The disk was 99% recoverable - Cost me $500.

Cost is not an issue - There are teardowns of 8 machines that are required for re assembly. There's no way I can re assemble A Superman or Bow and Arrow without photos !

The Tech told me to keep away from Seagate and Western Digital Drives. They are cheap and nasty. Buy Hitachi where possible, but his ultimate recommendation was to buy Solid State Drives.