Cracking Open Famicom Carts

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Zoldark
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Cracking Open Famicom Carts

Post by Zoldark »

I didn't know where to put this but does anyone have Methods or Tips for opening Famicom Cartridges?

Like how do you open them with out breaking them?

Do you use any specialized tools?

I have watched this video here and I have one those tools but last time I tried that it still broke my cart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgCiAOmgeFc
Don't buy FamicomNes games WillyNilly Check the Mapper first
https://www.nesdev.org/wiki/Mapper
https://nescartdb.com/
I feel like I said something wrong even if I didn't I don't know for sure and I always feel bad about it.
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Ben Boldt
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Re: Cracking Open Famicom Carts

Post by Ben Boldt »

That's really the best way to open them. I use a plastic spudger instead of a screwdriver. In what way did your cartridge break? Did the internal tabs break off or something else?

When I do it, I find that you want to increase the clamping force in order to decrease the prying force. I am aggressive with the clamp and very careful with the prying. You definitely want the plastic to bend, at least doubling the gap where the circuit board sticks through if possible. Eventually it should just pop open if you clamp hard enough and wiggle the spudger around enough. I have broken a mindkids pirate cart but I don't think I have ever broken a real cart.

Some carts have a post in the center that just simply will not let go. (Maybe made by Namco I think?) You will know that is happening if you run into it. I don't have any non-destructive tips for those ones.
Zoldark
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Re: Cracking Open Famicom Carts

Post by Zoldark »

I had thought as much, but when I tried it last time I broke off one the tabs that snaps the cart back together, I actually think my quick grip may be too small and I probably need a larger size as mine barely fits on a Cart and I have to force it. Mine barely stretches to 5 and 1/4 inches at max with the tabs removed which is like almost the exact size of a Famicom cart. I think it was supposed to be a 6 inch quick grip but the actual size that it extends to isn't 6 inches.

I'm going order a 12 inch one and probably one those plastic spudger's too, before I try it again, Thank you.
Don't buy FamicomNes games WillyNilly Check the Mapper first
https://www.nesdev.org/wiki/Mapper
https://nescartdb.com/
I feel like I said something wrong even if I didn't I don't know for sure and I always feel bad about it.
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Ziggy587
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Re: Cracking Open Famicom Carts

Post by Ziggy587 »

I always open them with a Quick Grip, but I only use my fingers to pry them apart. I squeeze the clamp until it starts to bow, then I'll use my fingers to pull it apart on one side. If I can't, then I squeeze the clamp a little more until I can. I pop ONE tab out from just ONE side. After you get one tab off, it's easy to get the rest of the cart apart.

Maye the one that you broke, that particular cart became brittle somehow? I know when plastic yellows it becomes brittle and extremely easy to break. I don't know if Famicom carts can become this way.
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rainwarrior
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Re: Cracking Open Famicom Carts

Post by rainwarrior »

I've had some success opening them with the squeeze clamp method. Usually it works well, but I think with some carts the tabs are going to break no matter how careful you are with it. Also, sometimes I discover a cart that has been repaired in the past, this way... which tends to break the repair and/or more of the cart, if they e.g. glued the cart back together.
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