"Jim Elbrecht" wrote in message
...
"Robert Green" wrote:
-snip-

The case looked like it was "welded" - there were no screws and the seam
was
very tight. So I drilled an 3/16" hole in the top of the case to blow air
into, thinking that would force it out the tiny space around the plug
blades
and the cord strain relief.

I pressed the conical rubber tip of my air compressor to the hole and
fired
away. The next thing I felt was like a hammer blow to my thumb which was
holding the small power supply. The blast of air had literally blown the
bottom of the supply "clean off." Well, it wasn't clean - every plastic
tab
that held the lid on cracked. Beware the power of compressed air. It
probably could have been much worse and I wasn't even wearing my face
shield. (-: At least now I know how to take the other identical power
supplies apart because I know where the secret tabs are.

Cool-- That's the first thing I'm going to try [with proper
precautions, of course. . . if I remember] next time I need to figure
out how to disassemble a puzzler.

I've opened many a wall wart but this, by far, was the fastest, cleanest
removal I've ever done. Next one will be in a vise, inside a bag with my
face shield on, though. Doubt it would work on something not well sealed,
either. I'll have to post some pictures. It was a remarkably clean "bust"
open.

I suppose I should have realized a device that can operate hammers, saws,
nailers, etc. could develop explosive compression under the right
circumstances. Now I'll be more careful and respectful of my air
compressor.

To see the awesome power of compressed air- refer to Mr. wizard's soda
bottle rockets. [Couldn't find his-- but youtube is full of some
water powered rocket videos-- some more 'cautionary tale's than
others.g]

I do remember Mr. Wizard and soda bottle rockets. Although that was not on
my mind when I stuck the nozzle in the hole (a very tight fight between the
rubber cone and the hole I drilled). If I had set the regulator dial back a
bit, I think I could have forced the air out without the case blowing apart.
My thumb's swelling up just a little. It was a very impressive thunk.
Nowhere near as bad as an M-80 that exploded in my fingers once (that was
Pillsbury Doughboy-type swelling), but pretty surprising nevertheless. The
kind of thunk you get when you forget to pierce a boil-in bag that's in the
microwave.

--
Bobby G.