Sugru IPhone Camera Remote With Lego Hand

For our Sugru build night at Phoenix Asylum, I decided to create a remote for my iPhone's camera. The remote is built from the headphones that were packaged with my iPhone. If you didn't know, the volume button on the headphones acts as a shutter release for your camera. This is a great way to take photos for selfies, time-lapse projects or perhaps a photobooth (coming soon). I used my remote to create my GIF project that required a steady camera. One of the speakers on my headphones stopped working so I've dedicated it as a shutter release. After creating several GIF projects, I felt that the headphones could be modified to work smoother as the volume buttons are pretty small.

WARNING - This project renders the headphones useless for listening to music.

REMIX! This project is also a remix for the REMIX Contest. I used projectsugru's Instructable: LEGO hands fit cables perfectly! I used a hand from one of my Lego Minifigures to hold the end of my cable to secure the wrap.

Items Needed:

Sugru (about half a pack) - purchase directly from Sugru
iPhone Headphones - (OEM) with volume control - eBay
Wire Clipper or Strong Scissors
Lego Minifigure hand - Lego Shop

Step 1: Preparing Your Remote

For this step, I decided that since the right speaker broke that I no longer needed it just hanging around. I trimmed off all the unneeded parts and the volume buttons still functioned properly.

Remove the earbuds with your wire clippers as shown in the photo.
Leave a bit of length of cable behind the volume button (as shown in photo #3).
Open your camera on your phone, insert the remote jack and press the volume button to test that all functions correctly.
Now that everything works properly, let's add the Sugru.

Step 2: Create a Grip With Sugru

This step shows how I created the grip for my camera remote. I formed it to fit my hand and added a trigger for comfort. I also added some extra Sugru to stiffen it up a bit. You have around 30 minutes to create your shapes before it hardens.

Refer to the photos for additional tips and pointers.

Open your packet of Sugru.
Knead it with your fingers for about 30 seconds. If you have several colors to work with, now is the time to combine them for effect.
Roll out a long piece and flatten it out. I used about 4 inches.
Place your remote in the Sugru as shown in photo #3.
Form your trigger and handle to fit your grip (photo #5).
Add your Lego Minifigure's hand to hold the cable when you wrap it for storage.
Add a bit more to help stiffen your cable.
Allow your Sugru to harden for 30 minutes or so.

There you go, you now have a professional quality iPhone camera remote cable. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them in the comment section below.

Step 3: Projects Created With My IPhone Camera Remote

I use an iPhone app to create GIF animations. I then use them for my Instructables to give my guides some added eye candy. I posted an Instructable detailing how I accomplish this, you can view it HERE.

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