How to pimp your keyboard

Stuck with a dull old 90's keyboard? Want a cool blue backlit keyboard on the cheap? Say no more...I'll show you how to upgrade your sleep-inducing boring old keyboard into the next century.

Step 1 Tools and materials you'll need:

materials:

- 1 dull keyboard
- 3...6 high brightness LEDs (I used blue, but you can use any color you want, or even mix)
- current limiting resistors (depends on keyboard voltage and LEDs, see further)
- wire, not to thick.

tools:

- soldering iron
- glue gun
- dremel
- small drill
- sharp knife
- screwdrivers
...you know, the usual stuff.

Comments

[dirfan]

wow !!!!!!! ..... im gonna try tht ........

[kdcsatx]

do you think it would be possible to do this witht a macbook keyboard...does anyone know of a keyboard that i can buy for a macbook that illuminates?

[Kajnjaps]

I'm not sure, since I don't have a macbook. but if you decide to do this yourself, it is better to use 3mm LEDs or even SMDs and not 5mm's as I did.

[kdcsatx]

i found 3mm high flux leds's they're kinda flat so possibly i can kinda inlay them throughout the keyboard

[Redgerr]

could work, im possitiv it will void any warrenty you have though

[tanmanknex]

I have this exact keyboard (or at least a very similar one) and i modded it to Dvorak.  In Dvorak, because the keys from different rows are different heights, it has a nice wavy three dimensional effect.

[bowmaster]

Cool, good idea for people who can't afford real gaming keyboards.

[tubanator-2.0]

looks awesome may have to do this when i get the parts and will be awesome for gaming at night when i cant see the keys and might put one in my mouse.

[Kajnjaps]

Thanks!

have Fun,
Kajnjaps

[DanCat]

Dude, this is really cool. Im doing this and am planning on adding a layer of aluminum foil underneath the LEDs. Totally cool.

[Kajnjaps]

thanks, the aluminum foil is a great idea! have fun!

[Arbitror]

No it's not, use aluminum tape instead. It sticks my itself, and it's a lot more smooth (and flat)!

[eyebot117]

I'm curious. Could you use EL wire as the light source instead? Is there any way to make the light illuminate the charactars on the keys? I'd like to try this on one with flatter buttons (possibly using RGB LEDs).

[Kajnjaps]

you could try EL foil. it can be cut in all sizes. make sure upfront you can fit everything in the keyboard.

[eyebot117]

I thought they only made EL wire and panels... Does it glow on both sides? Here's why I ask-look at this picture: I had an idea for a CTF (Capture the Flag) set that you can see in the dark. Although you can't hide them well, it was made to be played in the woods at night (thought possibly not the safest activity). The trick is to get the cloth to glow.

[Kajnjaps]

I think they only glow on one side

[eyebot117]

That shouldn't be a problem...I'll just need two pieces back to back. I'd probably use white and have the color cloth of my choice covering it. Thx for your help

[zedlafa]

lol thats cool

[mweston]

I have a keyboard thats translucent, so if I align the LED's to shine "into" the frosted platic, it should illuminate the entire keyboard, kind of like how the lighting works in the back of an LCD screen.

[codongolev]

I really want a flat keyboard (ie, like a laptop's keyboard) but I can't find a place where it isn't a buttload of money. any suggestions?

[robots199]

well forget my mac keyboard idea. lol :P

[codongolev]

?

[shaphieh]

you can by a YAhoo keyboard for about $50

[Dorkfish92]

I have this one, it is pretty close to a laptop keyboard. Don't try removing the keys though like it says you can, they just break.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126022

[codongolev]

i'll look at it. thanks!

[TheCheese9921]

check tiger direct and Newegg, also try posting this in the forums

[codongolev]

hmm.... i'll try. also, do you know any keywords to type into ebay (ie, slim, thin flat)?

[Kajnjaps]

Maybe it is possible to rip one out of an old laptop? I'm not sure if the controller would be on the keyboard or the in the laptop itself.

[codongolev]

I only have one old laptop (windows 95, 10 minute battery life, 50 pounds) and I use it to play music. and I would also probably ruin the keyboard by taking it out.

[bomberman3]

I had the same exact idea and was about to post it in the burning questions forum when I came across this. Good job, 4/5.

[Kajnjaps]

Thanks! would be cool to do a keyboard with blue on one side and yellow on the other.