly at the parts store isn't a bad deal either.

I still break my Power Supplies down. I take the wire, the AL and the copper breakage off. Then I throw the board (whats left of it lol!) in the low grade board box and sell them for 10 cents a pound. I never did the math on whole vs broke down but I still enjoy taking them apart this way instead of throwing them in shread. I dunno, it's like I'm afraid I'll lose sleep if I don't break them down lol.