Add a rapid-fire button to your mouse using a 555 timer

Does your finger get tired easily while playing video games? Ever wish you could pwn n00bs faster than the speed of light without ever breaking a sweat? This Instructable will show you how.

Step 1: What you need

Originally, I built this circuit specifically to make the Engineer/Scout's pistol in Team Fortress 2 more effective, but I've found uses outside of TF2 that increase productivity when I'm working, which makes this an incredibly useful mod.

This circuit can be added to any mouse. Yes, that's any mouse, following these simple steps.

For this Instructable, you will need:
- 555 Timer IC
- 8-Pin IC Socket (static discharge or heat from soldering tends to ruin 555s, so we use a socket)
- 10K Resistor
- 1K Resistor
- 4.7uF Capacitor (voltage doesn't matter, as long as it's 5V or over)
- Normally-Open Pushbutton Switch (any kind will do)
- Some wire
- Glue (to adhere the switch to the mouse, so hot glue or epoxy will work well for this)
- Solder
- Soldering Iron
- Wire snips
- Fine-nosed Pliers

Comments

[crayzeedude]

Is it possible to re-attach the case so the mouse is as it was (except for maybe a hole) before the hack?

[oldsmarracin]

an ne555p will work for this right?

[vricsi94]

sure :D

[ralbuera]

I made one just today...test result showed 14 clicks per second, not bad :)

[MintyCondition]

Awesome! Worked for me perfectly!

[Ninjanator]

i made this but when i use it it only clicks once

[zigzagchris]

Is it not possible to use a hack on the computer?

[mothflavour2]

It's possible, but some games can identify when software is being used to do stuff like this. This is a totally hardware-based method, so it's undetectable by those systems. I also limited the speed of the clicking to something that is actually attainable by a person on their own.

[pikagod]

I don't normally post comments, but I am actually trying this project and I planned on doing exactly as someone else here did. I want to add an on/off switch instead of a button, but wouldn't the button simply be completely disabled when the switch is in the off position? meaning the clicking wouldn't work period when its off?

[mrodríguez hernández]

It works only while the button is pressed? or have i to apply a "reset"?
Greetings

[smartbuilderperson]

fun project i have done this it works great. i tried it on roblox....but did had to change some settings

[ausetisis]

could you vary the speed with a potentiometer and were could you put it?

[bdeschamps]

take out the 1 k if i remember right and put it there, I mite be wrong I have done it before I just can`t remember.

[hevitikku]

yes you could. put it instead of 10K resistor

[KhajagB.]

but can you give me the specifications of the pot.

[hevitikku]

I used a small 0-50K linear trimmer pot. You can try diffrent values depending on how precicely/widely you want to be able to adjust the frequecy of clicking.

[Max_Veteran]

IS this possible to use this for games such a cs 1.6 ?

[AustralLord]

is there a way to make it shoot faster?

[mothflavour2]

Try replacing the R1 and C1 with lower values. lowering the value of R1 from 10K ohms to 5K ohms (or more practically 4.7K ohms) will double the speed. You can do the similarly by lowering C1 from 4.7uF to, say, 2.2uF.

[jimday666]

sure, but specific games have limitations too. have to experiment.

[oliverkrystal]

Good place for a potentiometer, don't you think?

[trunkmonkey4345]

I just finished this mod and my mouse lost power on the optical light and cant move it anymore but the mouse can click fast any ideas or does anyone know whats going on

[oliverkrystal]

check for a traces that has got extra solder connecting them. You probably soldered one thing to another

[Marche]

Just a heads up; you probably shouldn't leave the reset and control pins floating. With the 555 I used I just tied the reset pin to VCC.
The control pin should be connected to ground with a 10nF capacitor.
After that it should work fine.

[Evilthingamabober]

Nice job, but a script may be more convenient. Here's one that I amde in AutoIt.
Press " ` " to use it.
www.box.net/shared/ffmdzo5hxj

[ddevun]

The problem with a software solution is that it can be detected by anti-cheat software (Punkbuster, Warden, etc.). The only way this could be detected is visually by other players or administrators.

[The End of A Heartache]

the 555timer is a fancy flip flop .. it doesnt have a ic chip its all resistor,capacitors inside ... i used an EN555 on a rapidfire mod on a 360 controller.. creating one on a mouse is very intresting.. will it work on a wireless mouse though? i own acouple of cheap $15 wireless mouse i would like to try this out on

[That Smith Kid]

*facepalm*

IC stands for integrated circuit. The 555 is a circuit made up of resistors, capacitors, and (I believe) a transistor, all integrated into a single chip for ease of use. Pretty sure that makes it an IC.

[matstermind]

it will

[The End of A Heartache]

Im wondering it will drain the battery.. i used alkine and being that my cheap mouse they drain the battery like alchoalics to a bottle of wine

i think its time i should buy rechargable type nickle metalhydraite .. or cadimum

what type of 555chip did you use in the experiment?

[matstermind]

and i'd DEFINITELY go with rechargeable batteries

[matstermind]

it won't drain the battery if you put the switch between the powersource and the timer. and i used a TLC555CP from texas instruments, i got it as a free sample.

[htetkyawlwin]

really a cool idea for gamers :)
also I think 17xxxx type is lower drain current than other 555 ICs. such as 17555, 17741 etc.... but I'm not sure.

[uger iceman]

what resistor should I use if i needed it to run off 2 AA batteries

[Marche]

IIRC, the resistors are there for timing purposes, if you're still wondering.
Make sure your timer IC can run off of 3V though!

[Dannne11]

what happens if i skip the Capacitor??

[Arirox]

can i add a small on/off switch like:[See Pic]  insted of the push switch used in this mod?

[matstermind]

yes

[knex_mepalm]

Is it possible to make it a dual shot instead? Because I am a fan of the ak47 in shoter games and it always kills in 2 shots but I waste like 5 shots afterwards. Help? I just need a diagram.

[htetkyawlwin]

You could use 555 and CD4017 decade counter IC to make only 2 shot.... today many kinds of mouse come with a button to avoid double clicking the left button, that would make you easy in your game because it's make only 2 exact clicks :)