anyone taken apart a v-tube/lavatube?

[dingo1799]

top cap is broken on mine, and the fire button sticks. the cap and sleeve are separated from the tube, but i can't figure out how the board and rest of the guts come out of the tube and don't want to break it worse than what it already is....anyone taken one all the way apart?

 

[windozehater]

i second that question, my spring loaded pin broke, temp fix with a drop of solder.... works but not cool. cant tell if it is screwed or pressed together

 

[dingo1799]

ok, so i got bored last night and decided to take it apart, had a minimal amount of breakage. man, this thing is cheesy. cheap cheesy, and junky all in the same. im going to post pics up in a little bit. i need to do some editing and narrating of the pics to explain some stuff.

 

[dingo1799]

now that i know how it comes apart, i think a butterfly paper clamp handle would work perfectly to take it apart. the collar thats stuck on the circuit board is supposed to be soldered, and it came off when i was pulling on it. i think theres enough room between the board and the collar inside the tube to slide the paper clamp handle down into it, catch under the collar, and pull it out without any damage.

the metal cap under the plastic outer cap is simply a press fit into the tube. i used a screwdriver to pry it out, prying on one side, prying on the other, just walking it out.

im not for sure, but i'd imagine the dimple in the board collar is just to get the collar pressed back in so the buttons and screen all line up.

the fire button just sits on the plastic piece inside the tube, and the adj buttons just bend a little and pop right out.

in the meantime, im going to try to find some kind of soft touch switch to replace this ......ed clicky "sometimes i work, sometimes i wont work unless you hit me with a hammer" switch

 

[horton]

Hate to ask this, but could you describe or possibly post a pic of the "butterfly paper clamp handle". I know I've never seen one and would like to know where to look to purchase. I've been very curious about getting one of these devices apart to do something about the low quality switch as well. It's very hit and miss with firing and it seems I'm always having to press the fire button multiple times to get it to work. I was a little leery of using any contact cleaner not knowing what was inside that could possibly be damaged by slopping the cleaner around the switch.
Thanks very much.......

 

[dingo1799]

sorry...... butterfly paper clamp, aka binder clip...lol. i'd love to show you what i mean, but i have NONE here at home. they come in different sizes, and the handles for them match the size of the clip, it might take a little trial and error to figure out what size works best.

http://www.staples.com/Staples-Satin-Silver-Metal-Binder-Clips/product_SS1062795

 

[horton]

Thank you Dingo..... after looking at the link you kindly furnished, I now know exactly what you are talking about. I've always called them spring binder clips and had never heard the butterfly part.....lol. So you are using one of the handles from a clip to act as a puller of sorts to remove the board after prying off the top piece is how I'm envisioning this procedure? Sorry to be so dense about it.
I'll take my tube with me to the office supply to figure out what size would be appropriate. Heck, I need some clips anyhow..... usually have some of those around, but not sure where they went now.
I really appreciate your help.

 

[dingo1799]

no problem. handle = puller, correct!

im looking right now for a replacement switch, i dunno about anyone else, but i can do without the clicky switch. im looking for a sealed, soft touch switch. theres an electronics store about 10 miles from here, thinking about going over there to have a look, or at least find something i can match it up to to start with finding something better

 

[horton]

I'm digging out my Jameco and DigiKey catalogs for a little looksee, but I'll really need the switch in hand before I can make any decisions. The only other electronics store near me is Rat Shack and I doubt I'd have much luck there. I agree about doing away with the clicky switch -- it gets irritating after a while. My wife has even commented about how loud it is when she is sitting on the opposite end of the couch. Time for a silent switch!
Thanks again for your help.......