DIY E-waste Bug Sculptures From Recycled Electronics

I'm always gathering electronics to build up my collection of parts. I usually intend to reuse the components in other projects, but sometimes I'd rather admire them instead. I'm always looking at components and imagining what else they could be a part of. This build started when I found some large red varistors that looked like tiny wings from something.

I decided to take this further and build some small bug and insect sculptures using recycled electronic components I'd salvaged recently. I am by no means the first person to have an idea like this, but I thought it would be fun to document anyway.

All you need to make this is a few common tools, any kind of electronics, some creativity and some patience. The work can be pretty intricate at times, but if you have a good setup you can make these very quickly and easily.

Materials:

• Old/broken electronics: These can be found everywhere! If you're having trouble, try asking friends, looking at charity shops and asking if your local e-waste recycling centre will let you have some. Another good trick I've found is to check in/around bins at apartment buildings; when people move out they often leave lots of stuff behind.
• Brass tubing (optional): Great for adding structural support.

Tools:

• Screwdrivers: No such thing as too many screwdrivers. A variety of screwdriver bits allows you to break into all sorts of things, but you can get away with just a Philips screwdriver to start.
• Soldering iron + solder: Any kind will do, I prefer ones with temperature control. They cost more but are worth it if you plan on doing more with electronics in the future.
• Desoldering pump (optional): Spring-loaded handheld type, or a vacuum pump attached to a soldering iron. Makes everything easier.
• Fume extractor: Soldering produces toxic fumes. It is important that you work in a well-ventilated space with a fume extractor fan. If you don't want to invest in a high quality one with a carbon filter, they are very easy to build yourself.
• Pliers/tweezers: Any will do. I like to use reverse-action tweezers like these.
• Super glue: Make sure it works with plastic & metal surfaces.

There are a few things you need to watch out for when working on a project like this.

• Live wires: Make sure everything is turned off & unplugged before touching anything.
• Capacitors: High voltage capacitors can hold electricity for a very long time. If you get shocked by one, it can either hurt like hell or kill you. You can discharge a capacitor by shorting its pins together using a screwdriver or some piece of thick metal (watch out for sparks if you do this).
• Solder fumes: When melting any kind of solder, dangerous fumes will come out. Be sure to work in a well ventilated area and have a fume extractor fan nearby.
• Heavy metals: You can be exposed to metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury in some electronics. Be sure not to damage/destroy components such as batteries and cathode-ray tubes. In general, its probably a good idea not to break open things that don't want to be opened, chemicals are nasty.

Now is the fun part! Find something you'd like your creation to be based off, and look for parts that could contribute to that design. Or you can work backwards: Find an interesting looking part and think about what it looks like and what it could be a piece of. For my other creations, I set myself the goal of only using one colour as a base for each creature. You can mix & match pieces until you come up with something that looks interesting to you.

Steps:

1. Clear a space to work and make sure your soldering iron is clean by wiping it hot on a wet sponge.
2. Use pliers to bend your components into the shape you want them (e.g. legs, claws or jaws will need a curve in them).
3. Put a bit of solder onto the pins of the components you will be joining. Doing it before you join them will make everything easier. You can hold them steady with tweezers.
4. Solder the components together into little groups. For example, I like to solder 3 legs at a time for each side, then join them later.
5. Attach these groups together using solder and/or glue. Depending what superglue you use, you may have to hold pieces in place while the glue sets - this is where tweezers and pliers come in handy.
6. Once you've finished, let it sit for up to 24 hours for the glue to fully set.