I just bought a replacement HD for my MacBook Pro from OWC. The instructional video that they provide on their website for installing it suggests that one of the tools needed is a nylon pry bar? My attempts to locate one in Seattle have come to nought (even Radio Shack doesn't sell them). So my question to those who have performed this operation on their own MacBook Pros is how essential is this tool? And if it is, can I fabricate a substitute of some kind. I could order a pack of these online, but this will invariably take a number of days and I really need this computer up and running sooner. Any help and/or advice would be appreciated.
If you've ever tried to open up modern electronics, you've probably realized that most products aren't just held together with screws but also small clips along the edge of the shell. These clips can be extremely hard to undo without harming the case unless you use plastic tools like these.
For $4.50 this kit is a great value. The triangle pry tools are nice - the tappered corners make it easy to get between plastic shells but they also get thicker so you can use them as wedges to keep the shell separated while you work another pry on the opposite side. The pry bars work well too, but the edge is pretty fragile and will bend pretty easily. I found they worked best to unlock ribbon connectors and pry out plastic plugs and sticking to these lighter jobs definitely preserved the finer edge of the tool much better.
Overall it's a solid set of tools and the value is really good especially for all the triangle pry tools you get. A must have for anyone looking to work on modern electronics without damaging the exterior shell.