Dell’s laptop service manuals often call for the use of a non-marring plastic scribe tool for removing plastics. Usually Dell will ship one of the tools when they dispatch a part that requires the tool for installation.
Lately the tool hasn’t been showing up in the box with the replacement part, probably a cost cutting measure but a very annoying one! I’ve been in the habit of tossing the tools in the trash once I was done since I counted on Dell to send a new one each time.
Using a flathead screwdriver to open a laptop is a sure way to scratch the computer. The basic principal of scratch hardness states that an item made of a hard material (metal) will scratch a softer material (plastic). Plastic on plastic is much less likely to leave any marks or scratches.
If you need a plastic scribe and you don’t have one you can get one fairly cheap. Specialized Products sells an alignment tool (Part #318X805) for $2 that is nearly identical to Dell’s tool. Each end of the tool is similar to a flathead screwdriver but it is much narrower making it great for fitting in small spaces.
They also sell a 5 piece kit (Part #054X700) for $7 that contains a flat blade scribe and several other useful tools for working on laptops.
So for $9 you can buy both and have a nice tool kit for safely working on laptops.
This was my first time ordering from Specialized Products and I can say it was a good experience. They quickly confirmed and shipped my order.
Amazon also sells a plastic spudger tool with a flat tip on one end and a sharp tip on the other side.
If you are planning to do any work on a laptop I highly recommend using a scribe, it will make the task much easier.
could i please have the web address or url for the “specialized products” store you mentioned. google search had to many. thanks
Hi Robert,
Here is the link to the product page.
http://www.specialized.net/Specialized/GC-Waldom-7-Alignment-Tool-3396.aspx#
I’ve ordered from the in the past and had a good experience with them.
Thanks I saw this article a little too late. I had to replace the fan on my laptop and had to remove the keyboard. I used a credit card but it was a hassle. Now part of the trim for the keyboard does not fit flush. Any ideas to fix the problem or should I just order a new keyboard for the laptop?
You can always use a plastic knitting needle and just sand one end flat. Get them at any thrift store for a few cents–you never run out.
Great suggestion Jim, thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for the directions to the Specialized tools site. Just a little teed off with Dell, spend almost a hundred dollars on memory upgrade, only to find they did not supply the plastic scribe. I guess that is one way to avoid having your customers be able to fix or upgrade their laptops.