Introduction: Curiously Strong and Wireless Usb Mouse
Well it hasn't been too long since I made my wired Altoids mouse. I just picked up a logitech LX7 mouse for nothing and decided I don't need another regular mouse.
Step 1: Materials
I've done everything in an office setting. (yes this is a child of boredom)
Tape (I used scotch tape and white foam tape if you have electrical tape use it!)
Altoids Tin
Logitech LX7 mouse (could use another kind if you are good at adapting)
Small piece of foam board
Small piece of cardboard
Sharpies
Box cutter
Craft knife
AAA batteries (This normally uses AA but for space concerns AAA will fit better)
Step 2: Disassembly: the Beginning
Time to take off those pads on the bottom of the mouse as well as the battery cover. You will see a screw under each pad and 2 screws in the battery compartment. Make sure you save your pads because you can use them on your mouse.
Step 3: Disassembly 2: Disembowelment
Be careful when you are pulling the top off because the 2 buttons are attached with wires to the top.
There is a small screw on the top to remove to get the LED thing off and be able to pull the chip out. There are just 2 little clips that push back easy to get the chip free. After this you can go to the mouse main board and pull out the 6 pin white connector and it will release the top fully.
With a little bit of prying you can pop out the battery compartment. I am not going to use it because it will not fit but the connector will save me some time on soldering. I am going to save that however for future projects.
Step 4: Disassembly: One Wheel to Rule Them All
This time around I want the scroll wheel on the mouse. Last time it just wasn't feasible with the mouse I used for parts.
Take out the single screw in front of the mouse. This will make the bottom housing fall off of the board. Make sure you save this screw you will use it. Pick up the bottom housing and use the box cutter to cut off the screw hole the screw you just removed was in. It was easiest for me to just use pliers and the screw driver to get this back together. Don't torque it too much or you will strip it. For added stability I put a tiny bit of glue on the end.
Step 5: Measurements
I traced the tin to get a basic on where I am putting the board. The optics measure 1cmc3cm with 2 little notches. I offset it 1.5cm over and 2 cm up from the bottom left corner of the tin (easier to see in the picture). Then I cut out my trace and the hole to be cut and affixed it temporarily to the bottom so I could mark the bottom with a sharpie to cut.
Step 6: Cut It!
I cut down the middle length-wise to be able to peel it back. The more accurate you are with this means the prettier your end product will be.
Step 7: Insulation
Cut the small piece of cardboard to this shape to put into the bottom of the mouse to prevent contact with the metal. This also helps snug up the optics a bit.
Step 8: Lining It Up
With folding back the metal it made it somewhat uneven inside. I used some of the foam tape to level out the piece of cardboard so the board will lay flat inside. The two holes were put in for the power and reset buttons. They can be pushed with a pen or paper clip.
Step 9: Top Cut
To decide where to put the split for the 2 buttons I took the top off the tin and lined it up with the wheel in place. I had to cut and bend then try the top on a few times before I had it so the wheel had enough room to be functional.
Step 10: Button Up
I put a small piece of foam board on each of the buttons. I tacked it lightly with super glue to keep it in place then I put a bent paper clip on top of each piece for easier clicking.
Step 11: Battery
The original AA batteries and housing weren't going to fit no matter what. So I cut the wires to use the plug and made a AAA pack with masking tape and metal from the old housing. In the second picture it shows the basics on making the pack.
Step 12: FIN!
Plug the battery in and you are good to go I used the top 2 spare buttons with LED for a battery check to make sure I was getting power.
All that is left is to plug in the USB dongle and rock out.
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31 Comments
11 years ago on Introduction
I saw your instructable when checking that mine was okay...does yours work?
13 years ago on Introduction
rule # 1. Duck tape is better for any job. rule # 2. Everything looks better in an altoids can. rule # 3. When in doubt, hot glue. rule # 4. A LED will always make your instructable better. i'm not sure what the others are......
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
rule # 5 never use painters tape.
rule # 6 Always keep a lighter handy... In case your glue gun or soldering iron breaks.
rule # 7 The worse it looks the better it works!
13 years ago on Introduction
rule # 5 never use painters tape.
rule # 6 Always keep a lighter handy... In case your glue gun or soldering iron breaks.
rule # 7 The worse it looks the better it works!
14 years ago on Introduction
Might I ask what the purpose of this mod is????????????
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Dude! Number 1 rule of Insructables! Everything is better in an altoids case!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
nonono.. that's rule number TWO... rule number one is every thing is better with duct tape (or duck tape depending on what kind you have)
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
then whats number three?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
hrm I would say #3: when in doubt use hot glue
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
someone needs to make a list of all of them.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Forgive me for answering your question with a question. Why not?
14 years ago on Introduction
Cool. But I was hoping that having done everything in an office setting, this might be stuffed with Blu-Tac... Being inside a metal box might block the radio communication between the mouse and USB dongle (wrapping mine in thin foil just now did make the response poorer). Since you don't say it: does this mouse actually work? L
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Yea I never tried more than a few feet. I didn't really have any problem using it. At the moment I am working on a better one in a non office setting. Big lots sells a mini wireless mouse for 15$ that I am getting friday to give it a go.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Top! L
14 years ago on Introduction
wow thats just......................................................................AWESOME
14 years ago on Introduction
Pretty cool but with a dremel you could have mad the cuts a little more precise. Good work though
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
i kinda like the way the cuts are.... it looks kind of beaten up... lol
14 years ago on Introduction
Curiously strong hey ;-)
I wonder if that will help my RSI ;-)
PCBPolice Electronics Forum - we need some users....please!....don't make me beg!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
huh?
14 years ago on Introduction
If you had a wireless mouse and were okay without having a scroll wheel (or maybe just putting it on the side) it would be sweet. It would just look like any other altoids box.