Introduction: DIY Glowing Mouse Pad

By

A Glowing mouse pad..

Step 1: Materials Needed

This informations and pictures belongs to an respective owner (Sent by my co-forum mate through email)

materials:
1. 10mm thick clear acrylic
2. 4pcs 3v 5mm blue led light
3. 4pcs 47ohms resistor
4. spare usb cable
5. heatshrinks
6. electrical tape
7. vinyl sticker
8. pencil
9. ruler
10. polishing compound

tools:
1. dremel with
1.a. cutting disk
1.b. drillbit attachement
1.c. polisher
2. files
3. soldering gun


NOTE: always wear an eyeglass for protection.

the pad works well with an optical mice

Step 2: Making the Acrylic

1. Create a desired design of your own by drawing in a small paper ( collective design ), as for myself, I drew it on computer using a vector progam, Adobe Illustrator, printed it out for use as a pattern.

2. Draw your design on your 10mm acrylic, still with sheet cover (do not remove it), or stick the printed pattern. One side is enough for the drawing.

3. Use your dremel, mine is 350D with flex-shaft attachement, using a drill bit to cut-cut off the design. Please use your safety goggles because it will be hot and scraps are flying wildy. You may end up with burnt skin too.

4. Pile the acrylic to give a smoother surface.

5. Use a torch, if necessary and if you have any, to melt the acrylic and it will give a shinny effect.

6. Check where will be your top area, drill a hole for your USB cable.

7. Make also an X pattern for your LEDs placement.

Step 3: The Electronics


Part 2 - Electronics

1. Prepare your spare USB cable, 4pcs 3v 5mm blue led light, and 4pcs 47ohms resistor. Tools to be use are cutter, electrical tape, heat shrinks, soldering gun & iron.
2. cut one end of the usb cable (usually the female), separate the four (4) strands of wire, you will use only wire 1 & 4, red is 5V and black is ground. See diagram below:

Click at this link: http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2189/picture2dc9.png

3. As for the LED light, solder one 47ohms resistor to either one of the positive or negative 'stems'(i don't know the right term), use some heat shinks to vacuum & protect it, you may or you may not use heat shrinks, it's your choice. Do the same for the three remaining LEDs.
4. Connect all positive & negative lines separately, NEVER TOGETHER then test it. Connect it on your computer. If all is properly lit and not blinking, secure everything with electrical tape.

and that's it, you have a diy glowing mousepad.

good luck noob!....

Step 4: Congratulations!

You made your Glowing Mouse Pad... Plug it in your USB port and enjoy your mouse pad...

Credits and Thanks to Sir PARUSA... :)