Repair an Etch-a-Sketch

D.M. Procida

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Jan 16, 2011, 4:33:00 PM1/16/11

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One of the control on my children's Etch-a-Sketch is broken - the knob
rotates, but I can feel that it's not connected to anything.

I'm sure it's simple to repair, but it's going to be difficult to get in
without breaking it.

It has one of those 1970s plastic item constructions, with the front and
back halves thoroughly affixed together, presumably with some kind of
cement that has welded them together.

In my experience of such things, trying to separate the halves
invariably seems to result in breaking something irreparably.

Any suggestions on how to proceed for the least damage?

Daniele

brass monkey

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Jan 16, 2011, 5:21:39 PM1/16/11

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"D.M. Procida" <real-not-anti...@apple-juice.co.uk> wrote in
message
news:1jv7i97.1bh8tu5n4xevtN%real-not-anti...@apple-juice.co.uk...

Ł12 at amazon -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flair-310-Classic-Etch-Sketch/dp/B000E69YJI/ref=sr_1_1?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1295216441&sr=1-1

Andrew Gabriel

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Jan 16, 2011, 5:37:30 PM1/16/11

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In article <1jv7i97.1bh8tu5n4xevtN%real-not-anti...@apple-juice.co.uk>,

real-not-anti...@apple-juice.co.uk (D.M. Procida) writes:
> One of the control on my children's Etch-a-Sketch is broken - the knob
> rotates, but I can feel that it's not connected to anything.
>
> I'm sure it's simple to repair, but it's going to be difficult to get in
> without breaking it.
>
> It has one of those 1970s plastic item constructions, with the front and
> back halves thoroughly affixed together, presumably with some kind of
> cement that has welded them together.

I have visions of that sticky silver dust (whatever it is) going
everywhere...

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

Dave Liquorice

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Jan 16, 2011, 5:36:50 PM1/16/11

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On Sun, 16 Jan 2011 21:33:00 +0000, D.M. Procida wrote:

> It has one of those 1970s plastic item constructions, with the front and
> back halves thoroughly affixed together, presumably with some kind of
> cement that has welded them together.
>
> In my experience of such things, trying to separate the halves
> invariably seems to result in breaking something irreparably.

A sharp triming knife blade, patience and not forcing anything too
much can normally get most things open without excessive damage.
Close examination and probing may well find a weak spot in the join
into which you can work the trimming knife blade. After that working
the blade slowly along the join with twisting action to open the
joint, not cut through, should get it apart. You may have to work
from several weak spots.

The recent new retro-copies of these classic toys are never as well
made as the orginals.

--
Cheers
Dave.

D.M. Procida

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Jan 16, 2011, 6:00:39 PM1/16/11

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Andrew Gabriel <and...@cucumber.demon.co.uk> wrote:

> In article
> <1jv7i97.1bh8tu5n4xevtN%real-not-anti...@apple-juice.co.uk>,
> real-not-anti...@apple-juice.co.uk (D.M. Procida) writes:
> > One of the control on my children's Etch-a-Sketch is broken - the knob
> > rotates, but I can feel that it's not connected to anything.
> >
> > I'm sure it's simple to repair, but it's going to be difficult to get in
> > without breaking it.
> >
> > It has one of those 1970s plastic item constructions, with the front and
> > back halves thoroughly affixed together, presumably with some kind of
> > cement that has welded them together.
>
> I have visions of that sticky silver dust (whatever it is) going
> everywhere...

Powdered mercury, probably. Or asbestos.

Daniele

John

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Jan 16, 2011, 6:03:15 PM1/16/11

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"Andrew Gabriel" <and...@cucumber.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:igvrva$mfn$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

And a bloody gash in your hand leaving blood as well as the silver dust all
over your carpet.

John

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Jan 16, 2011, 6:06:56 PM1/16/11

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"Andrew Gabriel" <and...@cucumber.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:igvrva$mfn$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

And a bloody gash in your hand leaving blood as well as the silver dust all
over your carpet.

John

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Jan 16, 2011, 6:03:15 PM1/16/11

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"Andrew Gabriel" <and...@cucumber.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:igvrva$mfn$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

And a bloody gash in your hand leaving blood as well as the silver dust all
over your carpet.

John

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Jan 16, 2011, 6:08:21 PM1/16/11

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"John" <Who90...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:CSKYo.47634$645....@newsfe04.ams2...

Sorry - PC / Server problem

Skipweasel

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Jan 16, 2011, 6:12:44 PM1/16/11

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In article <MTKYo.137168$SY....@newsfe06.ams2>,
Who90...@ntlworld.com says...

> Sorry - PC / Server problem
>

Trouble with the photocopier in the Tardis again?

--
Skipweasel - never knowingly understood.

brass monkey

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Jan 16, 2011, 6:17:51 PM1/16/11

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"John" <Who90...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message

news:MTKYo.137168$SY....@newsfe06.ams2...

I thought you were predicting the number of gashes ;)

Tim Downie

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Jan 17, 2011, 6:15:55 AM1/17/11

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In a word, don't. I think it's powdered aluminium inside but it spreads and
sticks to everything like fingerprinting powder. Even if you do get it
open, you'll be lucky to get it well sealed again and reasonably proof
against bursting open if it's dropped.

Tim