I’m taking apart a broken tape recorder produced in the 70s (a Tesla B57, made in Czechoslovakia), to harvest some parts (inductors, switches, …) and maybe reuse the case for some project.
Which made me wonder: are there any dangers to protect myself against? I know about lead, so I’ll take precautions when desoldering things. Is there anything else to be aware of? Some fumes, other toxic materials, …?
I’m not planning to connect the device to power in any way, so from an electrical perspective there should be nothing to worry about (except for caps maybe). Am I wrong?
Mostly I just work in a well ventilated area. Oh and for sure disconnect power before desoldering anything.
Other than that, I avoid taking apart microwaves (beryllium, high voltage), anything with a CRT (imploding glass, high voltage), and high voltage transformers (transformer oil, high voltage). Also any medical equipment (chemical hazard, radiation hazards, biohazard, high voltage, imploding glass). Oh and no unexploded munitions for reasons that should be obvious (people still salvage these in my country and it sometimes doesn’t end well).
I find a hot air rework station+tweezers a much faster way to salvage than jamming a hot iron into boards. Also lets you salvage SMT components, which are most of the better parts these days. For 1970s stuff, it’s mostly through-hole, I’d test the parts before trying to reuse them. Capacitors especially. Got to love those big transistors from our side of the Iron Curtain though.
Discharge capacitors before fucking with them.
There is the old thermal paste made of Beryllium oxide. Best not to eat it.
Best not to eat it.
dang… what else to do with the leftovers then?
Grind it into dust, add sand, pour molten non-recyclable plastic into it (e.g. recyclable plastic with too many impurities). Market it as a weighted ballast material e.g. for the base of IKEA lamps.
Some old electronics use asbestos in heating elements or for shielding. Be careful when dealing with old hair dryers, coffee makers, stoves etc.
I don’t see how there could be any in your tape recorder though. It’s just what came to my mind when I read the title.
Any bubbled up and leaking condenser may be acidic, don’t touch it.
Soldering fumes are bad.
That’s all I can think of.
