Disc drive – Anything useful inside ?

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

[Speedy Builder5Participant @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?

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Couple of very powerful magnets, nice Ali disc, motor might be useful.

[Frances IoMParticipant @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

[Mark RandParticipant @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:-

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Powetful magnets albeit odd shapes; tiny bearings, motor might come in useful for something small.

George.

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