Mouse/Keyboard Mod and Etching

[Steve Da Egg]

I want to backlight an old dell keyboard with blue lights. Except I don't know how to wire it or anything. Help there. Also, for the mouse and the LEDs on the keyboard I have no idea how to replace them with different LEDs.

How do I start etching plexiglass? I have a dremel. What kind of attachments do I need?

Where can I buy acrylic, LEDs, plexic glass, etc. Where do you guys get all your modding stuff?

[Luke122]

Tapp Plastics is where most people here get their plexi and acrylic, you can check them out online. I personally get my stuff from the local glass shop, they have a scrap bin that I pull loads of chunks out of for most projects.

Backlighting a keyboard with LED's can be difficult, just because of the poor spread of light from an LED. EL-Wire (Electro-luminescent) works better for that sort of thing. Use a multimeter to find a power source in the keyboard, and confirm that the voltage is correct for your EL inverter.

As far as replacing the LEDs in the keyboard and mouse, when you open them up, you'll see how the current LED's are installed. Bust out the soldering iron, and pull the old ones out (making sure to note the position of the LED.. they have a flat side, so match that up) then install the new ones. Not much to it. :D

For etching I use a handheld engraver.. it's smaller, lighter, and cheaper than a dremel, but if you have to use a dremel, there are special engraving tips available, and I would recommend getting the flex-shaft attachment.

[Steve Da Egg]

Where do i get EL-wire and LEDs? I've never used a soldering gun before so this should be a learning experience. Where do you get a handheld engraver? Also what is a multimeter and how do I tie the EL-wire into the cord of the keyboard?

[Luke122]

EL-Wire is available in a few places (http://www.elwire.com/).. try any computer hardware shop that sells modding supplies, or even the automotive section of a few places... I think Walmart might have.

A multimeter is a device used for testing electronic components and circuits. Like this one.. and they arent too expensive. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimeter)You'll need the multimeter to find a power source inside the keyboard.

Handheld engravers are available at any hardware store for around $10-15.

[Steve Da Egg]

Guys, when you etch how do you get that really clean look? Mine looks really messy and you can see lines and **** where the dremel cut into it. Most eveyone elses looks really clean and one solid color.

[SgtM]

Welcome to TBCS!
Best supplier for LED's: www.lsdiodes.com

Compiled list of modding supplier web sites:
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8546

[cured]

Do you know any LED store for melbourne australia?

[Luke122]

Guys, when you etch how do you get that really clean look? Mine looks really messy and you can see lines and **** where the dremel cut into it. Most eveyone elses looks really clean and one solid color.

For large solid areas, the easiest thing to do is to either:

a) mask it off with tape or something, and wetsand it to get an even etch across the area

b) take your time, and go really really slowly to ensure quality.

I would do a mix of both personally..

[Woztron]

Do you know any LED store for melbourne australia?

Dick Smith Powerhouse's (http://www.dse.com.au), great site, has their whole catalogue, just looks ugly. They have LED, and electronics supplies, EL wire (they used to any way, if not try Strathfield or JayCar).

[SgtM]

Dick Smith Powerhouse's (http://www.dse.com.au), great site, has their whole catalogue, just looks ugly. They have LED, and electronics supplies, EL wire (they used to any way, if not try Strathfield or JayCar).

Added to the wiki. Thanks, and +rep