Amazon Kindle Fire Button Protector

Well I have had the Amazon Kindle Fire since it came out and I really enjoy it except for 1 little tiny thing: The Power Button.
I can't tell you how many times I have accidentally bumped it and it turns off or in some cases turns on. It is by far the most irritating thing about this device. How could something so small stick out so much and become so aggravating? Enough is enough. I can't take anymore! I don't care if I void the warranty. I have to do something.

I really thought by getting the Kindle a nice cover would help. It did but not anywhere near enough. Because of this problem I haven't used the Kindle as much lately.

Well here is a quick solution:

Find a washer or piece of plastic that is 5 mm in the inside diameter. I used a lock washer. Turns out it is exactly the right size. I would say it is thicker than I'd like but it is working. I don't know how long this will last since I just did this yesterday and just had to make a quick Instructable because I'm so happy it works. Time will tell. Just remember to choose something small so it won't interfere with the charging plug. 

Shouldn't take more than 20 minutes to do and this is very low cost. 

Lets get started!

Step 1:

Choose your plastic, washer or lock washer as in my case. You need about 5 mm of clearance around the power button. If you chose a lock washer or split washer like I did you'll need to make it flat. So get some pliers and use the smooth part not the grippy part or you will probably see indentations on your washer. Just twist it to make it flat. Very simple. 

Step 2:

Clean the Kindle Fire around the button with some alcohol. Next we need to use a sharp knife to score around the button. The plastic is too smooth for glue to adhere. Don't scratch around too much and go beyond where the washer will be placed. Next brush off the excess plastic dust with a clean brush.

Step 3:

Now we have to rough up the washer so it too will adhere to the glue better. This is just some old 80 grit emery cloth that I used. You could use up to 150 grit but I wanted deep scratches.

I used Duco cement. If you really want a better more permanent adhesion then a 5 minute epoxy would probably do the trick. This is all I had so I used it. I wouldn't use super glue. Most likely you will discolor the plastic around your washer. Also most super glues are runny and you don't want it to leak around the button. 

Step 4:

Now all you gotta do is glue it. I recommend you glue the washer first with a very thin coat then using tweezers or needle nose pliers to place it. When I place it on it slipped off and the glue was drying quickly. You can see what looks like excess. I scrapped most of it but there still is some there. It looks ok but more importantly it saves me from bumping that button by mistake.

Well I call this a success. If I were to do over again I would choose a thinner washer. The nice thing is that by pressing just the washer the Kindle turns on. The button itself still works on its own if you use a fingernail or pencil. Just make sure you do not get glue  in the groove surrounding the button. On one side I did and took me a couple minutes to fish it out. 

Overall I am happy with it and that is what is important. Now I will relax and go read a book... on the Kindle.

Comments

[escapefromyonkers]

if you carry it in a backpack , it doesn't matter if it is up or down, there will always be the possibility of it being turned on your bag. i have had it happen with some of my fenix lights,where the button protrudes . The one where the button is embedded into the tube is much better, plus you can stand it like a candle. i have to unscrew the battery cap on many of my fenix and zebra headlights,since the button somehow ,miraculously will get depressed. good fix for the kindle. i will keep my eyes out for a plastic washer,since it may glue easier. But you gotta use what you have. and just keep your eyes open for a another fix if the first doesn't last long do the same as my kindle fire also gets turned on in my pack.

[mutantferret]

Oh I have learned to always unscrew the flashlight or take the batteries out. It is inevitable that it will somehow turn itself on.

My little fix for the Kindle is still working great!

[Tobashadow]

Or you could do the logical thing and turn the fire, 180 deg. around and that puts the button at the top.

[micjwelch]

That works until you find an app that doesn't support rotation. Like Words With Friends. It's really annoying.

[mutantferret]

It doesn't matter whether its on top or the bottom. I still always bump it every time I use the Kindle. Now I don't have to worry about that anymore.

You are correct micjwelch. Many apps out there only display in one direction.

[mrmerino]

Reading this on my Kindle Fire... I keep looking at the bottom and going "huh."

[cobourgdave]

Simple, neat and well decribed.
Well done!