Opening up carts

[MaxSpeed]

Is there a way to open a cart without destroying them ?

I have some with rattles I would like to fix

[CPUWIZ]

I presume you mean without destroying the label, there is a way to remove labels without destroying them if you are very careful. You can use a heat-gun used for shrinktubing etc. to apply a little heat to the label and then carefully lift one edge and peel it back until you see the screw.

 

It doesn't always work, it depends on the make and condition of the cart.

[Nukey Shay]

Yes, you would need to get the label off to get at the the screw. There's a thread around here that details what you should use...

[MaxSpeed]

Having never peeled off the label, I did not know there is a screw ! Well the heatgun and screw driver are coming out this weekend and I will finally find the source of my ratteling carts ! Thanx !

[Nukey Shay]

Be very careful if you want the label to remain in good shape. Peeling them back can crack the color off if the angle that you peel from is too sharp. Here's that thread...

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/viewtopic.p...8036&highlight=

 

The rattling noise is usually caused from bits of plastic left over from the injection-mold tool and not trimmed off completely (flash). These bits eventually can work loose. They could also be one of the small plastic clasps molded along the edges of the cart (that holds the cart together). If the cart had pressure put on it at some point, one of these could have broken off inside. Neither pose a threat to the circuit board or game...so removing them is not really necessary.

 

If you do open a cart...be sure to do it slowly to see how the door hinge functions. These can be tricky to put back.

[Paul Slocum]

One other method is to cut a small X in the label just over the screw with an X-acto knife. Then peel back the corners and remove the screw. When you're done, put the screw back and glue the corners back down to the screw (sometimes with a little pad beneath them.) It's not perfect, but the cuts are not very noticable.

 

There are some types and/or condition of labels that you can't peel without ruining them even with the heat. Especially the older Atari labels that are made of a sort of vinyl.

 

-Paul

[Nukey Shay]

Even if you do that...you might get a crease in the end label (that will remove color) if the cart is opened all the way. Just open it slightly and see if the rattly bits fall out.