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"Those damn front bezels ! " - A retrospective on materials that shatter just by looking at them
Posted by: Pushpull76 on 2022-09-24 08:57:56
As you can understand from the title, it has happened to me several times to damage the lateral wings of the front bezels of various macs (series 840, 8100, etc) simply by disassembling them and not doing any particular force. I think the reason is the type of plastic used for the components (after so many years, the plastic seems to be crystallized). Do you follow a particular method to repair them (a special glue, etc) ?
Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2022-09-24 09:02:08
I use Plastruct Plastic Weld whenever I accidentally look at one of my PowerBook’s screw standoffs funny and it decides to shatter. It works pretty well.
Posted by: joshc on 2022-09-24 09:41:24


Abs cement

Have several broken studs on Powerbooks 1xx screen covers. At some point tried to fix with different methods, so far never worked permanently. i know a 3D repair file is available but have no access to material. i tried JB weld or equivalent, super glue…nothing is really bonding to the...
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Posted by: Trash80toHP_Mini on 2022-09-24 10:44:59
I've often been tempted to use a hair dryer to heat up the plastics before reinstalling. Using it on 6100, LC, IIsi case tabs concern me most, no fixing those. Plasticisers break down/leach out over the years.
Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2022-09-24 10:48:31
@Trash80toHP_Mini
I've seen that method used in a 65scibe video, and it seemed to work out great for him when disassembling a PM 8100 (or similar) machine.

Also, how convenient that this is my 840th post, talking about the 840av case design.
Posted by: Pushpull76 on 2022-09-24 11:52:49
This is a front bezel for a Dat unit, for a 840av. Arrived 2 days ago, it was broken during the shipment.
For now, I tried a cyanoacrylate glue. It seems strong, I need to check when in the right place.



IMG_8360.JPG
Posted by: Pushpull76 on 2022-09-24 11:58:40
@Trash80toHP_Mini
Also, how convenient that this is my 840th post, talking about the 840av case design.
It seems strange, but I created the thread just for that. ☕
Posted by: Nathan_A on 2022-10-05 14:27:04
I use acetone and a very tiny brush to carefully "weld" the broken pieces together. I've tried tons of other solutions and this is the only one that has produced good results for me so far. It is however also higher risk because of it drips onto a visible surface of the plastic elsewhere it will be permanently defaced.
Posted by: Byrd on 2022-10-05 15:03:48
I sit things in the sun before taking apart now, especially if I know things have broken before. Never crack open a case in the cold!
Posted by: joshc on 2022-10-23 20:02:59
I sit things in the sun before taking apart now, especially if I know things have broken before. Never crack open a case in the cold!
In the colder climates...another way is a bit of time with a hairdryer on the plastics beforehand just to warm things up, then there's less chance of anything snapping. I do this with the very fragile tabs on 610/6100 cases.
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