Steampunk Mouse

 I am fascinated by steampunk for quite a while and kept looking at all these great pictures and creations.
Unfortunately nowhere could I find in-detail instructions how to modify a computer mouse in that manner. What I saw was always the finished product. 
Finally I said, I can do that too and help those who are looking for some advice and a guideline, like I did not to long ago.
This said, enjoy my first instructable. Comments, positive criticism and an exchange of ideas is greatly welcome.

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Visit my my Steampunk Keyboard and NEW NEW NEW Steampunk Monitor

Step 1: Preface

I had a few tools, a nice basement to work in and being kind of a packrat should help too. Not to forget a good friend with a full equipped workshop who would help me if everything else would fail.

Unfortunately I didn't have any old mice laying around so I ordered two cheap ones ($5) from the Internet just in case I ruined one.....

Tools used:
My beloved Craftsman mini drill with all kinds of attachments
Set of screwdrivers
Set of sandpaper 120 - 600
Hand-me-down drill press
Vise
Soldering iron
Assorted pliers (needle nose almost a must)
Metal files
Hack and coping saw
Propane torch

Materials used:
1  optical USB mouse with scroll wheel
1/2" copper pipe and assorted fittings and connectors
Brasstubes in different sizes (1/16, 3/32, 1/8, 3/16)
Copper wire remants you may have laying around (gauge 16,14,12,10)
Brass screws (No 6 and 8)
Marbles (Dollar store)
Styrene (1/32" = old poster from the post office)
LED's ( I got 100 white 13.000mcd with matching resistors for 5V for about $6 online , I might not use them all but compared to Radio Shack ....)
Whatever parts and pieces you might find laying around)

Costs, depending on what you have  $20-40

Of course I made several trips to my nearest hardware store and hobby shop and acquired necessary materials and also tools I was missing; that always happens when I tackle a new project ...

Pictures are not always in chronological order, rather to show certain steps in fabricating the mouse.
Manufacturing the steampunk mouse is more conceptual, exact implementation is left to you dear reader.
Read the whole Instructable before you start with your project.
Wear protective equipment, especially safety goggles! Copper and brass parts will become VERY hot when soldering, grinding and polishing so let them cool before you touch them; cutting can/will leave sharp edges so be careful when holding them. Try to find ways to hold these little pieces securely or they will go flying through your workshop and you may spend hours finding a piece you spent hours on fabricating.
Use common sense. (I know that's difficult.)
In case everything goes wrong use it as paper weight or with about 14 oz. it makes a frightening weapon swung on it's cord.