DIY
CIRCUITS
FLASH MEMORY HARD DISK
This fake hard drive stores more data
and raises eyebrows. By Brian Nadel
I love mixing technologies to create an amalgam
that looks like one thing but is actually something
different. A case in point is the old hard drive that
I stuffed full of flash memory. It looks like an internal
drive, but it’s actually a solid-state memory peripheral that plugs in via USB. This makes it an instant
conversation starter for anyone who ventures into
my office.
Photograph by Sam Murphy
1. Gut the hard drive.
The original drive stored 10GB, and by filling it with
three 4GB memory sticks, I actually increased its
capacity. To start the conversion, I attacked the
3½", 2-platter hard disk drive. Using a T9 Torx
screwdriver, I unscrewed about a dozen screws
from the case. Then I tore out the guts and cleared
out space to make room for the flash drives and
their cables.
MATERIALS
Old hard disk drive does not need to work
Small USB hub
USB flash drives ( 3–4) as many as the USB hub
will take; I used 3.
USB cables ( 3–4) Get 2–3 short ones, to let the
memory sticks pack close together, and another
one of any length for the external cable.
Insulating tape
TOOLS
Torx screwdriver My drive’s screws needed a T9.
Large slotted screwdriver or equivalent for prying
Pliers
Dremel with abrasive wheel bit
Drill and drill bits
X-Acto knife
Make: 159
