I've just been taking apart yet another gadget that looks like it has 4 big
screws securing the case, only it doesn't. The case is also held down by
the dreaded hidden plastic clips, the sort you need 15 flathead screwdrivers
to pry open and usually end up breaking some.

I'm sure there must be a better way. Sometimes I've used a cake slice for
trying to flip a row of clips at once... but it still damages the plastic.
They must do this sort of thing regularly at the factory... is there a
proper tool for it?

Cheers,
Theo

On 10/06/2011 21:05, Theo Markettos wrote:
I've just been taking apart yet another gadget that looks like it has 4 big
screws securing the case, only it doesn't. The case is also held down by
the dreaded hidden plastic clips, the sort you need 15 flathead screwdrivers
to pry open and usually end up breaking some.

I'm sure there must be a better way. Sometimes I've used a cake slice for
trying to flip a row of clips at once... but it still damages the plastic.
They must do this sort of thing regularly at the factory... is there a
proper tool for it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spudger

You'll probably still need 15 of them ...

--
Adrian C

Theo Markettos wrote:

I've just been taking apart yet another gadget that looks like it has 4
big
screws securing the case, only it doesn't. The case is also held down by
the dreaded hidden plastic clips, the sort you need 15 flathead
screwdrivers to pry open and usually end up breaking some.

I'm sure there must be a better way. Sometimes I've used a cake slice for
trying to flip a row of clips at once... but it still damages the plastic.
They must do this sort of thing regularly at the factory... is there a
proper tool for it?

Cheers,
Theo

I use guitar plectrums, only a few pence each and you rarely need more then
two,to open most plastic casings like laptops.



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En el artículo , Theo Markettos
escribió:

They must do this sort of thing regularly at the factory... is there a
proper tool for it?

Toshiba used to supply a tool to dealers called a T-wedge. It was a
plastic tool used for popping apart the hidden catches on laptops
without damaging the case plastic. It's essentially a T-shaped tool with
a bevelled curve on the upper part of the T. Can post a pic somewhere
if you want.

The key is to get the first catch open - once you've done that, you can
run a (strong) thumbnail or a piece of plastic around the join to pop
the other catches. An old credit card works.

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