How to Finish Cracking the Toy Case for Circuit Bending

Circuit bending is an increasingly popular hobby as people become more and more aware of the possibilities and fun they can create. Cracking the case of the electronic toy being used is part of this process and should be done correctly to avoid damaging the internal parts of the electronic toy.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soldering iron
• Solder
• Heat-resistant surface
• Switches
• Alligator clips
• Electronic toy
• Screwdrivers
• Batteries
• Drill

1. Gather the tools you will need for your circuit bending project and set up your work area with a heat resistant pad.

2. Remove all of the screws from the casing with a small jeweler's screwdriver. Place them in a safe, easy to find place, so you will have them for re-installing of the casing when you are finished with your bending project.

3. Check for any retaining clips that may be holding the back portion of the casing in place. If there are any, depress them to release them and pop the casing off without lifting it away from the toy. The object of the project at this point is to get the back casing piece free of the front casing piece.

4. Slowly lift the back casing and look underneath it. There may be wires running between the two plastic casing pieces. Often a toy manufacturer installs a speaker or the battery pack on the back of the casing with the wires running across the circuit board. If you jerk the back off too quickly, it could tear these wires out.

5. Lay the case open gently. You don't want to remove the wires, as they may be attached to the battery pack or speaker, both of which you will need functioning throughout the project.