I've had great success with melting the plastic pen.

Since then, I have opened other snes's, a new style nes, two n64s, and a sonic & knuckles cart with melted pens. Maybe you just have to get the hang of it, but I bought a ten pack of those clear pens, and have only used one so far. Maybe it's not as good as an actual bit, but if you're bored, you should probably be able to find a lighter and one of those bic plastic pens for free.

On the other hand, I did cut out a section of a flathead screwdriver, and use that to open cartridges (carts usually have smaller screws than the consoles have,) and I've probably removed and put back the pair of screws in over fifty games. Let me try my luck at ascci art:

_________
|       |
|       |
|       |
|       |
|       |
normal flathead screw bit

__    __
| |   | |
| |___| |
|       |
|       |
|       |
modified bit

I cut the section out with a handheld spinning tool with a "cut off wheel" in it, they're commonly referred to as a dremel, because that's the brand of them (even though mine's made by craftsman.) I'll try and scan in a pic of the bit and a melted pen.

Oh and by the way dumper, that cart scan on the zsnes board was of starwing :)

• Okay, here's a pic of the screw bit and my snes. Mike 14:22:39 11/21/00 (0) responses

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Message	> I have a pair of needle nose pliers that are from a dentist. I was able to get a few screws out of my snes, but some were in too tight. I eventually cut out the plastic to get it apart (I was desparate to play some import european games.) > Since then, I have opened other snes's, a new style nes, two n64s, and a sonic & knuckles cart with melted pens. Maybe you just have to get the hang of it, but I bought a ten pack of those clear pens, and have only used one so far. Maybe it's not as good as an actual bit, but if you're bored, you should probably be able to find a lighter and one of those bic plastic pens for free. > On the other hand, I did cut out a section of a flathead screwdriver, and use that to open cartridges (carts usually have smaller screws than the consoles have,) and I've probably removed and put back the pair of screws in over fifty games. Let me try my luck at ascci art: > <pre> > _________ > | | > | | > | | > | | > | | > normal flathead screw bit > > __ __ > | | | | > | |___| | > | | > | | > | | > modified bit</pre> > I cut the section out with a handheld spinning tool with a "cut off wheel" in it, they're commonly referred to as a dremel, because that's the brand of them (even though mine's made by craftsman.) I'll try and scan in a pic of the bit and a melted pen. > Oh and by the way dumper, that cart scan on the zsnes board was of starwing :)
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