Results 1 to 12 of 12
  1. #1
    Swampy started this thread.
    Swampy's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Apr 2013
    Location
    North Georgia, USA
    Posts
    258
    Thanks
    543
    Thanked 223 Times in 124 Posts

    Tools to dismantle laptops, hard drives, etc.

    What's the current consensus / opinion on best tools to take apart laptops, hard drives, cd/dvd drives etc. (for those that choose to do so)? So many small / precision screws involved takes time by hand, but finding the "perfect" drill/bit combo has eluded me up to this point. I've collected several laptops in various conditions, and have a few hard drives and cd drives on hand. Was just curious how others are doing this (again, for those who do decide to break down).



  2. #2
    HipoGear's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    May 2015
    Location
    Rochester, NY
    Posts
    734
    Thanks
    2,048
    Thanked 945 Times in 409 Posts
    You can buy sets of the torx bits online. Just make sure the sizes go down to about T4. You can get them from Amazon but usually the quality isn't great. I found a nice little Husky torx screwdriver at Home Depot (or Lowes) but it was the only one they had and the package had been taped closed. I'm not really sure if it is something they still carry.

    The best bet though is to use a cordless drill and get the common T bits you will need to fit that. Even Ace Hardware sells individual bits once you know the sizes you will use most.

  3. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by HipoGear:


  4. #3
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Jacksonville, NC
    Posts
    4,917
    Thanks
    15,632
    Thanked 5,861 Times in 2,713 Posts
    I have three Ryobi 12v drivers I use. It can take some experience using the power driver to avoid stripping out screws. Having three drivers set up with different bits can really speed you up. I refer to laptops as just one more d__n screw.

    I don't know your experience but be certain that breaking them down is best for your situation. 73, Mike
    "Profit begins when you buy NOT when you sell." {quote passed down to me from a wise man}

    Now go beat the copper out of something, Miked

  5. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by miked:


  6. #4
    Sirscrapalot's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2012
    Location
    A sandbar off the atlantic..OBX,NC
    Posts
    6,123
    Thanks
    11,885
    Thanked 8,783 Times in 3,854 Posts
    If you don't wish to use power tools, you can find good deals on bits for hand tools at this time of the year at your local hardware stores...ACE, Lowes, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, etc.

    When I use the hand tools(I'm fast with them at this point)I use the little Kobalt set at Lowe's last Christmas for like 4.99. Had everything in there I needed except for security torx or whatever their called. You shouldn't run into to many of them on laptops tho. Xboxs..yes..laptops not the ones I get at lest.

    Good advice tho from the Hip-O an Mike. You should listen to them.

    I'm just here for the beverages.

    Oh an good luck!

    Sirscrapalot - There are two kinds of statistics, the kind you look up and the kind you make up. - Rex Stout

  7. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Sirscrapalot:


  8. #5
    Swampy started this thread.
    Swampy's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Apr 2013
    Location
    North Georgia, USA
    Posts
    258
    Thanks
    543
    Thanked 223 Times in 124 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by miked View Post
    I have three Ryobi 12v drivers I use. It can take some experience using the power driver to avoid stripping out screws. Having three drivers set up with different bits can really speed you up. I refer to laptops as just one more d__n screw.

    I don't know your experience but be certain that breaking them down is best for your situation. 73, Mike
    I'm really leaning toward this method (2 or 3 drills). I've bought a couple of the small ones and just didn't work out. I'll keep looking for bits. I have a good set of Klein bits, just looking to speed up my work a bit.

    I go back and forth about breaking down. I'm just a part timer, so I can break down in evenings, etc. But the time / reward equation....still figuring it all out.

    Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated from everyone.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to Swampy for This Post:


  10. #6
    Swampy started this thread.
    Swampy's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Apr 2013
    Location
    North Georgia, USA
    Posts
    258
    Thanks
    543
    Thanked 223 Times in 124 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Sirscrapalot View Post
    If you don't wish to use power tools, you can find good deals on bits for hand tools at this time of the year at your local hardware stores...ACE, Lowes, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, etc.

    When I use the hand tools(I'm fast with them at this point)I use the little Kobalt set at Lowe's last Christmas for like 4.99. Had everything in there I needed except for security torx or whatever their called. You shouldn't run into to many of them on laptops tho. Xboxs..yes..laptops not the ones I get at lest.

    Good advice tho from the Hip-O an Mike. You should listen to them.

    I'm just here for the beverages.

    Oh an good luck!

    Sirscrapalot - There are two kinds of statistics, the kind you look up and the kind you make up. - Rex Stout
    I hope I get up your way sometime - I'll bring a cooler too! Seriously would enjoy meeting you one of these days for an autographed copy of your Book of Quotes. Also appreciate your advice to myself and others.

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to Swampy for This Post:


  12. #7
    mikeinreco's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2011
    Location
    TENNESSEE
    Posts
    4,972
    Thanks
    1,257
    Thanked 5,023 Times in 2,350 Posts

  13. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by mikeinreco:


  14. #8
    Sirscrapalot's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2012
    Location
    A sandbar off the atlantic..OBX,NC
    Posts
    6,123
    Thanks
    11,885
    Thanked 8,783 Times in 3,854 Posts
    My sandbar is always open to visits. Especially to those who bring coolers.

    Would you settle for an autograph on your cooler an a signed can/bottle? I'm no publisher.

    If you take the time to print out all 32 pages of them, goats included I'll be happy to sign it/them.

    An thank you for the kind words!

    On topic...I'm sure the power method is the way to go about it. I enjoy the tinkering tho with the hand tools, an keeps me sharp. Now when I was still doing a decent amount of Tube tv's and monitors...drill was the best way. I live on a sandbar tho..as they say..Island time(sandbar in this case) is slower then everywhere else. That's my excuse at lest.

    Sirscrapalot - I was born to be awesome, not perfect. - The Internet.

  15. The Following User Says Thank You to Sirscrapalot for This Post:


  16. #9
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    143
    Thanks
    12
    Thanked 137 Times in 57 Posts
    Torx IP8 and Torx IP7 are what I found will take apart most hard drives. The outer shell screws are 8 and some of the platter retainer screws are 7. The non-IP torx bits are loose and strip the screws I have found. torx plus is a better fit.

  17. #10
    MattInTheHat's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Sep 2012
    Location
    rock hill, sc
    Posts
    1,464
    Thanks
    1,142
    Thanked 1,396 Times in 703 Posts
    be careful using power tools on hard drives. some screws are glued/stuck and will strip your bit if you don't notice. its easier to regulate speed/pressure by hand
    Currently looking for a job in or related to scrap/recycling. Relocation is possible for the right offer.

  18. #11
    jimicrk's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Sep 2013
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    2,825
    Thanks
    2,917
    Thanked 4,838 Times in 1,877 Posts
    I've never stripped a torx bit using my drill but I've stripped plenty of screw heads. Taking apart 400 hard drives is hard enough with a drill much less using a hand tool. My hands don't work as well as they used to. I'm not saying you shouldn't break them down, it's just not something I'm going to do anymore.
    Me and my brother are in the process of making a tool to crush hard drives. Once we are finished I'll post some pics on my other thread.

  19. #12
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    143
    Thanks
    12
    Thanked 137 Times in 57 Posts
    Good deal on some good Torx IP7 bits. They took my $10 offer for 2. Wiha is a great brand.
    Wiha Soft Finish Torx Plus Screwdriver 7IP X 60 362IP Lot of 2 WIH26093 | eBay


  20. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. California | National - Buying Broken I-Series CPUs For Better Than Scrap + Large Capcity Hard Drives
      By ryanw in forum Scrap Buyers & Sellers
      Replies: 77
      Last Post: 06-03-2017, 03:55 PM
    2. Massachusetts - Massachusetts R2 Buying Hard drives / selling shredded drives and other eWaste
      By APEnterprises in forum Scrap Buyers & Sellers
      Replies: 9
      Last Post: 09-24-2015, 03:39 PM
    3. Need Advice: Opening computer hard drives from laptops
      By FLScrapperGuy1 in forum Scrap Metal Tips and Advice
      Replies: 35
      Last Post: 08-16-2015, 04:31 PM
    4. National - We buy all P4 laptops and hard drives
      By MvPElectronicRecycling in forum Scrap Buyers & Sellers
      Replies: 9
      Last Post: 07-21-2014, 11:36 PM
    5. Optical Drives, Hard Drives, and Floppy Drives, Ohhh My!
      By alekwb in forum Computer Recycling
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 03-18-2014, 09:46 AM

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook