Posts: 1,162
Threads: 26
Joined: Aug 2005
To open the HP cassettes, I normally use a non-magnetic tool (e.g. the handle of a cotton bud) inserted in the small square holes at the ends of the 'window' side of the cassette. And then prise (pry) the housing apart. Once it's started to separate, I run a finger nail (or if it's really well stuck, a thin blade) round the joint.
Always dismantle these cassettes label-side up. The case halves are not identical, and the bits stay in place better if you do it that way.
I replace the pressure pad with a piece of felt stuck on a double-sided adhesive foam pad (Maplin sell (sold?) them in the UK, called 'Quickstick pads).
As I mentiond a short time ago, I have an article I wrote for DataFile describing how to repair these tapes. My web browser won;t let me include it in a posting like this, but I'd be happy to ftp it, or e-mail it somewhere. Is there some way it could then be posted to the articles forum here?