March 27th, 2026, 6:48
Hello everyone,
I am looking for a head replacement tool/comb for a one-time private recovery on an old Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9 (80GB).
It’s been sitting in my drawer for 15 years and likely contains old family photos.
The Project:
Model: Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9.
Issue: Blown preamp on the original head stack.
Status: I have a matching donor drive and I am experienced in SMD soldering (I’ve already harvested the preamp from the donor).
Goal: I need a tool to safely lift/park the heads without dragging them over the platters.
The Request:
Since this is a one-off "black box" recovery (I don't know the exact value of the data), buying a brand-new professional kit (like HDD Surgery) is out of my budget.
I am looking to buy a used tool or rent/borrow one for a fee plus a security deposit. I am based in Germany (EU shipping preferred).
If you have an old Maxtor-compatible head tool or a suitable DIY solution lying around that you'd be willing to part with or lend, please let me know.
Thank you!
March 27th, 2026, 10:58
No Idea on how to rent one or anyone that would lend you one, but you could try 3D Printing one....
https://opensource-data-recovery-tools.com/hardware.php
March 31st, 2026, 13:27
Thanks for the tip, but I don't think these 3D-printed parts would help me.
The problem with this hard drive is that you have to mechanically lift the heads to move them over the platters.
I probably wouldn't be able to work neatly with these tools. But thanks anyway for the tip.