this post was submitted on 16 Nov 2023
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Do-It-Yourself, Repairs and Fixes

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Share tips and tricks to keep people from throwing out that broken item. Repair before replace!

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I just got this keyboard for free because a few parts on the PCB need to be replaced.

But I have trouble getting it open because one of the screws has been completely mangled:

The screw sits directly under this spot:

But that's also exactly where there is a PCB inside that I don't want to ruin by not being careful.

The things where the screw is in looks like this: Bottom: Top:

I hope maybe someone has an idea how to get it open without destroying the PCB which is very close to it.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Those deep holes in plastic parts are always the worst. If you have a dremel you have 2 options. Either cut away enough of the top plastic that you can get at the screw to dremel a slot into the top, and unscrew it with a flathead screwdriver. Alternatively you could try dremel just below the head of the screw to cut the screw in half.

if you have a soldering iron you could also try heating the screw to melt the boss it's screwed into. You might have to cut/melt away plastic to access the screw and then apply light rension while heating so that it opens once the screw is hot enough.

[–] Hellstormy 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't have a dremel, but I have a soldering iron. Just melting the plastic around the screw by heating it might really work. I will definitely try that!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

You could try soldering a bit to the screw and hope the solder is stronger than the grip of the plastic?