Make a Desktop Scorpion (using a Dead Mouse and Clips)

So you broke the mouse of your office's computer. SHAME ON YOU! Don't you know you must care for the company's assets?

What? Will you throw the mouse to the garbage can? DOUBLE SHAME! The mouse will polute the environment!!!


Well, no problem! I will show you a way to transform that dead mouse into an useful and decorative accesory for your desktop. You will need some paperclips and other stuff for transforming that mouse into a scorpion with magnet for keeping the clips and pincers for the notes.

Step 1: Materials

You will need:

• 1 dead mouse
• 10 paper clips (In Colombia, we call this kind of clips "Butterfly Clips")
• 3 screws
• 3 nuts
• 3 packing rings (the metallic ones)
• 3 pincers (like the kind you use in electronics)
• 1 magnet

TOOLS
Dremel Rotary Tool
tweezers
screwdrivers
pliers
Wire cutters


And don't forget:

1. If you don't have it, replace it!
2. Use protective equipment (dust mask and goggles)
3. Beware of drilled and soldered hot surfaces
4. Work in a good ventilated area.
5. Always have junk in stock
6. Enjoy!

Step 2: The Legs

Bend the clips on the way indicated on the pictures. Make eight legs. Cut them in the point indicated.

Step 3: Hacking the Mouse

Open the mouse. Use a sonic screwdriver. If you don't have one or you don't know how to use it, use a normal screwdriver.

Keep the circuits and the wire. You will need the upper circuit. Ypu can use the bottom circuit and the wire for another project.

In the bottom part of the mouse case, drill 14 holes:

• 8 for the legs
• 2 for the pincers
• 1 for the tail
• 3 for the screws where you will fasten the clips

Step 4: Fasting Legs, Arms and Tail

Carefully (you could break the mouse), insert the clips in every hole and fasten them in this order:

Front screw: pincers clip, first pair of legs.
Center screw: second and third pair of legs.
Back screw: fourth pair of legs and tail clip.

Step 5: Scorpion's Back

Remember the upper circuit I told you to keep? Well, remove it and insert the magnet. Now, fasten the circuit again. Check the magnet is strong enough for attracting clips across the mouse plastic case.

Now, join the upper and the bottom parts of the mouse.

Step 6: Pincers and Stinger

Remove the rubber cover of the electric pincers.

Bend the end of arms and tail and insert the pincers. Adjust carefully using pliers. If the pincers are a little loose, use a bit of superglue.

Now, you have your Desktop Scorpion!

Step 7: Other Models

If you want something more stylized, change the arms and tail clips with covered copper wire, and the legs clips with iron pieces for picture frames. You can make your very own swarm of scorpions!