62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer [and Other Discarded Electronics]

by Randy Sarafan

Computer hacking takes on a whole new meaning when you're going at it with a screwdriver and announcing the most wildly inventive, eco-friendly craft book on repurposing everyday objects since Generation T . Except in this case the raw material isn't a T-shirt, but the stuff we all have lying around and have no idea what to do with, or even how to get rid of properly―your old cell phone, a broken printer, irredeemable iPod, busted digital camera, mysterious thatches of cables and wires, orphaned keyboards, and of course, those dead PCs and laptops.

Created by a Parsons design graduate who’s obsessed with navigating the intersection of art and technology, here are 62 ingenious projects that are irresistibly geek-chic. An iMac Terrarium―how cool is that? A laptop Digital Photo Frame. The impressively green Scanner Compost Bin. Plus a power strip Bird Feeder, Walkman Soap Dish, My First Squiggle Bot, Qwerty Hair Tie, Flat-screen Ant Farm. Each project has complete, step-by-step instructions, is rated by difficulty―in a thorough first chapter the author covers all the tools and skills needed to take apart electronics safely―and is arranged by use, from stuff for the house, to fashion, toys, arts and crafts, items for pets, and more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts, Technology, Reference

252 pages, Paperback

First published February 11, 2010

Reviews

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book but came away disappointed. There is a lot of great information in here (Tools, Techniques, and Safety) but so many of the actual projects were just kind of... meh... The Scanner Table (p. 46) with the spindly legs (with the Helpful Hint that it is not intended for heavy loads...) could have been SO. MUCH. MORE. It has the makings for a modern collector's table but falls short. Even the Cable Cord Coasters (p. 50) could be better with just finessing of the cable end (not just chopping it off and gluing it down)... I think the Capacitor Earrings (p. 92) will be an easy but stylish project to do, but that's about it. I will be looking at dead tech items with a different eye so that is something.

[Susan Bewley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone with tons of dead computers and electronics around, I couldn’t wait for this book to arrive. Inside this book there are so many fun projects, ranging from sewing projects to building your own furniture or musical instruments using dead or useless parts. While some of the projects are great for kids (or just outright silly), others are actually quite neat. Two of my personal favorite are building a DIY projector and making a scanner side table. As someone who loves doing crafts and building things, I personally thought 62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer: (And Other Discarded Electronics) was a fun book, being perfect for DIYers of all skill levels.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. Nice diagrams

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning part of the book is very helpful describing the various tools and computer parts needed to make the projects. The author discusses all the usable pieces of an old computer and how to disassemble the computer safely. Unfortunately I didn't care for most of the projects. A few were useful but most were just kitchy and would (I thought) just end up looking junky. I'm not a big fan of recycled technology pieces anyway. I was hoping to find some projects to do with my students and did come up with a few.

I wish the author had discussed how to actually recycle unwanted components of recycled electronics. So for instance, once you empty your old iPod so you can use the case for a project, what do you do with the rest of it? The innards are the parts that contain toxic and rare metals and should be properly recycled. I did not see the author address this at all which was disappointing.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. I really wanted to like this book. As a tech teacher at an elementary school I come across tons of dead technology and am always trying to figure out how to best reuse it. This book had some fun ideas, but wasn't quite what I was thinking. Lots of crafty useless art things (nothing against that type of stuff...just wasn't want I want/need) and "fashion" that was questionable. I also had a hard time valueing their instructions. I have converted four old iMacs into terrariums and it took much more work/effort to create than the 8 simple steps in this book suggest. I had to "teach" someone else how to do this recently and a much more comprehensive set of directions was necessary. That being said, I'll still give some of their ideas a shot...

[Rebecca Recco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool how-to book to use up old computer parts.

Most of the projects are practical and fun. Some of the projects are clunky and sort of ugly, but so are computers, for the most part. It is really cool that you can make some nice things from old computer parts. It is good that the book starts with a thorough chapter on safety.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of really cool projects in this book. It explains the techy parts pretty well. I don't have the patience to try this stuff at this time in my life, but for those with the curiosity to break open old computers and make new things from them, this book is perfect!

[Peace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of this a lot, but I found most of the projects would be outside my capabilities, I didn't like a lot of them, and I was hoping more of them would be functional. It was cool to see how Sarafan makes all this stuff though.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Idea generator....

[Karen Tompert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very creative!

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute ideas. I like how the beginning describes the different parts of a computer, tools, and safety tips. Cannot wait to try and make some of the projects.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great ideas! I just need to round up some old techno-stuff!