Apple Puck-mouse/keyboard Coat Rack
by stuporglue in Circuits > Apple
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Apple Puck-mouse/keyboard Coat Rack
Got a couple of those awful Apple puck-mice in your closet? It's time to make a coat rack. Construction time is ~2 hours, plus glue drying time.
You'll need:
two puck mice
two pieces of dowel (1 to 1.5 inches, your choice)
four wood screws
two mounting screws (preferably black)
adhesive that works on plastic
2 washers with holes smaller than the head of the wood screws
some masking tape
A drill
A dremel or other rotary tool is helpfull
A razor blade or sharp knife
You'll need:
two puck mice
two pieces of dowel (1 to 1.5 inches, your choice)
four wood screws
two mounting screws (preferably black)
adhesive that works on plastic
2 washers with holes smaller than the head of the wood screws
some masking tape
A drill
A dremel or other rotary tool is helpfull
A razor blade or sharp knife
Prepare Parts
The image shows what you're trying to make. To get there, we first need to prepare all the parts.
Dowel:
1) Cut the dowel pieces to the size you'd like. The pieces I used was about 3/4 inch thick, and were 1.25 inches long. We need to be able to wrap the cord all the way around the dowel and have about 2 inches extra (one on either end).
2) Drill starter holes for the wood screws so the dowels don't split. One hole in the center of the dowel on each end. Cut a groove the diameter of the mouse cords on the bottom of the dowel. It should start at one edge of the circumference and travel at an angle about 1/2 to the center.
Cords:
Cut the cords from the mice and keyboards. Cut them as close to each end as you can. You won't need the USB ends, and you don't want any wire sticking out of the hardware ends. Save the cords.
Mouse ball:
We'll need a little space inside the mouse, but we still want the ball in there since it's visible from the other side. Take the ball out of the mouse, and use a razor or sharp knife to cut an end off. Cut off less than 1/2. You should be able to slide the metal ball out of the mouse ball, and have a hollow rubber shell.
Bottom of mouse:
The bottom screw in circle from the mouse should be removed. Glue a washer centered over the hole of the bottom. (see image) Let the glue dry.
Keyboard:
1) Decide where you want to position the mice. Drill a hole all the way through the keyboard at this point. The hole should allow the wood screw to get through without cracking the keyboard.
2) Drill a second set of holes on the back next to the mouse mounting holes. The second set of holes is to hide the end of the mouse cord in, so it should have the same diameter as the mouse cord, and should be close enough to the mouse mounting holes, that the dowel will cover it.
3) Remove the black screws on the back of the keyboard from next to the USB ports. Enlarge the holes such that a) the wall mounting screws can fit through, and b) the heads of the wall mounting screws will be sunken into the back. (see image)
Dowel:
1) Cut the dowel pieces to the size you'd like. The pieces I used was about 3/4 inch thick, and were 1.25 inches long. We need to be able to wrap the cord all the way around the dowel and have about 2 inches extra (one on either end).
2) Drill starter holes for the wood screws so the dowels don't split. One hole in the center of the dowel on each end. Cut a groove the diameter of the mouse cords on the bottom of the dowel. It should start at one edge of the circumference and travel at an angle about 1/2 to the center.
Cords:
Cut the cords from the mice and keyboards. Cut them as close to each end as you can. You won't need the USB ends, and you don't want any wire sticking out of the hardware ends. Save the cords.
Mouse ball:
We'll need a little space inside the mouse, but we still want the ball in there since it's visible from the other side. Take the ball out of the mouse, and use a razor or sharp knife to cut an end off. Cut off less than 1/2. You should be able to slide the metal ball out of the mouse ball, and have a hollow rubber shell.
Bottom of mouse:
The bottom screw in circle from the mouse should be removed. Glue a washer centered over the hole of the bottom. (see image) Let the glue dry.
Keyboard:
1) Decide where you want to position the mice. Drill a hole all the way through the keyboard at this point. The hole should allow the wood screw to get through without cracking the keyboard.
2) Drill a second set of holes on the back next to the mouse mounting holes. The second set of holes is to hide the end of the mouse cord in, so it should have the same diameter as the mouse cord, and should be close enough to the mouse mounting holes, that the dowel will cover it.
3) Remove the black screws on the back of the keyboard from next to the USB ports. Enlarge the holes such that a) the wall mounting screws can fit through, and b) the heads of the wall mounting screws will be sunken into the back. (see image)
Attach and Wrap Dowels
Follow these steps for both of the dowels and holes, of course.
Insert a mouse cord into the mouse cord hole drilled in step 1.
Place adhesive on the keyboard end of the dowel, and place it such that a) the pre-drilled screw hole lines up with the wood screw hole in the keyboard and b) so that the groove in the bottom allows the mouse cord to come up from the bottom.
Screw the dowel tight to the keyboard.
Lightly coat the dowel in adhesive, then wrap the mouse cord tightly up the sides of the dowel. Once you reach the top, you can use masking tape to hold the cord to the dowel until the glue dries.
At the point where the cord begins to be higher than the top of the dowel, cut another groove. Snip the mouse cord so that there is about an inch of cord higher than the top of the dowel. Slice this portion of the cord, then cut the wires from it.
Wait for the glue to dry before proceeding.
Insert a mouse cord into the mouse cord hole drilled in step 1.
Place adhesive on the keyboard end of the dowel, and place it such that a) the pre-drilled screw hole lines up with the wood screw hole in the keyboard and b) so that the groove in the bottom allows the mouse cord to come up from the bottom.
Screw the dowel tight to the keyboard.
Lightly coat the dowel in adhesive, then wrap the mouse cord tightly up the sides of the dowel. Once you reach the top, you can use masking tape to hold the cord to the dowel until the glue dries.
At the point where the cord begins to be higher than the top of the dowel, cut another groove. Snip the mouse cord so that there is about an inch of cord higher than the top of the dowel. Slice this portion of the cord, then cut the wires from it.
Wait for the glue to dry before proceeding.
Attach Mouse Bottoms to Dowels
Apply a blob of adhesive to the top of the dowel.
Screw the mouse bottoms into the tops of the dowels until there is about 1/8 of an inch of space between the dowel and the mouse bottom.
Use a knife or screwdriver to wedge the empty plastic part of the mouse cord up the groove and under the mouse bottom.
!!! This is important as it will determine the final orientation of the top of the mouse!!!
Tighten the screw until the mouse bottom can barely move. Turn the mouse bottom until the Apple logo on the sticker is facing the top of the keyboard.
Tighten the screw completely. Let dry.
Meanwhile...
Use clear glue to position the rubber part of the mouse ball inside the top of the mouse. Let dry.
Screw the mouse bottoms into the tops of the dowels until there is about 1/8 of an inch of space between the dowel and the mouse bottom.
Use a knife or screwdriver to wedge the empty plastic part of the mouse cord up the groove and under the mouse bottom.
!!! This is important as it will determine the final orientation of the top of the mouse!!!
Tighten the screw until the mouse bottom can barely move. Turn the mouse bottom until the Apple logo on the sticker is facing the top of the keyboard.
Tighten the screw completely. Let dry.
Meanwhile...
Use clear glue to position the rubber part of the mouse ball inside the top of the mouse. Let dry.
Mount Mice, Mount Coat Hangar
Once the mouse bottoms are dry, you should be able to screw the tops of the mice onto them. With the mice in place, mount the coat hangar on a door or wall, or wherever your SO will let you.
Hang your coats with pride!
Hang your coats with pride!