24 Sep
2007
24 Sep
'07
2:51 p.m.
Tony:
My preferred method is to place the Mac face-down on a towel (to avoid scratching), and
then give the sides a good whack with the palms of both hands. This will split the case
right open with a very satisfying "PHLOOMPH!" type of sound.
,xtG
tsooJ
Can someone
point me to somewhere where I can get a case cracker of some
sort? I don't think I'm going to score an official Apple one, so I'll
settle for one that looks like the one on this page:
I've heard the term 'case cracker' or 'Mac cracker' applied to 2
different tools : A long TX15 Torx driver to fit the screws in the
handle of classic Macs; and a thing to fit in the groove between the
front and hack parts of the case to force them apart after you've removed
the screws.
For the formsr, the Xcellite System 99 drivers work well. You need a
handle, X5 extension and TX15 blade (the parts should all be available
separately, you don't need to buy a set). With the extension, the tool is
long enoguh to easily remove those screwsm and the blade itself is long
enough so that the joint between it and the extension bar is in the
larger part of the handle.
For the latter, I've always found that if you remove the battery cover
(needed to get at one of the screws), you can press on the battery and
the I/O connectors to get the case free.. 
24 Sep
24 Sep
4:48 p.m.
there are these spring-clamp things you can get at
Home Depot or hardware stores, possibly even Walmart
(kind of doubt that though). They usually have bright
orange rubber slip on handles. That's the tool of
choice as far as the older books go (Larry Pina,..).
You could even put some clear packing tape around the
ends if you're worried about marring the case.
The bigger problem there is getting a long enough
torx implement (T-15? Don't quote me there) to get the
screws out. It could be a good idea to search for
suitable phillips (+) head replacements in the event
you lose that blooming thing.
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25 Sep
25 Sep
1:36 p.m.
You don't need much to get a classic Mac open. You can
very easily make a long-handled torx driver suitable
for taking apart Macs.
You need:
T-15 torx bit
Bic round stic ballpoint pen
Hexagonal pencil (new/unsharpened)
Take the ink cartridge and the end stop out of the pen
leaving a plastic tube. Firmly insert the Torx bit
into one end of the pen, and the pencil into the other
end. They will wedge into the pliable pen barrel
plastic and stay firmly. This combination is long
enough to remove all the torx screws from the recessed
bits of the Mac. If you want a longer handle - cut the
eraser end off the pencil and attach another pen
barrel.
As stupid as this sounds, it actually works.
To get the case apart after all the screws are out -
first make sure all the screws are out. (There is one
behind the battery door on the Mac/512/Plus). I always
just gently banged on the case near the seam with the
heel of my hand, and used my fingers to pull the case
apart there. It's not hard, and most of the time, it
will come off easily - especially if the computer has
been taken apart before. I never needed a case
cracker.
-Ian
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