Introduction: Steampunk Finger Stylus
I use a touchpad GPS regularly at work and lost the pen stylus a long time ago; it was inconvenient anyway trying to hold the stylus, GPS unit, and drive an ATV at the same time. So I made some finger stylussss?Stylii? from old water jug handles for work. For this Instructable I added some extra parts for fun Steampunk styling.
*update: This was used for pressure responsive touch screens like a Nintendo DS; to make this work for capacitive screens I would suggest adding a conductive coating like copper foil tape.
Step 1: Cut Handle Out of Water Jug
This is simple, just cut out a small section from the handle of the jug. Slip it over your finger and use a marker to draw a shape to make a pointer. Cut out the shape of the stylus pointer with some scissors.
Step 2: Plain Stylus Finish
Briefly hold the tip of the stylus in a flame to round it and keep it from being scratchy.
That's it for a plain finger stylus. Go to the next step to Steampunk it.
Step 3: Paint and Hot Glue Extra Stuff
Getting a sense of Steampunk style takes a little intuition and internet browsing for ideas. Steam water tanks, brass, copper, rivets, hoses, gears, adjustment screws, leather, and levers come to mind when I think of this design style.
I spray painted a base coat of silver onto the stylus; then I added some gold Victorian style picture frame stickers from the hobby store sticker section. Finally, with hot glue I added some circuit board components and a brass screw.

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209 Discussions
8 years ago on Introduction
Ok, Does this work? It does not make sense. A standard stylus is metal with a special rubber tip. It uses the electricity from your body (your hand) and makes connection to the screen to work.
I have taken them apart and put the rubber tip on a plastic pen and it would not work. it has to be metal.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Honda, this is already dated somewhat; older touchscreens are more pressure sensitive rather than conductive like on most screens today ;)
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Ah I see. I was wondering.
I wonder if you got some of the rubber tips from stylist pens and put on the tip and ran a wire from it to your finger if it would work.
I'll see what I can do and let you know. :)
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Conductive paint.
Reply 4 years ago
pour faire de la peinture conductrice mélanger reste charbon de bois de BBQ avec de la colle à papier peint
.to make the conductive paint mix remains charcoal BBQ with wallpaper glue
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Never heard of it.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
http://store.sbs4dcc.com/metaylor18silverconductivepaint.aspx
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Cool. thanks :)
4 years ago
nice idea
5 years ago
That is really cool....
5 years ago
These are really cool! i made one for each finger lol
5 years ago on Step 3
wow.... AWESOME!!! N n
5 years ago on Introduction
I love it! I made one but I'm not even going to bother posting pictures... I had to use sharpie instead of paint.
7 years ago on Introduction
to all the talk of conductive paint:
why not just make it out of metal?
preferably brass to keep with the steampunk thing
Reply 5 years ago on Introduction
metal on the touch surface?
6 years ago on Introduction
You have the best game for the DS ever! the final castle is so fun
6 years ago
is that works for phone?
6 years ago
Awesome! Gonna make one. Where can you find those stickers?
6 years ago on Introduction
http://www.markrichardsusa.com/products/stickers/peel-offs/
7 years ago
If I want this to work and I use conductive paint, do I need a special tip?