I had the idea of making a pointing device shaped like a pen, so I combined a mouse with a wooden stick. It was messed up, but much better at drawing pictures! 
What you need:
Cheap mouse (any kind will do)
glue
soldering stuff
screwdriver
 
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Step 1:

DSCN3088.JPG
 Take the mouse apart. There are usually little screws on the bottom. If you take all the screws out and it still doesn''t come apart, look under the stickers. Leave the circuits on. Just take the top off.
Lance Mt. says: Jun 4, 2010. 4:18 AM
Potential.
Kryptonite says: Jun 4, 2010. 4:20 AM
Definitely.
Lance Mt. says: Jun 6, 2010. 5:18 AM
Well... I've seen Microsoft Ball mice for $2 AU, and i'm buying a gigabyte GHOST mouse there. Might pick one up and give this a try. I think Ball mouse will work better and I'll try and compact it entirely to a pen-like structure. http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_697_698&products_id=12375
ANDY! (author) says: Jun 6, 2010. 6:42 PM
have fun. there are two wheels with slots that spin with the ball ,and those are hard to move around.
Kryptonite says: Jun 7, 2010. 5:12 AM
That's what I was thining would be the hardest bit.
Lance Mt. says: Jun 11, 2010. 12:14 AM
Ok, what if i just cut the mold to my likings? So i'll essentially have a circle of the mouse left? No?
Kryptonite says: Jun 11, 2010. 6:05 AM
That's an idea... To be honest I'm not really skilled with mice, but it'd be awesome if you did it!
Lance Mt. says: Jun 18, 2010. 7:47 PM
Its only $2. I'll give it a go. I'll post results.
ohforgodssake says: May 31, 2012. 3:50 PM
I would definitely choose an optical mouse over a ball mouse if you want to make a pen like thingy. The ball and associated little wheels and axles don't lend themselves well to any further miniaturization.
Kryptonite says: Jun 6, 2010. 6:37 AM
I'm not sure, I've never taken apart a mouse before. From the little I have seen, yes, it does seem a simple ball mouse would make an easier compact, vertical set up.
osama_ says: Jun 24, 2010. 11:23 PM
Very good, I want to add some enhancements: - Use a laptop mouse rather than the normal one, laptop mice are much smaller - Remove the chassis of the mouse and make your own smaller one - Remove the original mouse keys and fix them to the pencil. You can fix small pieces of metal on the top of the keys to make pressing them easier.
ANDY! (author) says: Jun 18, 2010. 10:08 PM
if someone is really good with electronics, they can take the optical sensor out of a optical mouse and put it at the end of a pen.
ppatches24 says: Jun 16, 2010. 7:52 PM
simple and really smart cool idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANDY! (author) says: Jun 6, 2010. 6:39 PM
not as sensitive though
Lance Mt. says: Jun 11, 2010. 12:25 AM
Its only hardware. Software tweaks will be needed, such as Changing the sensitivity in the OS. I think it is possible, I'll get back to you when I'm done.
MrZim4 says: Jun 10, 2010. 9:34 PM
I love it. I'll try it out tonight.
tranoxx says: Jun 9, 2010. 3:26 PM
great idea!!
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