hard drive destruction

[bruss01]

If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.

Large flowerpot
Paint can
Bag of sand
5 lbs powdered aluminum
5 lbs powdered iron oxide
1 small strip of magnesium

Do this in a safe area outdoors where no danger of fire is present. Preferably in a hole in the ground.

Put the paint can in the flowerpot and pour the sand in between the flowerpot and the paint can.

Put the hard disk in the paint can.

Mix the iron oxide and aluminum thoroughly. Fill the paint can with this mix until it covers the hard disk. Heck, use it all, at least as much as will fit in the can.

Insert the small magnesium strip in to the mixed powder. Light the strip with a lighter or match and stand quickly back.

Hilarity ensues.

Hard disk disposal... accomplished.

Optional - Fill in the hole.

[robcoe]

I was wondering what the best way to destroy a hard drive is?
I want quick,easy and mess free

They are in some old broken computers that need to get tossed
the data isnt top secret or craziness like that but still needs to get destroyed

Someone suggested running magnets over the computer and that would render the hard drive dead.

Thank you

I find 30-06 works well.

[packnrat]

just burn them.
put the hard drive in a burn barrel, fireplace etc, get a really good hot fire burning and with the drives in the bottom of the pile, when the fire cools off no problem. all date is gone.

or just shoot the (*) out of them.

[Cuda440]

Best way to be sure....

CHOOT IT!!!

[Sebastian Cain]

I've destroyed many drives by hand. Disassemble the drive (simple), extract the platters and take a hammer to them. Toss the shattered platter pieces in the trash, recycle the rest.

[the86d]

If you have time, and a set of torx bits, you can disassemble them, and take sand paper to the platters...

Quickest and best option is still:
https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/...4&postcount=31

It is only 3 minutes of "work" (if you are a bad typist), and just a bit of "wait"...

[yellowsulphur]

The same 20 ton press you use to fit your AKM barrels should work quickly and mess free.

[p2rider426]

The stronger magnets will require significant strength to separate from each other and that is with a 1/2" metal support framework keeping them apart. You will know if you have them. These are not a toy moron. Large neodymium magnets are not a joke.

Stilly is gunning for the play stupid games win stupid prizes category of the week: Magnetic Idiocy- idiots are magnetically attracted do dangerous stunts. Who knew?

Relax man. They're just magnets. I got some skin pinched between two of the old school hard drive magnets when I was a kid and It just left a reddish purple bruise for a few days. It's not exactly on the same level as playing with explosives or anything...

[Wherryj]

9mm & 45ACP both work fine and don't really make that big of a mess.

Browning M2...When fun is more important than mess.

[the86d]

Maybe shooting/burning won't work entirely? :