I have repaired two DS-510s using the 3D-printed replacement part manufactured and sold on eBay by Erick Perez. They are printed from ABS plastic and are much tougher than the original parts. I am confident they will outlast the rest of the scanner. They are very inexpensive — less than $10 each. They fit perfectly and snap into place when the slot and tab of the two parts are aligned toward the repairer’s face, i.e., so that you can see through the slot, The slot is reinforced and the pair of shafts are very well designed.

The front cover is a bit obstinate until you find the tiny pry slots that reveal where the tabs are that hold it in place. 3 on the left side (including one in the back hinged corner) and 3 more on the right, plus a hidden one, dead center on the top edge midway between the “A6” marks. This is where a thin slot screwdriver or very thin spudger is handy.

Yes, a good point, but more descriptively: Removing the silver back panel (held by 4 screws) which covers the thick bundled cable with the core RF filter, frees up the cable, and then allows you to shift the front panel far enough toward the right to release the longer left hinge boss from its hinge socket. Then you can lay it flat. Finagle is a lovely word, sounds a bit Irish, but it’s a bit too vague to be of much help.

Forget paper clips and plastic tubes. A solid, mechanically superior replacement shaft set has been manufactured out of ABS using 3D printing by Erick Perez, who sells scads of them on eBay. He can be reached directly through his website: http://epsonscannerrepair.com/replacemen.... I have used these shafts in professionally repairing the DS-510 and they are far stronger than the flimsy originals. (I suspect the Epson engineers responsible for this part designed it on a Friday afternoon. ;-) Kudos to Erick!