Disassembling VHS tapes for recycling

A friend gave me a stack of VHS tapes as a challenge to recycle. VHS tapes have many different materials, molded plastic pieces, springs, screws and spools of magnetic tape. The cases too may be made of various plastics or cardboard. 

Taking the tapes apart usually requires removing five phillips screws and cutting any labels so the two large plastic parts of the case can open.

The tape is usually held in place on the spools with a plastic key. If the last person to use the tape did not follow the "Be Kind Unwind" rule then you can use an electric drill with a piece of metal folded in the chuck to spin the spool and wind on the tape.

Removing the key releases the tape from the spool.

I am still experimenting what the various parts can be used for and I have started some art projects with the tape.   

Several upcycling/reclaimed material projects

Here are some projects I have recently completed where I have used recycled/upcycled/reclaimed materials.

Improved Laptop Stand

When I bought the stand I had a Dell Inspiron laptop which is much thicker than the Macbook Pro, so I needed to upgrade the stand when I upgraded the computer. Using double-sided foam tape, I stuck the cardboard buffers to stand. I recently completed the project with a paint job and tape to give an under construction look and to remind me that the stand should be kept clear for the laptop.    

Components:

IKEA BRADA laptop stand
Cardboard
Double sided tape
Electrical tape
Paint
Varnish

Piano Table

A set of drawers recycled into a table for a small piano keyboard. I removed all of the drawers and the kickboard and I repositioned the sliders for top drawer so it would be as close to the top of the table as possible and have a lower profile. I removed the handles and faceplate of the top drawer, cut faceplate to shape and carved the clef symbols into the surface. Sanding and several coats of paint and varnish give the bottom edge of the draw a smooth finish.

Components:

Set of drawers (waist height)

Paint

Varnish

Floppy disc cube

A quick and easy way to repurpose floppy discs. I taped the six discs into a cube with a hinged lid. Currently storing old business cards.

Components:

6 Floppy discs 

Electrical tape

Umbrella cushion

I had two umbrellas with some broken ribs, but otherwise intact. I also had a pile of mostly dead pillows. I removed the handles and ribs from the umbrellas and sewed the two umbrella fabrics together around the edge with a zip for access and filled it with pillow stuffing. To patch a hole, I used a scrap of fabric cut to an umbrella shape. A functional rib from the umbrellas was used to replace a broken rib in another umbrella.

Components:

Two umbrellas of the same size

Six pillows
Fabric scrap
Zipper