DIY
WORKSHOP
A crop of makers’
materials is ripe for the
picking inside this old
radio.
DUMPSTER CORNUCOPIA
Reusing components from discarded
electronics. By Thomas Arey
Photography by Thomas Arey
Surface mount components have revolutionized from discarded electronic devices. Most house-
all aspects of the electronics industry. However, holds relegate broken or obsolete electronics to
they have been somewhat of a mixed blessing for the trash because the industry has advanced to
electronics hobbyists. Homebuilders, especially the point that new devices can often be purchased
those involved in the radio hobby, are experienc- for less than the cost of repairing the original
ing a shortage of some through-hole (traditional unit. The politics of this throwaway economy are
leaded) components. beyond the scope of this article, but it remains
This parts shortage problem has happened both a preference and a challenge, for me person-
before. The move from vacuum-tube-based ally, to turn the parts of discarded electronics
technology to transistors, and the subsequent into new projects.
advance of integrated circuits over discrete I do this not only with electronics discarded
semi-conductors, both sent electronics hob- in my own household, but also with devices
byists in search of rare parts to build fun and scrounged from friends and neighbors. I even
exciting things. resort to a bit of casual dumpster diving when I
Closeout and surplus dealers are always a pos- am out walking my dogs on local trash days. It is
sibility, as are online auctions. But I enjoy using not uncommon for my walks to turn up discarded
the time-honored technique of salvaging parts radios, televisions, VCRs, children’s toys, and
