million dollars in gold and silver. Just think about learning how to extract that!
Kindling That Creative Spark!
I firmly believe that the best way to learn is to embrace creativity and curiosity. A wise man once said, “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Upcycling technology is a great way to tap into that creativity while having fun and learning more about the technological world around you. Taking a peak behind the casing helps demystify technology while making it less scary and confusing yet more intriguing and approachable. Seeing the creative potential in old technology can inspire you to create anything; you’re limited only by your imagination! Have I piqued your interest yet?
Let’s jump right in!
Safety First!
Manuals are for putting things together, not taking things apart, right? We’re about to go beyond the instruction booklets to see where the world of technological upcycling can take us! But even seasoned upcyclers need to be cautious when dealing with electronics. Messing around with old devices doesn’t come without its risks. Once we alter how something works and plug it into a power source, improperly connected components can be harmful or deadly. So to help alleviate becoming human toast, please be sure to tap into your common (and uncommon) senses when creating your own devices. Along with that, here are a few tips to help you stay safe.
Red Wire or Green Wire?
If you’ve never cracked open an electronic device before, staring at all those wires, circuits, and components can be a little bit daunting. To help demystify the unfamiliar land of electronics, it would be beneficial to know at least some of the components you’re looking at so that you can navigate this new territory easily. Not only is this knowledge recommended for safety reasons (since for example, some components can store electrical charges), but it also aids in scavenging for useful parts and components.
Where’s That Fire Extinguisher?
Aside from what you have decided to work on, where you decide to work on it is just as important. Make sure that your workspace has plenty of ventilation and is safe and dry. Try not to have too much clutter or debris that can get in the way. First-aid kits and fire extinguishers are always a good thing to have. Also, wearing proper safety equipment such as goggles, antistatic gloves, face masks, and so on is a good idea. Hey, if we’re channeling our inner mad scientists, we might as well look the part, right?
Electricity Is DANGEROUS
Although you probably already know this, it’s important to point out that electricity can be very harmful or deadly. Always disconnect power before working on a device. Capacitors can store electricity long after a unit has been powered off, so it’s important to learn how to properly discharge them before handling them. Use surge protectors and never plug anything directly into a wall outlet. And if you smell something burning, disconnect power immediately.
Where Do I Look?
When getting started with upcycling old electronics, the first thing you need is “stuff.” Since computers, tablets, and smartphones are constantly being upgraded, they creates a surplus of old tech just waiting to be saved from a death by dumpster and given a new life. That being the case, it shouldn’t be too hard to find what you need for free or super cheap. The key is knowing where to look, so I’ve put together some of the most common places to find old tech.
Home
Most of you reading this book probably have a junk drawer, closet, or attic full of hidden tech gems primed for hacking and upcycling (I had a Radio Shack Tandy 1000). The obvious benefit of starting from home is that it’s free. And since you own it, you are probably already somewhat familiar with it. Another bonus is that using it only requires permission from yourself.
Dumpster Diving
It’s surprising how much e-waste actually makes it into the trash. But we can turn that tragedy into our gain, not to mention, it’s free! Dumpster diving is the act of rummaging through dumpsters to find hidden treasures. In this case, those treasures are old or broken electronics. College campuses (especially Ivy League colleges) are great places to find useful stuff tossed out by a student who doesn’t have a need for it anymore. If those tech treasures end up making their way to the landfill, not to worry! Your local dump itself can be a great place to look for goods.
Yard Sales
Love a good yard sale? If dumpster diving isn’t your thing, then yard sales are a great way to score decent and unique electronics for cheap. A lot of sellers don’t know the actual value of what’s being sold and ultimately just want to get rid of it. The downside is that yard sales can be infrequent and hard to find. Also, the items generally aren’t free, but sometimes it may be worth spending a few bucks for the perfect item.
Online
Let’s be real, visiting yard sales and dumpster diving can require a lot of effort. If that’s not for you, then acquiring devices online is probably the way to go. You may not be able to find old broken devices on Amazon, but sites like Craigslist or eBay (in the US) may have the perfect item for your project!
What Do I Look For?
Now that you know where to look, how do you know what to look for? Sorting through dozens of electronic items to find what you need can be daunting if everything just looks like a pile of odd-looking bits and pieces. Some devices are richer in reusable components than others, so it’s helpful to know which devices are guaranteed to be a good score. One key piece of advice I can offer is that older devices tend to have components that are easier to reuse. Newer devices have smaller and more integrated components that are more difficult to extract. With that in mind, here are a few devices that are worth considering if you come across them.
Printers, Scanners, Faxes
Old printers, scanners, and fax machines are great finds because they contain reusable motors and generally a sliding mechanism. Most of them will also have buttons and maybe an LCD screen or two that can be salvaged. Scanners also have really cool light bars that can be used for…something.
VCR and DVD Players
With how quickly media formats change, those poor VCR and DVD players
