Computer fasteners (was Re: Apple Lisa 1)

From: jpero_at_sympatico.ca <(jpero_at_sympatico.ca)>
Date: Thu Nov 13 18:31:35 2003

> > Actually, one thing that really annoys me is 'quick release' clips that
> > break when you undo them (some plastic cases are well-known for these,
> > I
> > think there's an IBM printer with exactly 1 screw in the entire
> > machine..). They're a lot harder to repair than replacing a screw....
> >
> > -tony

Ian wrote:

>
> Those plastic clips annoy me too. There are a lot of things that
> rely almost entirely on little plastic tabs to hold them together

I have no problem with plastic snaps and latches. I have to deal
with it daily through course of repairing TV's, monitors etc at our
shop. Dull small flat screwdriver usually small cheap plastic handle
w/ strong 3" long steel flat blade, appox 2mm wide, sharp edges all
worn round to vague shape of a tip and a medium chemist's steel
(stainless steel?) labware spatula w/ vinyl dip coated handle. The
blade tip is rounded like blunt dinner knife instead of straight edge
and strong enough to resist bending when prying hard. All edges is
dull not to catch on the plastic too much. The blade width is such
that it's narrow enough to fit through slot opening to push in the
internal catch like on samsung 750S, 753DF etc monitors models and
also use this tool to pry both halves, pry large plastic hook apart
etc.

I have yet to break any plastic catches unless it was already
fadiged from damage, abuse or age. Oh yeah that one screw IBM
snap together dot matrix printers, that's was really clever design!
These is one of those are not a problem for me to work on them.

The major killers is the remotes! I had bad time getting halves
apart without breaking at least one hook, my hands isn't strong
enough to squeeze hard or out of fear especially crushing it and
splintering it.

What I like is quality japanese screws like usually used on
Panasonics, JVC etc, and designed in a way it comes apart easily and
enough wire lengths to extend out to flip the board over to probe for
signals. RCA and few others was great except for certain items. So
not all are 100% perfect.

Cheers,

Wizard
Received on Thu Nov 13 2003 - 18:31:35 GMT