How to Shuck External Hard Drives (Cheaper NAS Storage Disks!)
Hard drives can be expensive, especially if you are using a LOT of storage for all of your devices and services. Shucking an external hard drive can be a great way to save some cash and still get a NEW (not renewed) hard drive into your system for a little extra work. For instance, I was able to shuck this 18TB Western Digital EasyStore for about $200 when a comparable (Gold Label) 18TB Western Digital internal hard drive is about $550. For a little extra work, you can save a lot of money and have more choices when shopping due to different labels and brands by retailer (EasyStore vs MyBook vs Elements). Now, there might be less performance on these White Label disks but in my NAS I can't tell a difference between shucked and internally marketed drives.
I also install an old dying hard drive back into this enclosure to live out the rest of its days and share some tips towards the end on how to get some extra value out of the enclosure and how to find drives cheaper with context vs just searching the internet.
Drive not working? Double check your 3.3v pin!
Amazon Links:
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Polyimide Tape : https://amzn.to/480L3nz
3M Brand Kapton Tape: https://amzn.to/428LUB0electrical
Cheap Utility Knife: https://amzn.to/3U4354S
18TB Western Digital Elements : https://amzn.to/3UaBj6z
Duck Brand Electrical Tape: https://amzn.to/47Obtsp
Time Stamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:07 - What is Shucking?
01:28 - Disassembly
02:43 - Chassis Tab Locations for Disassembly
04:57 - 3.3v 3rd Pin Fix
07:50 - Installing in PC
08:18 - Reassembly of HDD Enclosure with Old HDD
12:17 - Special Shout out to Shucks.top!