Videos on how to open tricky device cases/enclosures

[Hogwild]

Hi:

I don't think I'm the only one that has come across enclosures/cases that are tricky to open. You know, like the ones with the tabs that interlock with another part of the case. Sometimes, I can open those things and other times I may break a portion of the plastic enclosure or tabs. I find the smaller cases especially hard to open without breaking anything.

Can anyone suggest a Youtube video or two, or at least which search terms I can use to learn how to do this better?


Thanks.

[CatalinaWOW]

I find general advise on these pretty useless.  Use a search string like, "opening 'Brand' 'Model Name' and 'Model Number'".  If you are lucky someone has made a video of opening it, and they are not long winded enough that you fall asleep while watching.  If unlucky search on other similar models from the same brand.  You might get some insight into the style that that company uses.  Beyond that obtain strong thin tools and be very, very careful.

[tggzzz]

It rather depends on the case!

Try using a spudger similar to https://www.amazon.co.uk/ACENIX-Opening-Opener-Spudger-Scraper/dp/B01EQM25JQ

[AndyC_772]

iFixit have some good tutorials. I've also found some of the tools in their 'Pro Tech' tool kit very useful for opening products that probably were never designed to be serviced.

[themadhippy]

opening them is easy,the tricky part is opening things in a way that they can be reused.

[AndyBeez]

Whether you're using a British spudger or a pry tool, opening enclosures is black art. Even using every plastic or stainless pry tool available, some shut lines will stay shut.

The guys over at https://www.ifixit.com have a few features on tricky enclosures, such as how not to break an iPhone or an iMac screen when ripping off the screen - which is so thoughlessly glued on by Apple's genius design engineers. Ifixit will even sell you the toolsets required.

As for snap together cases, they always snap their clasps when pulled apart. Some enclosures were never meant to be opened for safety; such as power bricks that are sonic or accetone welded. For pry tool read Dremel/file/saw/hammer/house brick.

Of late, this has been my GOTO pry tool. It's sharp on the edges, but not to hard to dint the plastic and, offers good leverage. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283989799200

[wraper]

You need to search for video instructions specific to particular device. You can learn how to open devices in general but you won't know pitfalls for specific devices. For example there may be some wifi antenna located under the edge of touchscreen which you can easily damage when separating it with spudger. Knowing where exactly hooks are located also is critical for opening without causing damage.

[tggzzz]

opening them is easy,the tricky part is opening things in a way that they can be reused.

True

The last thing I opened was an obsolete box on a wall. I used a 3lb mallet quite successfully!

[Hogwild]

Currently, the device I'm trying to open is a Netgear 5G Router/hotspot. But after 45 mins. of trying, I can only get 3 corners out of four of the case pried up. One corner refuses to budge. I can't find any hidden screws, so...dont' know what to do next.

There are no videos or other resources for disassembling this unit on the Web.

[Infraviolet]

Remove all sticky labels, incase any are covering screws. Try running a sharp, but non-conductive, "blade" of some sort right around the crack between casing parts which you've been trying to follow.

[AndyBeez]

You can make plastic blades for feeling around cases from cut up plastic bottles. What model of Netgear is this? It's probably held on by a clasp. Wiggle it

[Jeff eelcr]

Sometimes manufactures use screws and glue, sometimes there are tricks like
a Bose SCR receiver or any Pearlcorder unit.
Maybe they have videos now.
Jeff

[Hogwild]

You folks were right. There was a hidden screw. It was a b!tch to find. But once I found it, the router opened surprisingly easily.

Thanks for the advice.