12 Clever Ways to Repurpose Old Tech

1. 1. Coin tumbler from printer

   Coin aficionados and anyone else looking for a cheap way to clean coins, this hack requires just a little patience for a coin tumbler fashioned out of an old printer.

2. 2. MIDI device from a toy piano

   Programming your own MIDI device can be a doozy, but this how-to walks you through the complicated process.

3. 

   3. Dessert stand from records

   If you can get your hands on a vintage 78 RPM record, you're only a couple of steps away from fashioning this dessert stand.

   Image courtesy of Bubby and Bean.

4. 

   4. USB stick from floppy disk

   Retrofit your old floppy disks into usable storage units by turning them into a USB unit.

   Screenshot courtesy of Instructables, Analogue-Chick.

5. 5. Toaster from a VHS player

   If you have ever wanted your toast to taste more '80s, try out this toaster hack outfitted from an old VHS player.

6. 6. Tabletop saw from scanner

   Need a table-top saw? Grab your nearest scanner, or just get one on Craigslist for cheap. Then get to heavy-duty drilling.

7. 7. Pom-poms from VHS and cassette tapes

   If you have a bunch of old tapes lying around, this foolproof craft idea adds a touch of cutesy fun to your next party.

8. 

   8. Cat bed from a computer monitor

   Remember when computer monitors were big enough a cat could fit inside? Well...

   Screenshot courtesy of Instructables, AlpineButterfly.

10. 

    10. Electronic picture frame from TV monitor

    Transform a retro mid-century TV monitor into a mod, electronic backlit picture frame.

    Image courtesy of Flickr, Atomic Indy.

11. 

    11. Shredder from a printer

    Everyone probably has a clunky old printer lying around. Follow this humorous how-to to transform that dinosaur into a useful paper shredder instead.

    Screenshot courtesy of Instructables, laxap.

12. 

    12. Bowls from records

    Possibly the most popular DIY project for repurposing vinyl records, these bowls are a cinch to make, requiring minimal effort and supplies.

    Image courtesy of Flickr, Ascent Stage.

Somewhere in the depths of the attic, everyone still stores a giant, cube-shaped computer monitor from the '90s. If you have one, don't kick it to the curb just yet. There are many things you can still do with your old tech relics, such as modifying them to sound like Thom Yorke.

There are endless ways to upcycle old technology, whether that's repurposing and retrofitting it for modern use or just for a crazy DIY project.

Here are some other projects that breathe new life into outdated technology. The list includes simple ideas, like making floppy disks into USB storage units, to more complex projects for dedicated hackers, such as making a MIDI device out of a toy piano.

Homepage image courtesy of Flickr, Ufafokus.