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A new idea to protect the MBP HD cable.

@kyle

Full disclosure: I am changing my 2011 cable even though it still works. I am addressing it before it fails.

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Along with @mayer and the method he uses (Repair Radio Episode 3: The Next Generation of Right to Repair), I came up with as a supplemental fix to protect the new hard drive cable from damage. This isn’t a replacement for his method, but it’s another protective layer that prevents cable damage. I came up with this because I had leftover removable double sided tape from one of my ideas to come up with a secondary idea to protect the 2009-12 MBP hard drive cable with a piece that can be made into a removal tab just in case.

The tape I used is now under the Scotch Create brand (3M 109 if you want the version I have since it looks like it has more tape), but the Scotch Create tape looks to be the same. My local store just had the old branded tape (3M 109). The wax backing stays on the tape and it must remain on the tape and not removed, which limits your options somewhat. I did not see a bulk option without the dispenser, so if you want to avoid it for environmental reasons you will have to break open the dispenser, remove the blade and recycle the unwanted dispenser.

You want to cut as much as you can safely without damaging the cable, since this is meant to cover the back of the cable and does nothing else.

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@kristen this may also be helpful as well

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Kudos on the creativity (and for the eco-friendly tip)! Looks like a pretty durable protective layer.

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@kristen I wouldn't even break it open gracefully since it'll probably be melted anyway. Unless 3M takes them back and puts them on the production line after seeing if it's usable there's no reason to do it cleanly if you're getting rid of it.

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Sure, I think Scotch tape makes good sense as a protective layer!

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Right; it's not meant to replace tape applied to the cable that stops it from moving as a protective layer. This is more to keep the optical drive wear from happening and improving your odds.

On that note, do you think 8mm Tesa tape would work for the folks adamant about not wanting to deal with a disposable dispenser or do you think the cable is too fragile to do that? Other tapes exist, but I don't trust they will come off without damage if need be.

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I just use electricians tape. You don't want to hold the cable down if this is a double stick tape.

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@danj it is but I had it leftover so rather then waste it I was seeing if I could put it to use as a protection layer. I also put kapton tape on the optical drive as well to keep it better isolated.

That may not be a bad way to make the ones who don't want that dispenser happy as a compromise as well.

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Not following you here @nick, I don't use any dispenser.

Electricians tape a thicker than your tape. One strip is all thats needed on the uppercase as its wider. Mayer goes a bit heavy from what he has posted. The 15" models have two plastic mid frame clips the bottom cover fits into. These clips can sometimes be damaged from bangs. I always place a good clip near the optical drive so the cable doesn't get damaged. We made a replacement using a 3D printer years ago I'm down to my last dozen. I still pad the area on the optical drive to protect the cable. The 13" model doesn't need this padding.

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Nick will be eternally grateful.