So, to make a RGB mousepad i only need: A screwdriver, a melting tool thing, a carving tool thing, a cutting board, a mini computer, coding skills, superglue, mousepad fabric and of course rgb lights. I think im just going to buy one hehe.
You sir are a legend. Always wanted an RGB mouse pad and saw this recommended. Plus I've also been watching a lot of Arduino related stuff lately so this was really interesting. Subscribed and liked!
Great! Additionally, you are able to use another substrate rather than the chopping board and I think it will be better than it. I suggest to use Polycarbonate sheets. It will give more attractive light effects because it has lower opacity rather than the chopping board.
Here's a cheaper and easier way to do it - Custom cut acrylic sheet to the size of your mousepad (maybe with an extra .5-1mm) with enough indentation for RGB strip - Get RGB strip , preferably USB powered - Put RGB strip on the indentation, tape it in place - Put foil tape on top of the RGB strip to spread the light - Put mousepad on top
Welcome back Natura... NVM. Welcome back! Never once have I looked at a cutting board and thought of making it into a mouse pad but definitely may try!! Thanks!
I have been using the same cutting board as a mousepad since since I was a poor college student 15 years ago. I needed something to play Warcraft 3 with and that was the best option I found in my apartment. It worked so well it has been my trusted gaming friend ever since. It is under my mouse even as I type this.
I've never worked with neoprene but I do know that you can get this stuff called fray check and it will stop those pesky frayed edges on most fabrics. *Just make sure to test it on your fabric before using it on the final product*
you can easily defray the edges by using a lighter or a low heat torch and lightly dancing the flames under the frays, it will help clean up the edges and over all make it look like it cost more than $20 to make
Only things I would have done differently are adding clear plexiglass beneath the surface to diffuse and spread the colors sideways, and using a top radius router bit to cut the neoprene perfect to the contour of the cutting board while adding a nice blend from the material of the cutting board to the neoprene surface.
try to use CalcProgrammer1's code and keyboard visualizer to control the led animations via software and sync with other peripherals github.com/CalcProgrammer1/KeyboardVisualizer
If you can't afford anything, a normal piece of paper works well, just replace it once in a while. Cardboard works, though not as well. Else, just go to a 2nd hand store and buy a cheap mousepad, most have them.
Also if you make the cuts shallower then do multiple passes, it will be way easier to keep it straight rather than trying to go the full depth in one pass... and the edge guide...
hmm.. or you can just buy a RGB mousepad for around 25€ (some start on amazon even little under 20€). Only the material needed for this build is around 25€ + time invested + tools needed = go just buy one, don't make one :P
This argument can be used for nearly everything when it comes to making stuff, and of course I don't expect people who does not appreciate making stuff to go to Ikea and start carving out a cutting board. It is definitely for people with a special interest, and I get that. But let me counter with some cool things you can do when you make it yourself. You can for instance customize light patterns to whatever you'd like, integrate it to respond to sound or other interfaces. Another thing to consider, is what do you do when the cheap mousepad from Amazon breaks? If you have made it yourself, it will most likely take you five minutes to fix it. There are certainly pros and cons for both sides, but I wouldn't recommend anyone to do this if they don't enjoy making things with their own hands.
I like the idea of making/building something and also using something that has "one purpose" for something totally different. It takes imagination and skills to make something, plus it is also a nice hobby. My point is mostly about the "cheep" part, because it is not that cheep and... and with big And... the time that is needed for it, is the most expensive... times fly by so quickly (yes, yes, I know I sound like a old man). If you build something like a part of your hobby, then I think it is good spended time. That is something different, then you don't need to count the time in it... but still I can't consider it to be a cheep, because of the material costs ;)
Well I looked, other than the tools, a neoprene laptop sleeve $6, cutting board $1.5, LEDs $7, Arduino mini $2, Cable $0.75. So thats only $17.25. Throw on two 25c microphones with a bit of code, have an RGB mousepad that changes colour as you move around the pad. Some more coding and a 50c touch switch to have a mouse pad that changes colour as you move around and only lights up when you are resting on the pad. IMO, with the DIY Attitude and the right tools you can make a fancy thing and come in under the $25 budget.
Then take out the cheap part of the video cause I have done the math and it is cheaper to buy a razer firefly than make this one plus buying you get ensurance for two years while this has about a week at best and I have made stuff time and time again from remote controll cars to drones and a 3D printer from parts and arduino there is no point making second grade cosmitic stuff when you can buy them cheaper from people that actually know what they are doing. Besides if you are to make something make a tool like a 3D printer you save about 30% to 70% from buying one.
Nice, But the chopping broad will slide on the desktop.... You could just simply install plastic things (i don't know its name) under it to give it some traction!
For those who want to try this at home 2 things should be noted. (a) Connect the red wire to 5V instead of Vin. (b) connect a resistor (about 100-200 ohm) in series with the led strip green wire to lower the current so your arduino won't burn due to the high current.
Whats the max current of the arduino anyways, idt its high enough to power the LED strip tho since it needs 3.6A rite? And wont powering it up with usb port also damage the laptop since max usb port current is 500-900mA
Maaaan now I found my motivation on why I am currently taking my program (BSIT). Thanks to you bro! Now I know that I could actually do cool stuff when I finish my degree lol
I just wish there could've been a way to do it all perfectly. As cool as this is already, the lack of perfection leaves me to want to figure out how to make it even better
walmart has great quality rgb light set $4.88 for a 6ft let strip and receiver and small remote for multi and single color and made my mouse pad light up.
More cheaper than buying a fancy super expensive Razer or HyperX acessories; I'll adapt this tutorial and put RGB in the sides of my keyboard, thanks a lot for the idea!
