Extracting a Broken Stylus - Page 2

Ripplinger · 08-03-2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carpetmojo

I can definitely recommend the christylus [ I think I came up with that, not sure !] it's a great solution

Well done him..

Yes, pretty sure it was you who first used it for him (I was too lazy to dig back through posts to give credit earlier and in a hurry and didn't recall the numbers behind his name off the top of my head, so used it

), I definitely did not come up with that name and didn't mean to imply I created it. But it's definitely appropriate for him!

ScalyFreak · 08-03-2011, 10:00 PM

The way your reader fell, the stylus probably bent while/before breaking, and that means the reason it's stuck is because that top end is wedged against/into the side of the stylus slot, and the remainder of the stylus in there is possibly a bit curved, which will make it harder to get it out.

Patience, patience, patience, is key here. And a red-hot needle, and long thin tweezers. As for how to get the needle into the stuck stylus, here's how you get one into a plastic cork stuck in the neck of a perfume bottle:

1. Heat up needle in a candle flame. Do NOT hold it with your hand. Seriously. They tortured people like that in the Middle Ages. Hold it with tweezers. (The needle, not the candle flame.)

2. Take very hot needle, press tip gently against the top of the plastic. Maneuver the tweezers so that you're holding the needle steady from the side, leaving the not-so-red top easily accessible.

3. Tap top of needle over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over with a very small hammer, or narrow hard object that can be used as a hammer. The handle of a screwdriver works well.

4. Keep tapping until the needle has gone deep enough into the plastic that it's firmly stuck, then let go and leave the whole thing alone until it's fully cool and the softened plastic around the needle has hardened again.

5. Grab the needle and patiently coax the perfume bott--,er, stylus, out from here it was stuck. Take your time, and resist the urge to force things. Let it take the time it takes, and don't underestimate the importance of wiggling sideways.

Good luck.

elizilla · 08-03-2011, 11:15 PM

If you still can't get it out, take it along next time you're getting a root canal, and see if the endodontist can help.

anamardoll · 08-04-2011, 09:35 AM

Update!

Husband disappeared into the bedroom last night with a BBQ lighter, a sewing needle, a dime, a dinner plate, and my reader. Came back with the reader and the stylus, and a needle jauntily sticking out of the end. Yay!

It's easy to see that the stylus/head break was COMPLETELY clean. I mean, no jagged edges at all. Seems like the break was just waiting to happen, very odd. Maybe this is why Sony doesn't manufacture and sell the stylus' because they're trying to invent one that won't break like that.

Chris is sending me a new stylus (I'm using a Q-tip in the meantime) and MUCH THANKS are due to Ripplinger who gave up dibs on the last stylus to help me out. Chris says this is the second time Ripp has done this kind thing for a fellow Sony user and therefore he is a SAINT.

(Especially since my cats keep trying to eat the Q-tip. Gah!)

AlbertaCowboy · 08-04-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamardoll

Husband disappeared into the bedroom last night with a BBQ lighter, a sewing needle, a dime, a dinner plate, and my reader.

Sounds like MacGyver!

Glad he was able to get it sorted for you.

ScalyFreak · 08-04-2011, 12:05 PM

Great! And soon you will have a new stylus as well.

As an extra bonus, now I know what to do if I ever need a new stylus for my 950. I will simply come here and order one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

Sounds like MacGyver!

I was actually thinking that it sounded very different, and not at all PG13... but then my mind has always been too close to the gutter for its own good.

Phogg · 08-04-2011, 12:58 PM

Glad it worked out.

carpetmojo · 08-04-2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamardoll

Update! Chris says this is the second time Ripp has done this kind thing for a fellow Sony user and therefore he is a SAINT.

(Especially since my cats keep trying to eat the Q-tip. Gah!)

Stripp ? [ sorry, couldn't help myself.........]

Oh - the Q-tip might be better for it than some of the stuff they palm off on pets !

carpetmojo · 08-04-2011, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

......... I definitely did not come up with that name and didn't mean to imply I created it. But it's definitely appropriate for him!

Don't fret, I never thought you were, ripplinger - sorry if I gave that impression.

Freeshadow · 08-04-2011, 07:25 PM

glad it worked, I was just about to +1 on the needle method, since I have been successfull myself with such in an even trickier case: extraction of a broken piece of plastic from a ps/2 keyboard connection port.

chris77586 · 08-04-2011, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

As an extra bonus, now I know what to do if I ever need a new stylus for my 950. I will simply come here and order one.

I'm actually not sure if my stylus will work in the 950. I know it works in the 350, and someone said it works in the 650, but no guarantee on the 950.

ScalyFreak · 08-04-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris77586

I'm actually not sure if my stylus will work in the 950. I know it works in the 350, and someone said it works in the 650, but no guarantee on the 950.

The pictures in your thread that someone linked to earlier look like the stylus that came with my 950, and anything that can tap will work on the screen. But you make a good point in that it might not fit in the stylus compartment on the side... then again, it would make logical sense for Sony to make all three models use the same stylus, to cut back on production costs.

If you have a spare one laying around, I would be happy to buy it and let you know how it does. I'm a clutz, and I definitely wouldn't mind having a spare stylus.

Bookworm_Girl · 08-04-2011, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris77586

I'm actually not sure if my stylus will work in the 950. I know it works in the 350, and someone said it works in the 650, but no guarantee on the 950.

I have a 350 & a 950. They are not exactly identical when you compare them side-by-side. However, I can fit the 350 stylus in the 950. I think your stylus will probably be close enough to work ok with the 950. Hope that helps!

Ripplinger · 08-05-2011, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

I have a 350 & a 950. They are not exactly identical when you compare them side-by-side. However, I can fit the 350 stylus in the 950. I think your stylus will probably be close enough to work ok with the 950. Hope that helps!

I don't have a 950, but I'm really curious what the differences are between the 2 stylus for each. Does the stylus from the 350 snap into place in the 950 slot like it should so it doesn't fall out? Is the 950 longer than the 350 (which wouldn't really affect use)?

As long as it snaps slightly in place so it doesn't fall out, I would think that would be the biggest concern to be sure they're interchangeable.

Ditchleyportrait · 08-05-2011, 01:06 AM

great story.

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08-03-2011, 10:00 PM	#17
ScalyFreak Sith Wannabe Posts: 2,034 Karma: 8017430 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: I'm not sure... it's kind of dark. Device: Galaxy Note 4, Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Fire HD, Aluratek Libre	The way your reader fell, the stylus probably bent while/before breaking, and that means the reason it's stuck is because that top end is wedged against/into the side of the stylus slot, and the remainder of the stylus in there is possibly a bit curved, which will make it harder to get it out. Patience, patience, patience, is key here. And a red-hot needle, and long thin tweezers. As for how to get the needle into the stuck stylus, here's how you get one into a plastic cork stuck in the neck of a perfume bottle: 1. Heat up needle in a candle flame. Do NOT hold it with your hand. Seriously. They tortured people like that in the Middle Ages. Hold it with tweezers. (The needle, not the candle flame.) 2. Take very hot needle, press tip gently against the top of the plastic. Maneuver the tweezers so that you're holding the needle steady from the side, leaving the not-so-red top easily accessible. 3. Tap top of needle over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over with a very small hammer, or narrow hard object that can be used as a hammer. The handle of a screwdriver works well. 4. Keep tapping until the needle has gone deep enough into the plastic that it's firmly stuck, then let go and leave the whole thing alone until it's fully cool and the softened plastic around the needle has hardened again. 5. Grab the needle and patiently coax the perfume bott--,er, stylus, out from here it was stuck. Take your time, and resist the urge to force things. Let it take the time it takes, and don't underestimate the importance of wiggling sideways. Good luck.

08-03-2011, 11:15 PM	#18
elizilla Addict Posts: 271 Karma: 610286 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Michigan, USA Device: Kobo Elipsa, Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Sage, others	If you still can't get it out, take it along next time you're getting a root canal, and see if the endodontist can help.

08-04-2011, 09:35 AM	#19
anamardoll Chasing Butterflies Posts: 3,132 Karma: 5074169 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: American Southwest Device: Uses batteries.	Update! Husband disappeared into the bedroom last night with a BBQ lighter, a sewing needle, a dime, a dinner plate, and my reader. Came back with the reader and the stylus, and a needle jauntily sticking out of the end. Yay! It's easy to see that the stylus/head break was COMPLETELY clean. I mean, no jagged edges at all. Seems like the break was just waiting to happen, very odd. Maybe this is why Sony doesn't manufacture and sell the stylus' because they're trying to invent one that won't break like that. Chris is sending me a new stylus (I'm using a Q-tip in the meantime) and MUCH THANKS are due to Ripplinger who gave up dibs on the last stylus to help me out. Chris says this is the second time Ripp has done this kind thing for a fellow Sony user and therefore he is a SAINT. (Especially since my cats keep trying to eat the Q-tip. Gah!)

08-04-2011, 12:58 PM	#22
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	Glad it worked out.

08-04-2011, 07:25 PM	#25
Freeshadow temp. out of service Posts: 2,815 Karma: 24285242 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Duisburg (DE) Device: PB 623	glad it worked, I was just about to +1 on the needle method, since I have been successfull myself with such in an even trickier case: extraction of a broken piece of plastic from a ps/2 keyboard connection port.

08-05-2011, 01:06 AM	#30
Ditchleyportrait Fanatic Posts: 504 Karma: 780086 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: ny Device: Kindle DX Graphite	great story.