Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Cleanroom Design, Built and Operation

I had two hard disks that crashed. I had some important data in that I need to retrieve. I called the data recovery companies and their quotes were quite expensive. I am wondering if I can build a cleanroom myself to fix those disks or rent a cleanroom to fix that.

I would appreciate to know the following things:

1. How do I design, build and operate a cleanroom?
2. If that is quite expensive, Can I rent a cleanroom somewhere and get some help from someone to fix the hard disk and retrieve the data.

Your response will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sanjoy Rath
Hobbyist - Atlanta, Georgia, USA
November 8, 2010

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Hi, Sanjoy

Most people seem to feel that the best approach to a cleanroom is to have stages leading towards it, that is, to build a Class 100 cleanroom inside a generally clean area of a shop, and then to install a Class 10,000 booth or area within the general cleanroom. But it is possible to build a modular cleanroom in an otherwise exposed area. I doubt that a hobbyist would find it practical to install a cleanroom or rent a portable, but you can get a copy of Cleanroom Technology magazine and see if you can find a portable unit, or rent space in one. Probably, though, your time would be better spent trying to get a better price on the data recovery service.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
November 8, 2010

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November 9, 2010

Hi Sanjoy

I suspect that you could buy very many hard drives for the cost of a conventional cleanroom.

The "hobby" version is a clean new clear plastic bag. Two holes for your hands and a friend to tape them in. Because the bag is small it will contain very little dust without special filtering.

It takes some planning to get all the tools in the bag before you start.

Tie the neck of the bag twice with a gap between and use this as an "airlock" to get bits in and out.

It is also useful to have a friend at hand to reach the bits you forgot and to scratch your nose when it itches - it always does as soon as you get taped in.

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England

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Thanks, Geoff, that was great.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
November 10, 2010

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Unless you are in the data recovery business, the clean room is only a start. I agree with Ted. Find a cheaper source for recovery. It does not have to be local.
Remember, when you go cheap, cheap quality is normally what you get. High priced can be bad also, but with careful questioning, you should be able to reasonably avoid that.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
November 9, 2010