Introduction
I'm on my third Zagg Keys Folio keyboard case for iPad Mini. They are a fantastic keyboard, but the plastic around the hinges ALWAYS breaks. I decided to fix this once and for all.
Tools
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Separate the keyboard from the back case using the attached video procedure, thanks to Duane Sheehan. I needed to direct the hair dryer air between both halves in order to separate them due to the VERY STICKY double sided tape. NOTE: There are two more larger screws next to the hinges that he does not show. You must also remove these!
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After you get the back off it will look like this. The black plastic strip in the middle must be removed. There are tabs on each end, and it snaps in. To remove, gently pry open with a small screwdriver. Now you can see the two hinges, and four screws for each hinge.
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To make your life easier, measure and cut a piece of wax or parchment paper to cover the double stick tape.
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You need a very small screwdriver to remove the screws, and I believe they were cemented in. About half of the screws came out easily. I able to remove the others by heating them up with a soldering iron, very carefully.
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Keep track of which sides the hinges came from by marking them on the hinges, and on the metal plate of the keyboard.
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After removal, you will see a nut at the end of the hinge pivot pin. The hinge has a detent position when the cover is fully open and fully closed. This hinge is too tight. Loosen the nut and test the open/close action. Remember that the weight of the tablet will affect the action. Don't loosen too much.
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Reinstall the hinges using half of the screws. Install your tablet into the folio, and test the action. (This is where the parchment paper comes in handy!) Readjust the nut tension until the hinge opens and closes smoothly, but there is enough tension to keep it open in different positions.
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Install remaining hinge screws.
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While I have the cover off, I repaired the broken plastic near the hinge by peeling back the leatherette and repaired the plastic using Ambroid Proweld, Micro-Mark Same Stuff, or Tenax. You could also try using Loctite Plastic Epoxy.
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To reassemble, reverse the above steps:
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Leave the wax/parchment paper on the back. It won't hurt anything, and allows for easier removal in case you need to readjust the hinges in the future.
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Place the long thin black plastic hinge cover back on and snap into place.
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Place black plastic rear keyboard cover back onto keyboard and reinstall screws
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Press leatherette back onto lid hinge and keyboard back
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
3 comments
I have a Zagg case for iPad mini4. The hinge always breaks - thin plastic.. With a 2year warranty I am about to claim another replacement.. But really the hinge needs to be made of metal/alloy OR to be much thicker - the weak points need to be eliminated for the most part.
Has anyone 3D printed these hinges? Preferably in a stronger, less minimalist, thicker style?
I have a rugged book where the screw heads have sheared off. I was pretty surprised by this. These are the screws for the hinge that are in the moving part of the hinge, not the keyboard part. Anyone know what thread these screws are?
Gone through four zags now. All hinge problems. Thanks for the info in this vid (and written step by step) explanation. Still over my pay grade. I’ll probably just have to shell out for another one (and they aren’t getting any cheaper [price-wise anyway]}. Love the Zagg, hate the hinge. My two cents.