D.M. Procida wrote:
One of the control on my children's Etch-a-Sketch is broken - the knob
rotates, but I can feel that it's not connected to anything.

I'm sure it's simple to repair, but it's going to be difficult to get
in without breaking it.

It has one of those 1970s plastic item constructions, with the front
and back halves thoroughly affixed together, presumably with some
kind of cement that has welded them together.

In my experience of such things, trying to separate the halves
invariably seems to result in breaking something irreparably.

Any suggestions on how to proceed for the least damage?

Daniele

In a word, don't. I think it's powdered aluminium inside but it spreads and
sticks to everything like fingerprinting powder. Even if you do get it
open, you'll be lucky to get it well sealed again and reasonably proof
against bursting open if it's dropped.

Tim