I just finished replacing the hinges and keyboard on my laptop. It was basically unusable before (thus the lack of build threads), but is working now.
Nothing like a little DIY gumption and 30 bucks worth of parts to take something that might have been trash and make it usuable.
I know the feeling. I've been saving my laptop from the grave for a couple of years now with a bit of DIY. Feels good to know I've kept it from the landfill for the time being and saved myself the money of buying a new one. Congrats!