Mouse Pen

Intro: Mouse Pen

 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

STEP 1:

 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.

STEP 2: Mess With the Circuits

 Some parts are not nessacary, like the scroll wheel, and should be taken out. It gets in the way.
It also makes a good spot to put a stick in.

STEP 3: Clicking Buttons

 You can put the left button on the pen. Just find the bottom solder parts the switch is connected to, or use pliers to rip the switch out. Solder another switch with two longer wires. Do not solder over any other connections!

STEP 4: Add the Stick

 Carve a small stick that fits in your hand comfortably. It is a good idea to file down a rectangular block of wood, so you can attach a hinge to the bottom of the mouse. The hinge allows the user to shift his or her wrist angles. Stick the switch on a good spot of the stick where you can press it without getting in the way of writing. Stick the hinge to a uncluttered spot of the mouse base. 

STEP 5:

 This is a crude, but awesome tool for drawing. Perhaps a better pen in the future!

Comments

[iamjuanstudent]

wow..thanks for the idea.
I have modified my mouse.
thanks to u.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zx5VFm6T8M&feature=youtu.be

[Lance Mt.]

Potential.

[Kryptonite]

Definitely.

[Lance Mt.]

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!]

have fun. there are two wheels with slots that spin with the ball ,and those are hard to move around.

[Kryptonite]

That's what I was thining would be the hardest bit.

[Lance Mt.]

Ok, what if i just cut the mold to my likings? So i'll essentially have a circle of the mouse left? No?

[Kryptonite]

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.]

Its only $2. I'll give it a go. I'll post results.

[nonobadog]

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]

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_]

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!]

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]

simple and really smart cool idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ANDY!]

not as sensitive though

[Lance Mt.]

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]

I love it. I'll try it out tonight.

[tranoxx]

great idea!!