Make A Lighted Name Plate Out Of Keyboard Keys

This Instructable will show all of you how to make a lighted name plate out of some scrap keyboard keys and a few electronics.

Let's get started!

Step 1 Supply List

Here is what you need to complete this project

-Some translucent computer keys, i found mine on an expensive microsoft keyboard broken in the trash
-a battery pack, i used a 2 AAA
-An LED, you could use more i assume, i just used one.
-a switch, so you can turn it off.
-a bit of wire, i used scrap wire
-an altoids tin, or similar tin

Comments

[greensteam]

I like the concept, not least because I am always looking out for more Keyboard repurposes to add to my list http://www.instructables.com/id/Cyberpunk_Cable_Necklace_101_Uses_for_a_dead_key/
However, although I have keys from about 30 different sorts of keyboards I have not come across your supercool translucent keys.

[Kasm279]

if you want transparent keys, you can pull ones off an old Apple USB keyboard or the Apple Pro keyboard, but these are black tinted (the newer ones (that shipped with the iMac G4) have white keys, but im not sure if they are translucent)

[lemonie]

On "some ideas for improvements", it would look neater to cut holes in the lid of the tin, and push the rectangular bottom bits of the keys in. As you suggest one LED each would be needed. It looks a bit messy as it is, but you could go with this theme by gluing more bits of junk on to it, so that it looks like a congealed lump of junk where the keys shine through? L