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There used to be a company or perhaps "companies" who would advertise for pc boards out of junked equipment. I don't recall if it was for any "gold" content or maybe some components value. I have a couple boxes of PC boards sitting here that I use to scrap parts from when I'm homebrewing - but have found myself swamped with an over abundance of. I thought rather than tossing, if they're of any use to any company (or anyone) maybe I can get the PC boards to them - and have further use - rather than dump fill. But, if it is to be the dump - then I need to find out now so I can clear it out. I'm doing a major shack/shop cleaning. The PC boards come out of things from a wide range - VCRs, Cameras, TV related camera, CB, maybe some ham, two way, TV, Stereo, Computer, etc. Any one have any info on this question?

Thanks

Reply to
CLFE
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Components usually have very limited value. Usually confined to socketed things like EPROM, RAM, microprocessors, etc. But few consumer things have such socketed parts anymore.

If there's a charity organization that uses old PC's they might be interested in (for example) PC-clone video and network cards.

Twenty-or-more years ago whole subassemblies (e.g. TV tuners, IF strips) would be salvaged, refurbed, and resold to the repair shops but I don't think this is practical today.

If you're environmentally conscious you'll make sure that CRT's go in the right disposal pile, mercury/ni-cad batteries go to the right pile, etc.

Tim.

Reply to
Tim Shoppa

Computer boards sometimes have a little gold in them. Fractional grams, usually, so it takes a corporation to process a couple tons of boards, burn them, handle the chlorine and fluorine in the stack gasses (from burnt halogenated plastics, *cough hack*!), then melt the ash into slag, copper, iron, tin and lead, with a little bit of precious metals ranging from silver and gold to platinum metals. It's sometimes done with dead car catalytic converters thrown in, too. The slag is poured off (I guess) and the metal processed, probably by electroplating the metals apart.

On the History Channel I saw footage of a recycling place that was removing chips and stuff. Doesn't seem to me companies would like to build with reused parts, even the more expensive ones, though...

Tim

-- Deep Fryer: a very philosophical monk. Website:

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Reply to
Tim Williams

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