Motors: Useful in all sorts of projects, especially robotics.Lithium-Ion Batteries: All around useful, these items are found in old mobile phones.Household appliances are very useful: Look out for old printers, computers, computer hardware, DVD-players, motorized toys, electric tooth brushes, fax machines, modems, washing machines, and refrigerators. Mom’n’pop–style electronics repair shops are a dying breed, but an excellent source for vintage electronics and rare components, given the clientele are often of a less wasteful generation. Tons of working printers are discarded due to the high cost of printer ink. You’ll find a vast array of discarded goods here ripe for the picking, although motorized components may not always function. These locations are ideal for either collecting mass low-index components such as capacitors or finding tons of advanced components like stepper motors. Scrapyards and recycling plants are the Disneyland of salvaging. Propane torch: Pertinent to mass de-soldering, more on this below.Oscilloscope: Enables the viewing of the exact wave shape of an electrical signal.Multi-Meter: Checks batteries and other components for voltage.Solder wick: The wick aids in the removal of solder from PCBs.Soldering Iron: The most useful tool in removing electronic components off of circuit boards.Wire strippers: Strip the rubber coating off of wires.Wire cutters: Self-explanatory wire cutters clip any wires or cables you encounter.Its grip can provide leverage when removing screws.
Pliers: This tool simplifies the burden of unwinding springs and coils.Vice grips : Useful for holding electronics when de-soldering or applying the blow torch.Screwdriver: Obtain a set of variably sized screwdrivers they are among your most useful tools for salvaging.Batteries can explode when heated, and power supplies often retain large voltage charges inside, even if unplugged. PCBs emit a foul odor when burning that lingers for a long period of time, and the odor may be toxic.īe careful with batteries and main power supplies. Additionally, protective gloves, jeans and steel toe boots also come in handy when exploring scrapyards and the like.Īlways work in a well-ventilated area next to an exhaust fan, preferably outdoors.
With that said, be sure to invest in a pair of quality goggles – you don’t want them fogging up or slipping off your face in the middle of cutting, soldering, or drilling. Let’s face it, having an assorted collection of supplies tickles some primal human urge to hoard, and it feels great! What LEGO builder doesn’t dream of having organized bins of blocks sorted by color and shape?Īs boring as prioritizing safety above the actual meat may be, losing an eye is a good way to forget any future salvaging expedition. Best of all, you’re saving money, recycling, learning, and amassing an armory of useful bits that may someday find purpose a in a DIY electronics project. Salvaging is like treasure hunting: You never what you’re going to get.