Introduction: Makey Makey Dial With Push Button

The goal of this project is to create a Makey Makey dial out of some cardboard construction with an arcade push-button.

Supplies

  • Makey Makey with USB cable
  • Jumper wires
  • Push-button
  • Cardboard box
  • Toilet paper roll
  • Alligator clips
  • Glue gun
  • pliers (optional)
  • Exacto knife

Step 1: Materials

The goal of this project is to create a recycled dial with a push button in a cardboard box.

While these ideas are suggestions on materials -

Step 2: Adding the Button.

Using the pencil to draw a template for the button. Place the template on the right-hand side about in the half-way mark.

Using the Exacto knife cut a hole for the button to be placed in.

Step 3: Adding the Dial

First, I use the small cardboard tube as a template to cut a hole in the top of the cardboard box, and then placed the tube in the hole to ensure a good fit.

Then I removed the tube and hooked the paperclip to the top of the cardboard tube and play-dough container to the top of the tube. The paper clip was a little long so I cut off a little bit, you might need this little bit later in the project.

Step 4: Wiring the Makey Makey

Since the Makey Makey and all the wires are inside the cardboard box, you want to cut a small hole in the back of the box to allow the USB cable to go from the Makey Makey to the computer.

Step 5: Wire the Push Button

The push button is the easier part to wire since there are no moving parts. You just need to connect one of the jumper wires to Earth and one of the legs on the button and another wire from W to the other leg. I added a drop of hot glue to help the connect be stable since I opened and close the box a lot during the dial testing phase.

Step 6: Wiring the Dial

The dial consists of a the moving paper clip on the underside of the top and the connections on the bottom of the box.

I used ASDFG as my connections, but you can use how many you need for your project.

For the paperclip connection, I used a jumper wire connected to an alligator clip which is taped to the top of the box and then clipped to a small metal ring (I cut this from the paper clip in the previous step).

The other connections, I connected them to ASDFG and then taped along the bottom of the box and into a circle under where the dial was. This part was the hardest because you have to place them when the box in closed. There was a lot of trial and error, but finally got it. After the jumper wires are placed, I place a cut piece of toilet paper tube to help the end of stand straight up so that as the paper clip was turning it would touch the exposed wire.

Step 7: Connect to Computer

Now that you have a completed Makey Makey Dial and button you can use this in any projects you want.

I have a few ideas for projects here.