Make Your Own Roll-Up Keyboard

Have you ever wanted one of those pricy roll up keyboard but didn't want to spend the money? Here is a quick and dirty way to make your own.

Step 1: Tools & Materials

For this project you will need:

1 USB Keyboard
1 Screw driver with interchangable bits
Handful of small project sized nuts and bolts

Step 2: Deconstruction

Using the screwdriver deconstruct the keyboard.

Step 3: More Deconstruction:

Remove the keyboard's membrane switch pad and control board. The membrane consists of 3 separate layers tacked together.

Step 4: Assembly:

Using the rubber pad, plate and nuts & bolts, reassemble the membrane to the control board. Make sure that the traces of the membrane line up with the traces on the control board. If your keyboard had a socket and ribbon cable just reinsert the cable and you ready to label the keys.

Step 5: Complete:

After the long process of labeling the keys you are now ready to use your roll up flexible keyboard. Using a text editor check to make sure all your keys function. HINT: to save time label only the keys you use most, or learn to touch type :)

Comments

[schumi23]

Anyone know if this coul dbe done with a laptop keyboard? not USB/PSP (has ribbon cable) OK, my question is more of "are there any adapters that exist?

[j4jackj]

It is a PS/2 keyboard. But do not try to make a rollerup keyboard out of it. IT WILL FAIL.

[pjain7]

can this be done with a ps/2 keyboard???
actually i thought about this some time ago.. searched it on the net but could not find this..

[ghmagm]

YES YOU CAN! I looked it up and found a schematic! However, its quite complicated.... The 6 pins on the ps/2 each have different purposes as you may know. 4 of them are exactly like the usb. So basically, this is the usb ====.
under the first "=" that is connector/line 4. the second = is 3 and so on. on the ps/2, the plastic should be on the top. the whole entire left side is going to be used.the very top one is going to 3 on usb, the middle to 4, and the bottom to 1. on the right side, the middle is going to 2. The final connects(soldering) is gonna be fun XD GOod luck!

[dlavie1]

Yap it also works.
It's not about the Plug. It's just about the membrane.
PS/2 and USB are the same (most of the time)

Greetings

[freakyqwerty]

Does anyone know if a dogy keyboard short circuits whether It will ruin a laptop/computer or not?

[ultralegomaster5096]

I won't save it, keyboards cost like $15 these days, and a used one might be even less...

[darkria 45]

what if you put a thin platic or silicone coating on this?

[LinuxH4x0r]

Cool! Now I have to get around to making my metal keyboard...

[HotPinkBulb]

metal keyboard?? man get it done! thats the kinda thing we wanna see.

[ElvenChild]

apple keyboard with metal keys would be awesome

[alvincredible]

amen, brotha!

[LinuxH4x0r]

But copper is so damn expensive! (I'll try to do it this summer if I'm not too busy)

[HotPinkBulb]

copper? what about aluminium? tho if you do use copper u could always use 2p coins. (if in uk that is)

[Plasmana]

Uhh, the newer 2p coins are copper plated steel... However, the older ones should be almost pure copper. ^{You can test the difference by using a magnet.}

[LinuxH4x0r]

Sure! I'll use them if you can make them into sheets for me! I'll just bite the bullet and get some.

[Plasmana]

What about copper tape?

[firelord88]

or you could just go to a computer store pick up a roll out one for $15

[Redgerr]

thats 15$ more than you need to spend if you happen to have a keyboard laying around... its also cooler if you said you built it yourself and it works! thats my opinion anyhow

[ipwnuall2]

hahaha boned.... Just Kidding! ;)