Hello All,
I really wanted my own Ducky Keychain which have been doing the rounds on GH and OCN, they are quite hard to buy, and the only place i found where you could get them was from tigerimports.net and even then that was for a limited number ( they only had 30 ), about a year ago!
Here's what i wanted to achieve, or as close to it as possible:
So i thought to myself, how could i make it? I bought a Cherry MX Blue keyswitch and began to work out how I was going to produce something which resembles the key chain.
So, Let's Being.
Time required: 30 Minutes - 1 Hour.
THINGS YOU WILL NEED.
1) Cherry MX Switch - I used a Blue, but any variety will work obviously.
2) An FX key from a Membrane keyboard - I went for the F keys on my old Belkin membrane board because they were the tallest, big enough to house the switch. You want to ensure the key you use is wide enough at the base ( the face with writing on ) to accommodate the switch. Don't worry what's on the inside; we'll be cutting that out anyway!
3) Dremel with filing attachment - I prefer using the filing attachment as I could have alot more precision with it, especially getting into the innards of the key cap.
4) * Optional* Any Grit Sand Paper - I wanted my base to have a 'rough' feel to it, so i used coarse sand paper, any grit would work the same, or you might not need it at all.
5) Work Bench / vice - Something to hold your key in place when dremeling.
*Not Pictured*
6) Super Glue
7) The hoop / string Ducky uses are called "Phone String", you can find many on Amazon and the like.
STEP 1: Prepping the Base.
You want to have the inside of your old key completely clear, allowing space for the switch to be housed in.
You'll start off with this:
Then, using the dremel you want to clear the "stalk" off it, i just filed it down from the top all the way to the bottom, ensuring you smooth out the bottom of the base.
At the end of this you should have something like this:
Here's a quick size comparison between the old key, and your newly cut one:
After this, if you want to go for a rough, textured look for your base then start sanding the base. Not alot is needed, and be careful you don't sand too much to warp the shape.
Another thing to add here: You also want to create a hole for your string/lanyard to attach to, i just cut a little hole in the side and left it. It's not the cleanest, but it does the job.
Step 2: Prepping the Switch
On the bottom of the Cherry MX Switch there are 2 metal contacts, as i'm not going to be using this switch in a keyboard, i flattened these down to have a flush surface. There is also a notch which allows the switch to lower when pressed. I simply ground it down and pushed the switch through.
Step 3: Test Fitting
Pretty self explanatory, just ensure the switch fits in the base.
Step 4: Fitting Switch
I added a little super glue to the bottom and sides of the base. Ensuring a solid contact with all bits, left it to dry for half an hour and came back and it was solid. I wouldn't want to try too hard, but it is on there snug.
Added a key cap and a bit of string for added look and HEY PRESTO! your very own ducky key chain. Granted, it doesn't look as professional as Ducky's but it sure as hell is fun to have on your keys and show to people.
Thanks for reading, if you have any questions, just leave a comment or PM me. Or, if you have any suggestions of how to improve it, please do put them below.
Edited by Davayy - 12/16/12 at 11:38am
I really wanted my own Ducky Keychain which have been doing the rounds on GH and OCN, they are quite hard to buy, and the only place i found where you could get them was from tigerimports.net and even then that was for a limited number ( they only had 30 ), about a year ago!
Here's what i wanted to achieve, or as close to it as possible:
So i thought to myself, how could i make it? I bought a Cherry MX Blue keyswitch and began to work out how I was going to produce something which resembles the key chain.
So, Let's Being.
Time required: 30 Minutes - 1 Hour.
THINGS YOU WILL NEED.
1) Cherry MX Switch - I used a Blue, but any variety will work obviously.
2) An FX key from a Membrane keyboard - I went for the F keys on my old Belkin membrane board because they were the tallest, big enough to house the switch. You want to ensure the key you use is wide enough at the base ( the face with writing on ) to accommodate the switch. Don't worry what's on the inside; we'll be cutting that out anyway!
3) Dremel with filing attachment - I prefer using the filing attachment as I could have alot more precision with it, especially getting into the innards of the key cap.
4) * Optional* Any Grit Sand Paper - I wanted my base to have a 'rough' feel to it, so i used coarse sand paper, any grit would work the same, or you might not need it at all.
5) Work Bench / vice - Something to hold your key in place when dremeling.
*Not Pictured*
6) Super Glue
7) The hoop / string Ducky uses are called "Phone String", you can find many on Amazon and the like.
STEP 1: Prepping the Base.
You want to have the inside of your old key completely clear, allowing space for the switch to be housed in.
You'll start off with this:
Then, using the dremel you want to clear the "stalk" off it, i just filed it down from the top all the way to the bottom, ensuring you smooth out the bottom of the base.
At the end of this you should have something like this:
Here's a quick size comparison between the old key, and your newly cut one:
After this, if you want to go for a rough, textured look for your base then start sanding the base. Not alot is needed, and be careful you don't sand too much to warp the shape.
Another thing to add here: You also want to create a hole for your string/lanyard to attach to, i just cut a little hole in the side and left it. It's not the cleanest, but it does the job.
Step 2: Prepping the Switch
On the bottom of the Cherry MX Switch there are 2 metal contacts, as i'm not going to be using this switch in a keyboard, i flattened these down to have a flush surface. There is also a notch which allows the switch to lower when pressed. I simply ground it down and pushed the switch through.
Step 3: Test Fitting
Pretty self explanatory, just ensure the switch fits in the base.
Step 4: Fitting Switch
I added a little super glue to the bottom and sides of the base. Ensuring a solid contact with all bits, left it to dry for half an hour and came back and it was solid. I wouldn't want to try too hard, but it is on there snug.
Added a key cap and a bit of string for added look and HEY PRESTO! your very own ducky key chain. Granted, it doesn't look as professional as Ducky's but it sure as hell is fun to have on your keys and show to people.
Thanks for reading, if you have any questions, just leave a comment or PM me. Or, if you have any suggestions of how to improve it, please do put them below.
Edited by Davayy - 12/16/12 at 11:38am
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