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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: BobbyTables on Sat, 25 January 2014, 16:12:25

Title: DIY Keyboard Magnets
Post by: BobbyTables on Sat, 25 January 2014, 16:12:25

I thought this was a neat idea to recycle old keycaps :)

Title: Re: DIY Keyboard Magnets
Post by: kmiller8 on Sat, 25 January 2014, 16:22:28

Or you know. Something like this

(http://i.imgur.com/QWRm9F0.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/OU3ilCx.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/jOqG3XT.jpg)

I 3D printed this one, but the success of these printing were like 1/10 so I didn't do any more and I contacted SP where they told me.... $3800 to get a custom mold, GB guys?

Title: Re: DIY Keyboard Magnets
Post by: kmiller8 on Sat, 25 January 2014, 16:47:43

And here's a guide for anyone to make their own with some spare MX stems :D

Things you need:
Dremel (or something for cutting)
Epoxy (I used superglue, epoxy would be better)
5mm x 1.5mm magnets (I used 3x1mm, they can hold up a keycap, but just barely)
MX Stems

Start with a MX stem
(http://i.imgur.com/ySMBEUE.jpg)

Shave off the "legs"
(http://i.imgur.com/azxLX6m.jpg)

Flatten the area for the magnet to stick
(http://i.imgur.com/EokI26W.jpg)

Like I said, if I'd do it again, 5mm magnets and epoxy
(http://i.imgur.com/k75YmAH.jpg)

Stuck pretty easily
(http://i.imgur.com/4IjAPqN.jpg)

Fits perfectly
(http://i.imgur.com/BX3ADpz.jpg)

Yey!
(http://i.imgur.com/eZPoU4B.jpg)

Title: Re: DIY Keyboard Magnets
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 25 January 2014, 18:13:03

You could do a lot less work if you have some MY keyboards... Just break the tabs that hold MY switch onto the plate off, and epoxy magnet. Done. It's not as if those keyboards are any good for typing or something... it's good to find alternate uses.

Title: Re: DIY Keyboard Magnets
Post by: kmiller8 on Sat, 25 January 2014, 18:13:41

Quote from: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 25 January 2014, 18:13:03

You could do a lot less work if you have some MY keyboards... Just break the tabs that hold MY switch onto the plate off, and epoxy magnet. Done.

yeah, but who has MY keyboards just... lying around

Title: Re: DIY Keyboard Magnets
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 25 January 2014, 18:14:47

I inevitable end up with them quite often... since they come along unwanted with cheap Cherry doubleshot sets.

Title: Re: DIY Keyboard Magnets
Post by: kmiller8 on Sat, 25 January 2014, 18:16:29

Quote from: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 25 January 2014, 18:14:47

I inevitable end up with them quite often... since they come along unwanted with cheap Cherry doubleshot sets.

Ship me a few ;)

srs tho, I'd have no problem making a bunch of these to just giveaway or something.

Title: Re: DIY Keyboard Magnets
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 25 January 2014, 19:46:41

I can send you a whole MY 1800 assembly. You can do the work to break them off.

Title: Re: DIY Keyboard Magnets
Post by: kmiller8 on Wed, 29 January 2014, 15:16:41

Made a few more with supplies on hand. This is why I plan on using bigger magnets :P

(http://i.imgur.com/lkGhWBC.jpg)