Disc drive – Anything useful inside ?

Disc drive – Anything useful inside ?

This topic has 5 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 21 September 2021 at 17:42 by mechman48.

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20 September 2021 at 18:51 #32211
Speedy Builder5
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@speedybuilder5
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20 September 2021 at 18:51 #563608
Speedy Builder5
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@speedybuilder5
I have a 3.5" Segate disc drive from my satellite box which gave intermittent faults. I have replaced the drive, but before I throw the old one away, would there be anything useful inside it?
20 September 2021 at 19:05 #563609
John Haine
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@johnhaine32865
Couple of very powerful magnets, nice Ali disc, motor might be useful.
20 September 2021 at 19:07 #563610
Frances IoM
Participant
@francesiom58905
the tiny screws, two powerful but awkwardly shaped magnets, a couple of small bearings – I believe, but haven’t done it myself, that the alloy case can be melted down.
The actual disk platter is extremely accurately flat but never found a use for it – the first generation disc drives used a glass but later ones used metal
The small motor driving the platter can be removed but you need the extra electronics to drive it
20 September 2021 at 20:35 #563615
Mark Rand
Participant
@markrand96270
The magnets can be useful, the motors often not, it can be a lot of work to get the bearings out without damage.

You need a lot more than one drive, but you make them into useful raw material:-
21 September 2021 at 17:42 #563744
mechman48
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@mechman48
Powetful magnets albeit odd shapes; tiny bearings, motor might come in useful for something small.

George.
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