How/where can I get hold of old, used miners?

[cloudnthings]

I'm looking to start a project where I want to go to local high schools and spread the knowledge on cryptocurrencies. More specifically I want to show them practically how mining works as a starting point. I think it is more beneficial to "do" in conjunction with listening to a whole bunch of theory.

I want to source old and hopefully inexpensive scrypt miners and supply them to schools (either free or very cheaply) so that each student can have their own little miner and learn about bitcoins/litecoins, software and hardware. My son was part of the hour of code and this is where I got the idea from.

The reason for scrypt/litecoin is that I think it will be more interesting for kids because the bitcoin hashrate is insane. At least with litecoins, they could maybe earn a few cents a day to keep their interest. (Although old btc miners would be fine as well).

Does anyone have (or know of anyone that has) old scrypt miners lying around that need a new home? Or are there websites that offer cheap old (1st gen?) miners?

Or is it the case that anyone with a miner, no matter how new or old, would have it running 24x7 themselves?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[QuintLeo]

Amazon
eBay
 long shot Craigslist, I see an occasional listing for Scrypt gear locally.

 Seems like the old GridSeed "orbs" would be a good choice for your project.

[cloudnthings]

Thanks. Appreciate it.

[merelcoin]

you could try aliexpress for dirt cheap gear... It might have a couple of dents or some dust when it arrives, and you'll probably never ROI, but it should be sufficient to give classroom demonstrations...

For example:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW-arrive-usb-bitcoin-miner-ANTMINER-U3-63GH-S-USB-miner-ASIC-miner-Bitcoin-miner-better/32415426375.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000014.9.V3qr2M&scm=1007.13338.33078.0&pvid=ede42af3-93b0-434d-96f9-85d4066dfde1&tpp=0
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Scrypt-Miner-Complete-accessories-with-Gridseed-Blade-Gridseed-Blade-Litecoin-Miner-5-2M-6M-s-In/32248238678.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.10.LZ2wxO&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_8,searchweb201602_5_10017_10021_507_10022_10020_10009_10008_10018_10019_101,searchweb201603_9&btsid=44f38e59-d1a9-47f4-adcb-8d28afc188a9
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/litecoin-miner-usb-144k-scrypt-miner-ltc-miner-All-Solution-Free-shipping/32250866910.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.157.LZ2wxO&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_8,searchweb201602_5_10017_10021_507_10022_10020_10009_10008_10018_10019_101,searchweb201603_9&btsid=44f38e59-d1a9-47f4-adcb-8d28afc188a9
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/i-Free-Shipping-Griseed-Scrypt-miner-mine-litecoin-dogcoin-asic-new-machine-BR-RU-US-ES/32248646705.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.207.LZ2wxO&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_8,searchweb201602_5_10017_10021_507_10022_10020_10009_10008_10018_10019_101,searchweb201603_9&btsid=44f38e59-d1a9-47f4-adcb-8d28afc188a9

[Unacceptable]

Whats wrong with vid card mining rigs Lots of coins to mine & make pennies a day 

Cheap & anyone can get them & mine with them.Most everyone has an decent PC in the house.

[cloudnthings]

Whats wrong with vid card mining rigs Lots of coins to mine & make pennies a day 

Cheap & anyone can get them & mine with them.Most everyone has an decent PC in the house.

Good point. Hadn't considered of that. I might go down that route as well. Reason is that part of the theory I want to demonstrate the evolution of CPU, GPU, FPGA and then the ASICs. And it seems ASICs are so common these days that it's grabbed more attention.

Cheers.

[Unacceptable]

Whats wrong with vid card mining rigs Lots of coins to mine & make pennies a day 

Cheap & anyone can get them & mine with them.Most everyone has an decent PC in the house.

Good point. Hadn't considered of that. I might go down that route as well. Reason is that part of the theory I want to demonstrate the evolution of CPU, GPU, FPGA and then the ASICs. And it seems ASICs are so common these days that it's grabbed more attention.

Cheers.

Well,ASICs will be shunned from now on I hope.I know I didn't see the end of BTC mining at home coming back in 2012 

Good luck with your teachings!! 

[jermwerty]

I have a 8 AntMiner S1s that are underclocked/volted to 140Gh 180W draw with the pencil mod.  Makes them nice and quiet also.  And they still make $0.17/day each!  (LOL)

Don't have PSUs for them, but the S1s were built like tanks and very fun/easy to work with.  I would part with them for just the cost of shipping if I knew they were going to a good cause!

[cloudnthings]

I have a 8 AntMiner S1s that are underclocked/volted to 140Gh 180W draw with the pencil mod.  Makes them nice and quiet also.  And they still make $0.17/day each!  (LOL)

Don't have PSUs for them, but the S1s were built like tanks and very fun/easy to work with.  I would part with them for just the cost of shipping if I knew they were going to a good cause!

That is awesome. Are you sure? coz they are still making money (17c lol) for you! I'm from New Zealand so do you know what shipping would be? Maybe PM me and if it's not too dear that would be really appreciated.

[sidehack]

Are stickminers an option, or are you only looking at standalone units?

[toptek]

Sense it is to promote and tech with, i do  have one Alchemist script miner board i will give you you pay shipping it does work on a rasp berry PI i will even throw in a PI with cables with 2 fans to cool it  free no PSU ,you pay shipping as long as  it's what you say its for which i will have to trust you on, that boards going price if it works is worth 200 or more im willing to give to you for teachings purposes pay shipping it's yours.   to any one else don't ask I'll sell it .

il even give what support i can to get it running they do run off of a pi now, i do it with five boards .
i have eight boards or the full miner all eight work was thinking of selling one or two boards or try to make or find a case it fits and sell it as a 28 mh miner they go for on eBay for 400 easy but if it goes to a good cause why not give one a way free .
but it's for teachings only i trust you will use it for that ?.


I want nothing in return, so don't offer, if you do i will then, so don't offer.,

Shipping to New Zealand might be a pain but i'm willing it's the customs part that gonna be the pain but the offer stands .I'll be totally honest i have never shipped one thing out of the US only bought it out of the US then had it shipped to me but im willing if you want it , let me know .

[cloudnthings]

Are stickminers an option, or are you only looking at standalone units?

That is another good point. As I am starting up, I would take anything actually. Those USB stick miners would be neat too.

[cloudnthings]

Sense it is to promote and tech with, i do  have one Alchemist script miner board i will give you you pay shipping it does work on a rasp berry PI i will even throw in a PI with cables with 2 fans to cool it  free no PSU ,you pay shipping as long as  it's what you say its for which i will have to trust you on, that boards going price if it works is worth 200 or more im willing to give to you for teachings purposes pay shipping it's yours.   to any one else don't ask I'll sell it .

il even give what support i can to get it running they do run off of a pi now, i do it with five boards .
i have eight boards or the full miner all eight work was thinking of selling one or two boards or try to make or find a case it fits and sell it as a 28 mh miner they go for on eBay for 400 easy but if it goes to a good cause why not give one a way free .
but it's for teachings only i trust you will use it for that ?.


I want nothing in return, so don't offer, if you do i will then, so don't offer.,

Shipping to New Zealand might be a pain but i'm willing it's the customs part that gonna be the pain but the offer stands .I'll be totally honest i have never shipped one thing out of the US only bought it out of the US then had it shipped to me but im willing if you want it , let me know .

Thanks a lot toptek. This is 100% for going into high schools and for learning. I've just started this project so I'm still figuring out a website and sorting out the details but I've got the general idea.

I've benefited a lot from the open source community so for me, it's all about sharing what I know to everyone else. You won't be disappointed. Just give me some time. I'll PM you if that is ok.

Thanks a lot.

[toptek]

Let me know

cya