Organizing Deconstruction Night: Where to Find Variety of Equipment

[flatmaster]

I am trying to put together a deconstruction night for my students. We will collect all sorts of broken and obsolete equipment and appliances to take apart and see how they work before they are pitched.

I've already stopped at an appliance shop, music store, and computer store on my way home with mixed results. I'm going to hit up the thrift store on the way home.

Any other ideas of where to get a variety of old equipment? It would be ideal to go to one place with a myriad of stuff so I don't need to visit a bunch of different places.

I'm thinking a Rent-A-Center might be a good place to go.

 

[berkeman]

Be sure to discharge any large capacitors that are in these appliances. They can hold a charge for a surprisingly long time, and the unexpected shock that results can be no fun.

Good idea for an activity for your students!

 

[flatmaster]

Be sure to discharge any large capacitors that are in these appliances. They can hold a charge for a surprisingly long time, and the unexpected shock that results can be no fun.

Good idea for an activity for your students!

Any other major safety issues to keep an eye out for?
Wikipedia says lead-free solder was mandated only as recently as 2006. Should I worry about lead?


Asbestos
Lead solder
TV Vacuum tube
Misc sharps (glass, metal burs)

 

[berkeman]

If you are going to be taking apart any TVs, yes, the CRT is very dangerous. They hold a charge for a crazy long time, and it's potentially lethal. I'm not sure taking about any CRT-based TVs is a good idea. If you could stick with plasma and LCD versions, that would be much safer.

 

[AlephZero]

Apart from the resibual charge issue, accidentally breaking a CRT is highly dangerous, because the internal vacuum causes an implosion amd scatters glass splinters around.

If you want to show kids what is inside a CRT, first seal it up in a STRONG packing box (e.g. the sort of packaging that a new TV woulf be delivered in), break the tube with a hammer blow, then remove the contents wearing suitable protection against cuts (industrial-grade gloves, safety goggles or full face mask, etc).

 

[AlephZero]

Wikipedia says lead-free solder was mandated only as recently as 2006. Should I worry about lead?

IMO Lead solder won't be a health hazaerd unless you plan to unsolder components. (Assuming common sense precautions handling any old and dirty equipment, like no eating in the lab etc). The main hazard was from breathing fumes while soldering.

 

[berkeman]

Yes, if you are going to be doing any soldering/desoldering, you should have some way to keep the solder smoke and fumes away from the students. At work we have exhaust hoods over our solder stations. When I did a lot of soldering at home, I had one of these portable solder fume extractor/filter units...

http://tesco.scene7.com/is/image/tesco/270-1026_PI_1000005MN?wid=250&hei=250&$Detail$

 

[flatmaster]

We have a fume hood for desoldering. Good idea.

How do I break the tube with a hammer if its in the box? Have some part to it protrude in a heavy bag.

If you are going to be taking apart any TVs, yes, the CRT is very dangerous. They hold a charge for a crazy long time, and it's potentially lethal. I'm not sure taking about any CRT-based TVs is a good idea. If you could stick with plasma and LCD versions, that would be much safer.

 

[flatmaster]

Some great ideas here. Now I just need a place to find all this junk.

 

[berkeman]

We have a fume hood for desoldering. Good idea.

How do I break the tube with a hammer if its in the box? Have some part to it protrude in a heavy bag.

I would strongly recommend against breaking a CRT, even with strong safety precautions. Just show a YouTube video for that demo, please

One idea for finding things to take apart might be to talk to your local e-cycling place. They might let you borrow some number of things, if you promise to bring them back all the parts after you take the things apart...

 

[flatmaster]

I would strongly recommend against breaking a CRT, even with strong safety precautions. Just show a YouTube video for that demo, please

One idea for finding things to take apart might be to talk to your local e-cycling place. They might let you borrow some number of things, if you promise to bring them back all the parts after you take the things apart...

I was thinking about that. I'm not sure if they would want us to sort stuff as we took it apart.

 

[Astronuc]

One could take apart microwaves, and perhaps laser printers or small copiers, radios, CD players, DVD players, old record players, old movie projectors (probably school AV departments still have some), motors, pumps, lectrical switches/relays, or take apart a small car. Cars have lots of parts - engine, transmission, and various electronics in the dashboard/console.

 

[jim hardy]

Check you local metal recycler. Ours is full of appliances and yard machines.

You have a great opportunity to spur creativity.
1 washing machine motor + 1 car alternator = one heck of a battery charger.

A small outboard is a good project for a youth. Ones from 1950's & 60's are simple. Look for ones like this:


I've fixed and given away several to neighborhood teens.. but I make them help so they'll learn.
I picked up one identical to above just last week. 30 cents a pound, ~ $15.

 

[Averagesupernova]

I can't believe no one here knows about the little glass 'tit' on the back of the neck of the CRT. It is underneath the plastic that pushes over the pins. The 'tit' is there to safely allow air into the tube when the TV is determined to be junk. Then there is no real danger if the tube is broken. At least no more danger than breaking a window. When the tube is broken under a high vacuum, there is ALOT of glass moving very quickly. I have shot a CRT from a distance with a .22 rifle. It is pretty violent.

 

[flatmaster]

So far, thrift stores have proven lucrative. I found an old sewing machine without the power cord and a record/8track player. Sewing machine should be pretty cool.

Any tricks we can do with the amplified phonograph needle before we destroy it? I suppose we could just take it off and touch things that are vibrating.

 

[flatmaster]

Deconstruction begins Monday. I have among other things...

Microwave,
sewing maching
old rack-mount oscillascope
old rack-mount voltmeter
Electronics for old pH probe
Iron
hair drier
All sorts of computer components.

 

[jim hardy]

Old VCR's are great too - lots of gears and wheels...

Beware of the big transformer in that microwave. DO NOT let the kids attach a power cord and energize it. Make them remove the high voltage winding (the one with tiny wire).
Those transformers make ~2500 volts solidly grounded at an amp or two.
If it gets hold of someone, he can't let go and it IS going to be lethal...
Each year several people are electrocuted by microwave oven transformers.
http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=200030211

That's the only really dangerous thing I see on your list.

Have fun !

 

[flatmaster]

Everything went pretty well. It's morphed into a continuous project to fill 5 minutes here and there.

 

[Danger]

If you are continuing your search, I have one more suggestion. My absolute favourite things to ransack are typewriters. They are, to me, the epitome of ingenious engineering. I'm still building things using parts from a 1923 Underwood and I have several other kinds in my "boneyard". Also, an IBM Selectric has an awesome motor with a Gilmer drive.