Introduction: Xkcdian SkiFree 'F' Key Pendant
This instructable was inspired by the alt-text on xkcd.com/667/ (hover for the alt-text). Fans of SkiFree will remember the Yeti...oh do we remember the Yeti. You skied and skied and skied, only to face this...well, this THING. An Angry Thing. Who wouldn't let you by, for reasons unknown and mattering little. Who knows how many hours of misspent youth were lost to the SkiFree boss?
Legend has it if you press "F" during this boss battle it accelerates you to the point where you can pass the Yeti. While it definitely does accelerate you, I cannot personally confirm that you can actually beat the Yeti but that is what they say. That is what this comic refers to. Update: I have outrun 'em for quite some time but never reached any kind of "end". :)
So, make your very own 'F' key pendant symbolizing...anything, really. Cheating death. Overcoming obstacles in life. Your 1337 gaming skillz. Undying affection, maybe? Whatever.
Some may say "Congratulations on drilling a hole in an F key." To which I say, Bah humbug! There is elegance in simplicity. Any designer worth his/her salt will tell you that complexity does not a good design make. Besides, half the fun is that it doesn't look like much to write home about unless you know about SkiFree/the comic.
(If you want to learn more about the game, or download it (runs in windows and works fine in wine), please see http://ski.ihoc.net/. If that doesn't work, try the google cached version. Legal downloads, yay!)
Step 1: Materials & Tools
Materials:
An 'F' key (duh).
Cord/wire to string it on (I used SoftTouch nylon beading wire).
Necklace clasp
Crimp beads
Tools:
Source of fire (I just lit a candle).
Small-diameter, sharp-tipped metal implement (I used a special xacto attachment).
Crimping pliers (I mislaid mine so I just used regular small pliers. It works, but be warned it's a bit trickier and you don't quite get the nice crimp you do from using the specialized pliers.)
Step 2: Putting It All Together
Using your source of flame, heat the poky metal instrument. Take your 'F' key and poke two holes in the top, equidistant from all sides and one another, and the same size. If there's a bit of soot or melted plastic making a mess take a piece of coarse sandpaper and give the surface a few good strokes.
Try to get the holes as exact as you can if you're using a string that doesn't have a lot of slack in it (the nylon wire has more "give" room when it hangs so it doesn't matter as much).
Thread the string through both holes. Then attach your clasp. If you're using crimping beads, put those on first, then the crimp, then thread the string back through the bead and crimp as shown in the pictures.
Be forewarned that few will know why on Terra you would have such a thing, they will assume it's an inside joke or maybe your name is Fred. Take courage; wear your xkcdian SkiFree 'F' pendant proudly, knowing that you have reached a level of esoteric few ever will ;-> !
95 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
Awesome! I'm definitely going to make one of these. Soon. Thank you.
11 years ago on Introduction
Awesome! Great idea! We have mede some too ,thanks for sharing!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Nice! Thanks for sharing your take - I love the little beads above it.
11 years ago on Step 2
thats sooo cool i am going to make one now could you use a drill??
Reply 11 years ago on Step 2
You mean to make the holes? Sure, if you have something to hold the key still and you have steady hands. Don't drill through your fingers. ;)
11 years ago on Introduction
Whaaaaaaaaaat? Someone please go back in time and tell 6 year old me.
13 years ago on Introduction
Hmmm, most normal people use a drill and fine grade sandpaper.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
When I read the bit about the candle, my first thought was "a blow torch would be quicker"!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
That was the attitude generally held by the scientists at the High Magnetic Field Laboratory here in Florida, when I volunteered there. I was assisting this really hilarious guy who was also a Doctor Who fan and that worked on the near-absolute-nil cryogenics chambers and worked the only experimental radar machine in the entire lab (which was mainly for educational purposes). I remember that we had an entire subterranean floor to myself, the other kid in the program (who was a lazy, worthless waste of space), and our assigned mentor. We were setting up a giant pendulum using nylon rope and aluminum sheets hung from supply pipes in the ceiling some 25-30 feet above, but the threads were frayed. The other kid sat there with his little cigarette lighter, trying to get it melted down without burning his hand. The mentor and I went off in opposite directions and both came back with blowtorches.
We also played with lasers, stole a DirecTV satellite dish in the pursuit of science, and had long talks about theoretical physics which utterly baffled the other kid.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Cool dude! Thanks for sharing.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Haha, a couple of weeks ago I was making CD hovercraft with my science clubbers.
When I got to the part of the instructions that said drill a hole in the bottle cap, they all got bunsen burners out heat up nails and melt the hole instead.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
It is a little bit more efficient than drilling, but I carry around a 4x12v serial circuit with uninsulated wire tips and a heatsink in case I need heat in high concentration, because it is less condemning to be found with some batteries, wire, and a hunk of metal on campus than a lighter or matches of some sort, and you never know when a bunsen burner or other fire source will be available. It has the advantages of discretion, speediness, and the ability to zap people if they are wet (it really really hurts, I have tried it on myself after a shower before, but also has the advantage over tazers and stunguns of discretion, and also doesn't risk fibrillating a heart or knocking someone out, but just hurts).
Still, fire is always more fun when it is avvailable
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Most normal people wouldn't even open this instructable if they knew what this was :P
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Didn't want to drill a hole in my hands.
And anyway haven't we already established I'm not normal? :P
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
and thus the need to hide all of the sharp pointy things.
12 years ago on Introduction
How I feel is kinda messed up, considering I can not wait until my keyboard dies. LOL
13 years ago on Introduction
Oi. My friend made fun of me because my "F" key is from a bubbletop depressor Dell keyboard instead of an older, contact-sensor IBM. Now I feel somewhat inadequate, though this particular friend is so lame that they don't even have an "F" key at all.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Actually, those old IBM keyboards should not be wasted only for an "F" key. You are doing great justice.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Tis' the spirit and not the form of the "F" key that matters. :P
12 years ago on Introduction
i made the necklace about a week ago, and instead i used the Ctrl,Alt,Delete,"J",and various other keys so that i could personalize the necklace to my likeing, i really enjoyed it, thanks for the inspiration! i also added wax to the inside of the key to give it some weight, but when that wears out, im going to replace it with some lead. it gives the key more weight so it doesn't flop around or turn.