Hardware Hey guys, I did a thing! :D (SD Card slot cut out on N3DS XL)

[Aether Lion]

I left my phone at a friend's house and my DSLR Camera's Battery Charger replacement ain't coming for a week or so. Deal with the image quality. xD

I don't know if something better than this exists (probably anything is better). BUT, I just took a Dremel tool and cut out the microSD card slot (it is perfectly cut around the N3DS logo on the bottom ). I'm used to my O3DS's SD slot that was easy to remove...well now this is even easier. I tested it and it doesn't get in the way of gameplay + is super easy to operate. I did a lil bit of a sloppy job but made sure to smooth it out so no one cuts themselves off of the edges.

I don't do DIY much so I thought I'd come up with something and just do it. I wanted to replace the bottom plate and they are cheap anyways so if I messed up it was no big deal. I'm already liking it.I usually have a case on this so it protects it from internal dust or anything. I just like only having to take off the case instead of both layers.
So yay! No more opening the back to get the microSD card out.

The whole process took me like...what? 3 - 5 minutes?



Here are very broad and shitty instructions: [If you get hurt, it's on you. If your device somehow explodes or something, it's on you.]

Spoiler

1. REMOVE THE BOTTOM PLATE FROM THE 3DS. YOU ONLY NEED TO USE THIS PIECE. DON'T DO THIS WHILE IT IS ATTACHED TO YOUR DEVICE.
2. Get an outline of the microSD card slot drawn on the back of the bottom piece (I found a tiny outline of extra wear/gunk where the microSD card slot laid on the bottom piece so I used that as the outline.)
3. DREMEL TOOL TIME! Take it slow though, you aren't in a rush, are you? If you are. Don't do this. Try to cut out the "common rectangle". What I mean is; You see how the microSD slot is comprised of a rectangle and two half circles? Cut out that rectangle and then sand the sides down to get the half circles.
4. Make sure to smooth the edges and flatten out any distorted surfaces.
   
5. Profit.
6. Seriously, you're done.

A hint of caution if you do this: Be sure to smooth the sides/top of where you cut/sand, not only to prevent self-harm but to also remove the warped plastic on the outside that was caused from cutting into the back.

If you do it, post pics!

Anyways, it is 8AM and I haven't slept so I will probably regret this when I wake up. I think I'mma try to sleep, I dunno. :3

 

[cots]

Your dremel skills are horrible!

 

[Aether Lion]

Your dremel skills are horrible!

I've had no sleep.
Plus, I haven't touched a Dremel in like 9 months. Cut me some slack!

 

[mashers]

Your dremel skills are horrible!

So are your manners!

 

[Sicklyboy]

The Nintendo panda dev-units actually have an official backplate with the microSD cutout on it for easy access.

 

[Scarlet]

I've had no sleep.
Plus, I haven't touched a Dremel in like 9 months. Cut me some slack!

At least you can order a replacement battery cover from Nintendo US, we don't get that option in the UK </3

 

[hobbledehoy899]

All you needed to do was remove the screws, now the slot susceptible to dust, liquid spills, and other shit (people sneakily coming up and removing the Micro SD-Card during game-play.)

 

[petethepug]

At least you can order a replacement battery cover from Nintendo US, we don't get that option in the UK </3

You can attempt having it shipped from the US to UK. Idk how much that will cost though.

 

[mightymuffy]

There's a fine line between genius and psychotic, and I'm not sure which side of the line this comes under
Does the job though, but be careful for dust n stuff....

 

[hobbledehoy899]

So are your manners!

So? @cots is still correct, and it's not just @Aether Lion's dremeling skills that suck, the whole idea is terrible.

 

[Aether Lion]

The Nintendo panda dev-units actually have an official backplate with the microSD cutout on it for easy access.

Hey my option shows hard work and dedication, though!

At least you can order a replacement battery cover from Nintendo US, we don't get that option in the UK </3

And also, they call it eBae for a reason.

All you needed to do was remove the screws, now the slot susceptible to dust, liquid spills, and other shit (people sneakily coming up and removing the Micro SD-Card during game-play.)

View attachment 50146
I usually have a case on this so it protects it from internal dust or anything. I just like only having to take off the case instead of both layers.

And besides, having my SD card in there is just as good as having a dummy one in there to prevent dust. I only have my SD card out for UP TO an hour at a time. There isn't a big gap from the battery cover and the actual bottom of the device, so if it is able to get through that, it'd be able to get through the back of the device since the screws were stripped as is.

There's a fine line between genius and psychotic, and I'm not sure which side of the line this comes under
Does the job though, but be careful for dust n stuff....

I'm actually both so it's okay.

 

[dimmidice]

i'd have tried to fashion a hinge with something. perhaps even just duct tape. or just remove the screw so its more easily removeable.

 

[hobbledehoy899]

And besides, having my SD card in there is just as good as having a dummy one in there to prevent dust.

I'd have too much fun replacing other people's SD-Cards with dummy/really small (256MBs or less) ones.

 

[Aether Lion]

i'd have tried to fashion a hinge with something. perhaps even just duct tape. or just remove the screw so its more easily removeable.

I was trying to do a hinge but nothing I could think of would work, and besides, the point is to have direct access to the SD card. Also, I can say that I'm still really liking this and it's been a couple hours since. The SD card comes out and goes in so perfectly. It's somehow easier to take it out like this than with the cover entirely popped off.
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@Sicklyboy Do you have a link to the cover you're talking about? I'm either going to scoff at how much money I saved or order it when I wake up and realize how awful this all was. xD
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I'd have too much fun replacing other people's SD-Cards with dummy/really small (256MBs or less) ones.

Yoooo this sounds like some YouTube-worthy-prankage. I'm down.
First up, I'mma confuse the shit out of my mom because she isn't tech savvy but has a phone and tablet.

 

[Sicklyboy]

@Aether Lion I thought I took a pic of it but I didn't, just double checked I'll have enough see if I can find one later at some point online, but not at the moment, I'm at work.

 

[Aether Lion]

@Aether Lion I thought I took a pic of it but I didn't, just double checked I'll have enough see if I can find one later at some point online, but not at the moment, I'm at work.

GEEEEZ, way to go! >_>
Sike.

But way to set a precedent, dear "Global Moderator", by being on GBATemp at work.

 

[TariqSoftDev]

Im gonna move the SD slot to the back very soon like the GPD XD

 

[Aether Lion]

Hey guys I'm still not regretting this. Yay!

 

[VinsCool]

I simply left the screws unscrewed, so I can remove my backplate anytime.

 

[Aether Lion]

I simply left the screws unscrewed, so I can remove my backplate anytime.

Well the one screw was broken off when I got this. Then the other one just broke off.
I was just like FUUUUUCK THIIIISSSS and assaulted it with a Dremel. Thankfully the back panel of my 3DS didn't push charges. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)