Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: mrclean on May 14, 2008, 09:28:04 pm

Title: Does anyone know where i can buy a 3.8mm NES Tool to open games locally not ebay
Post by: mrclean on May 14, 2008, 09:28:04 pm
Looking for the security tool bit / screwdriver key to open up my old NES games where can i buy this item locally other than ebay, i already tried home depot, and radio shack
Title: Re: Does anyone know where i can buy a 3.8mm NES Tool to open games locally not
Post by: Hoopz on May 14, 2008, 09:33:05 pm
Do you have Harbor Freight close to you?  What type of bit do you need?  Security torx or ___?  If you have an Ace Hardware close, try them also.  I found what I needed there which surprised me.
Title: Re: Does anyone know where i can buy a 3.8mm NES Tool to open games locally not ebay
Post by: mrclean on May 14, 2008, 09:59:46 pm
looks like this : (http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8039/gamebit381uw2.jpg)
Title: Re: Does anyone know where i can buy a 3.8mm NES Tool to open games locally not ebay
Post by: Mr. Gone on May 15, 2008, 12:19:16 am
I remember a few years ago the place to get them locally was Sears. Not sure if that's still the case.
Title: Re: Does anyone know where i can buy a 3.8mm NES Tool to open games locally not ebay
Post by: mrclean on May 15, 2008, 12:23:57 am
I'm near a sears / and ace maybe i'll give them a shot tomorrow
Title: Re: Does anyone know where i can buy a 3.8mm NES Tool to open games locally not ebay
Post by: Ken Layton on May 15, 2008, 12:33:37 am
I doubt you will find that tool locally.

MCM Electronics (www.mcmelectronics.com) has the correct tool as their stock number 22-1145.
Title: Re: Does anyone know where i can buy a 3.8mm NES Tool to open games locally not ebay
Post by: mrclean on May 15, 2008, 12:41:30 am
I doubt you will find that tool locally.

MCM Electronics (www.mcmelectronics.com) has the correct tool as their stock number 22-1145.
- Out of stock.

Ace hardware has a 33 bit set for 14.99 / and a 100 bit set for 18.99 i hope the one i need is in one of those sets

sears i couldnt find it online, may have it in the store though
Title: Re: Does anyone know where i can buy a 3.8mm NES Tool to open games locally not
Post by: Franco B on May 15, 2008, 03:13:08 am
I dont know what diamter the hole is that the screw is in but you should be able to use the biro trick.

Heat a biro up (or something plastic just big enough to fit down the hole) with a lighter etc until the plastic is molten and then jam the pen etc down the hole and over the screw. Wait for a few minutes for the plastic to set and then you should be able to unscrew the screw.

You may be able to use your new biro 'tool' to unscrew other NES games or you may have to melt the plastic for each one. If the screws are too solid this may not work but its worth a try before you go and spend any money. I used the same method to remove the screws from an N64.
Title: Re: Does anyone know where i can buy a 3.8mm NES Tool to open games locally not ebay
Post by: fjl on May 15, 2008, 04:09:04 am
I have one of those bits. I think I originally bought it from Lik-Sang before they shut them down. Or maybe Ebay.

So what's wrong with buying it from ebay?
Title: Re: Does anyone know where i can buy a 3.8mm NES Tool to open games locally not ebay
Post by: Namco on May 15, 2008, 05:08:28 am
Looking for the security tool bit / screwdriver key to open up my old NES games where can i buy this item locally other than ebay, i already tried home depot, and radio shack

I got mine from Jandaman's
http://www.jandaman.com/games.mvc?p=gamebit38&Category_code=SNES

Looks like they're sold out right now, but send them an email, they might have one for you.
Title: Re: Does anyone know where i can buy a 3.8mm NES Tool to open games locally not
Post by: CheffoJeffo on May 15, 2008, 07:48:41 am
In my security bit set (purchased at the local electronics shop), I have a couple of bits that look like slot-heads with a chunk cut out of the centre. I have these with success on Nintendo screws.

OTOH, I did order Nintendo bits online and use those now instead.
Title: Re: Does anyone know where i can buy a 3.8mm NES Tool to open games locally not ebay
Post by: lanman31337 on May 15, 2008, 09:03:44 am
Do the lighter and pen trick.  Just as Franco B mentioned, that trick usually works well.
Title: Re: Does anyone know where i can buy a 3.8mm NES Tool to open games locally not ebay
Post by: Mr. Gone on May 20, 2008, 07:30:34 pm
The pen trick always worked really well for me with consoles (VB/GC/N64/. But for SNES/N64 games it never did the trick. They've got smaller screws and the holes they sit in are pretty shallow.

I know that for some of the really old NES games, though, a little flathead screwdriver will work. My Zelda and Hogans Alley have these screws. I was hoping my Mario Bros would, as it would mean perhaps it would contain the JPN->USA converter. (At USA launch I believe they didn't have the US game PCBs made yet, so they opted the half-assed approach).