Old VCR's

[Sudden]

Hi,
Can parts of an old VCR be salvaged for use elsewhere?
I was thinking of the tuner side and maybe the power unit.
I have a very old non scart and not working VCR. It's the tape side that doesn't work. It just seems a waste to throw the whole thing away.

 

[davelectronic]

Hi Sudden.
There are a lot of bits components that can be reclaimed from a VCR.
I mostly reclaim the power board and parts, plus some hardware, i think some people use the motors, but yes go for it reclaim as much as you need and can re use, call me a scavenger, but i reclaim from other old domestic electricals, why not it saves money, its creative in the project you can build, if your more into program circuits then i expect there is stuff there as well. Happy foraging.
Dave.D

 

[(*steve*)]

If nothing else, scavenging parts improves your soldering skill in one particular area -- removing components without destroying them.

If you plan on trying to fix stuff, you can always practice on discarded equipment.

When you get good, you can identify and salvage many useful parts.

It will also improve your skills in looking for datasheets, because it is pointless salvaging a part that you know nothing about (unless it's for a direct replacement of another exact same part).

 

[OLIVE2222]

Hi Sudden,

If the tuner as a test swith, you can build a poor man TV signal generator with.

Olivier

 

[nowire9]

Just be careful. I have been inundated with salvaged parts, and have lost all storage area in my shop. It's a beast that can quickly get out of hand - suddenly everything you look at "has potential".

 

[(*steve*)]

Also remember that the cost of salvaged parts is quite high. You may get them for free, but the time it takes you to salvage them, find documentation, store them (so you can find them), and the risk that they are faulty all add to your cost.

 

[Sudden]

Hi All,
Thanks for the ideas. The old vcr has now been renamed test gear and stored away.

 

[lapistola]

I save assorts of broken electronics for taking parts off. I only tend to take the parts off when needed though. I have a VCR currently in the scrap pile, I had it in mind for the motor.

 

[davelectronic]

On the subject you can collect to much being thrifty. ive got two old pc monitor boards with a fair few bits and pieces to reclaim on them, as ive got alot of new components and other reclaimed stuff, part of me is saying chuck them out, the other part of me is saying do i know how much this that and other bits cost, and dont throw them out, there is a war with in me going on as what to do with the boards, sods law i throw them out, then in afew weeks think why didant i keep them for a component on there.

 

[jackorocko]

I am totally looking for old vcrs, scanners, and printers right now. I have thrown at least 5 out over the years and now that I want to make a 3 axis cnc machine bed, of course there is nothing to salvage motors from so I can start testing out this micro-controller before I go full scale. Had I only been allowed to keep those old electronics I wouldn't be bummed right now. Sometimes your significant other doesn't always see the same potential. I say keep what you can, do your part to recycle e-waste!!! that is my new excuse lol

 

[davelectronic]

I see what your saying, those motors are hard to come by, good quality ones anyway, i try to remove the main board from an item pus any hard ware, if i can stash away a pcb or two, my significant other does not see a dead electrical item cluttering up our place, she see's a monitor as junk, but what the eye dont see, haha, try and remove the wanted stuff quickly, so the bulk waste is gone, leaving you time to sought the wanted important stuff later, away from significant others, as they dont understand the importance of being thrifty.

 

[daddles]

One other thought -- you can also occasionally salvage nice mechanical stuff by taking things apart too. I have a nice little attachment I made for my height gauge in my shop and it came from an 8 track player I bought in the 60's...