Apple retro pendrive

Apple itself never released a self-branded USB pendrive, so let fill the gap!
I found a noname USB pendrive in my drawer. It is an old, 128 Mb model, so was easy to sacrifice for this project. Also here is an old apple II keyboard too.

This project right now is in the pocket size contest. If you like it, please VOTE for it!
Thans in advance!

Step 1: Tools and sources

You will need a pendrive, a keyboard,a sharp knife, sandpaper, soldering iron ,a pencil, some glue, scissors

Step 2: Find the key

Let's see... You have to find a matching key from the keyboard for your naked pendrive! At first I wanted to fit in the "apple" button, but that turned out too short, so give a chance to the "return" button!

Step 3: Fix the key

The bottom of the buttons aren't even, so you have to flat it with a sandpaper.
Cut out the gap for the USB connector! Use a pencil to mark the size of the connector!
Also, remove those plastic peaks from the key, just to make space for a pendrive inside! I just melt them out with a soldering iron.

Step 4: Check

Quick check, refine, check again...perfect!

Step 5: Make more apple-ish!

Make it more apple-ish! I removed the tiny apple logo from the keyboard, and glued on the top of the "return" key.
NOTE:To remove a logo, do not try to remove it from the front, because it made of metal, so very easy to scratching down the paint! Take apart the keyboard, and you will find a tiny hole inside, just under the logo. Punched it out through that pinhole with a needle!

Step 6: ...one more thing...

I had to close the bottom of the key somehow.Firstly I planned to cover it with some kind of rubberized surface to make it anti-grip when remove it from the USB slot.
I always try to make my project as genuine as possible, so why not to use a genuine apple part again?
I removed the apple pro keyboard sticker from the back of it, cut it to the right size, and place it. Hence it is 19 years old still self- adhesive anyway, so saved some glue too! Hmm, 80's Cupertino plastic...
Color match!

Comments

[TylrMorgn]

Hey, i have an apple II and it comes with a HUGE keyboard with a stand for the monitor...like the one in the picture attached. Would i still be able to get the apple out, or is it just too risky?

[Max Headroom]

No, it came from an Apple KEYBOARD II, not from an Apple II.
If you want to take off the apple-logo, take apart the computer and there must be a tiny hole under the logo, through that you can pust that out.

[jtopete]

what generation keyboard did you use?

[Max Headroom]

Apple keyboard II

[jmn1993]

Hahah nice..
been tryin to find a cool usb cover make..

[C-MuSS]

Hahahaha this is really nice!

[fidgetingfinch]

I am going to make one of these myself now. I have probably 5 old Apple computers in my basement with about 10 keyboards for them, so I'm sure my Dad won't mind me tearing one apart. :D He probably won't even notice. ;)

[Max Headroom]

everyone welcome! Just send my a copyright fee! :)

[travers114]

Sweet. I made one just like this last year with an Enter key only to have mac users ask me what it was from. :P

[chrisPS]

how about if you want it Windows-themed? OF course...

[Max Headroom]

You can use a "windows" key,I guess...and paint it to "blue death" :)

[sawyer95]

my cat dosent like it O

[Max Headroom]

Well, I made it guinea pig friendly only.sorry

[reluttr]

The first generation ipod shuffle was kinda like a apple branded flash drive XD, even though I think you have to hack it in order to put files on it.

[Max Headroom]

You got a point, but that called an ipod, not a pendrive. To use as a pendrive all you have to do to tick the " use as a mass storage device" option in the iTunes control panel

[fwjs28]

you truely are a retro guy, max headroom was awesome..i would suggest a better main picture...its a bit dull...and as to what to put on the flashdrive i think this should answer any questions

[Max Headroom]

Thanks! And I will put that stuff on it!

[fwjs28]

:) i think it should have enough room, i forget the specs for the minimac

[harrycarry250]

That is really COOL!!

[MillenniumMan]

I swear, this is exactly what a flashdrive would have looked like in 1990 if the technology existed back then. Right down to the copyright notice, patented by apple. Now, a retro 1988 iPod!

[Max Headroom]

Thanks, I hope that Apple's lawyers let me alone.

[Chicken2209]

if you want to wow people, id consider retaking the main image with more light that way the picture is not so gray but overall, wow

[Max Headroom]

It is gray

[Chicken2209]

i guess the right word would have been low contrast or somethin

[bustedit]

: )

[Clayton H.]

put mini-mac software on it

[Max Headroom]

I put my Gameboy, NES and SNES ROMs on it. still retro and enough space for those

[robotguy4]

Now to make a windows version... Wheres the "crash" key on these Vista machines? I know my XP didn't have one... Another idea: Put your Caps Lock to a good use.

[blugyblug]

Hahah nice, Kinda reminds me of "Enter the USB".
where they do the exact same thing with a usb flash drive (pendrive) but without all the fancy apple logos.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Custom-USB-Drive---Project%3a-Enter-the-USB/

[aarone]

This is way cool. Very well done.

[gijoebob]

That is a really, really cool idea. I have a drive for this and a few keyboards as well.

[gmjhowe]

I love how you used all the parts! Great work! I have an old keyboard that I have taken the apple logo to make into a pendant.

[NachoMahma]

. Nice job.