You need bigger tools. An 8+ pound sledge hammer. Just be sure the smashing happens on concrete or any hard flat surface. Hit the area where the platters would be. Should only take 1 - 3 hits a piece. Once you hear sand inside you’re done.

My 30lb sledge delete drives in one hit usually. Turns the platters back into dust lol.

Patience, and knowing when to look for documentation. Keep notes of stuff as you go. Just like in real IT, documentation can go a long way. Forgetting simple things can cause everything to fall apart at some point.