Alternative case opening tools

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DavidF

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I've been trying to source different case opening tools, most are average at best.
There is an artist's supply a few doors up from one of my hardware suppliers so I went in and bought these before Christmas:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26333932@N06/6754599497/in/photostream
and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26333932@N06/6754597807/in/photostream

Money well spent, especially the straight edge spatula type.
They are called palette knives.
With the added bonus that when you are burnt out from fixing computers you can help silence the voices in your head by using them for their original purpose of mashing colours into disturbing images.
 
Might I also suggest:

curved_claw_hammer.jpg


and

A4crowba.jpg
 
degresh said:
I use the Pro Tech Base Toolkit. It comes with a quality spudger amongst and those metal spatula thingies.


link: http://www.ifixit.com/Tools/Pro-Tech-Base-Toolkit/IF145-072-1
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$60!! :eek:
(I appreciate its a full kit, my full kit was about £15!)

I still use the £1 nylon phone/laptop openers from ebay, They're used most days and I only change them every 6 months, and ive only ever broken 1 (and that was a £5 apple spudger!!)
 
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I use an old credit card or fingernails. Every spudger I've tried goes dull after the first case I use it on. I can almost guarantee the metal ones will leave tool marks.
 
Lots of good suggestions. Also guitar picks work well and are cheap to replace. Sorry Corbin beat me to it.
 
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tempusfugit said:
I use an old credit card or fingernails. Every spudger I've tried goes dull after the first case I use it on. I can almost guarantee the metal ones will leave tool marks.
Click to expand...


It never occurred to me to use old credit cards, but now that you say it, it's obvious. Fairly sturdy, free, can be cut into custom shapes. Good idea!
 
Just looking at the pictures, I wouldn't have guessed they'd be strong enough for prying & twisting inside a stubborn laptop case or bezel.

For those of us not lucky enough to live near an art supply store, they're $7.17 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Reeves-Paintin...3&sr=8-1-spell
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The plastic ones are of unknown worth, I bought them just to give them a whirl.
The metal ones are quite flexible and won't readily bend, although I did bend one on a real PITA case but it straightened with only a barely visible deformity. They also come in lots of shapes and sizes. The straight handled spatula type is great for separating cases, the trowel shape is good for keyboards.
I've used credit cards, fingernails and plectrums too, I'm just offering options to the mix.
I use the Pro Tech Base Toolkit. It comes with a quality spudger amongst and those metal spatula thingies.


link: http://www.ifixit.com/Tools/Pro-Tech...it/IF145-072-1
Click to expand...
I'd happily buy just one or two items from that kit
 
I just use my finger and/or finger-nail. No damage to the case, always handy and if damaged self mending. There also absolutely free.

So far I've never damaged any of them but if I did I could just wipe the case clean. :rolleyes:

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
 
altrenda said:
How about this. A bargain for only $18!

http://www.amazon.com/MicroSparepar...NW/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1327511368&sr=8-10

11QzN2K0MQL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
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Kinda heavy on the price....

Here is what I have http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-351-Premium-Celluloid-Guitar-Picks-101290070-i1123750.gc

I don't play sadly, but I Have the thin and medium set. can't beat a price for less then $15 for 24 picks. I have gotten a good chunk of mileage out of them all. I may even get rocksmith for my xbox so I can use them for their intended use :D
 
16k_zx81 said:
I also swear by having a stack of guitar picks handy. Different thicknesses for different jobs, and cheap to replace.
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Both my sons play electric guitars so I have plenty! I also bought them a guitar pick punch tool that makes picks out of ccards, or any thin plastic.
 
ScarletPathos said:
Both my sons play electric guitars so I have plenty! I also bought them a guitar pick punch tool that makes picks out of ccards, or any thin plastic.
Click to expand...

Nice! Yeah, guitar picks work great. It's nice to have a few different ones (different thicknesses) for different types of cases/laptops/etc.
 
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