Mouse modding! ???

[Techno_Savage]

My current mouse needs to be taken apart and cleaned out mostly because the wheel has dust/cat/human hair probably wrapped up in it and sometimes gets fussy. The other reason is the sleeve over the wiring is coming off and out of the mouse itself leaving the wires slightly exposed, the black sleeve, not the individual colored ones... no copper is exposed.

I was thinking of doing a steampunk(ish) mouse but not sure where to go to get little brass fittings tubes or gears.
Next I have seen a steampunk mouse utilizing a skull of some small animal and thought about possibly doing something similar but also have no idea where to get one with out killing a stray cat which would anger the GF very much I suspect!

Then lastly I thought about the general bulk of the mouse, leaving some space inside and was wondering if that would be a good place to put a thumb drive discreetly out of the way? A mouse with storage and if anyone might have some ideas on how to utilize the thumb drive using the same USB cord as the mouse since they have USB splicers would that work?

Gimme any feedback, advice or stone cold facts I'd really like some discussion on this before going through with it as this would be my 1st "TRUE MOD"

Also a side thought, would a skull like mouse look cooler if it looked demonic or looked like a relic/magic device for the dark arts? Opinions encouraged!

[d_stilgar]

Well, here are some good inspiration posts.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/f...ead.php?t=7278
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/f...ad.php?t=14556

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/f...ighlight=mouse
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/f...ighlight=mouse
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/f...ighlight=mouse

I tried to pick some that showed some process and did more than just paint. Hope it helps!

Also, here is a mouse mod that includes a USB thumb drive.
http://www.thice.nl/hide-your-data-i...rdware-hiding/
I would suggest adding a switch on the bottom of a mouse so you can turn the hidden storage on or off.

[Techno_Savage]

Thank you sir, the last link I think will prove the most useful for the USB advice and adding a switch would be nice too!

[SgtM]

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/f...ad.php?t=13300
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/f...t=5940&page=11

[Konrad]

Wheel???

[Techno_Savage]

Wheel???

The center of the wheel housed inside the mouse can get dust/hair caught in the middle where it spins when this builds up enough the wheel gets a bit harder to rotate.

[Konrad]

Aha, well I know what a wheel mouse is. I've cleaned dozens of 'em, nasty little critters. What I meant to say was more like:

"Wheelmouse??? They've been obsolete for twenty years. I'm surprised yours even works at all if it's seen any use; usually the ball and rollers get uneven. An inexpensive optical mouse (on a $2 mousepad) will be a thousand times better. Plus there's no need to clean oily, hairy mouse balls. Ever."

Or are you talking about the scrollwheel?

[mDust]

Or are you talking about the scrollwheel?

Yes. LOL

...[I] have no idea where to get [a skull] with out killing a stray cat which would anger the GF very much I suspect!

LOL again. I see you've put some thought into this!

Here is a link to everything you've ever wanted or needed, even if you didn't know it yet:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#

Here is a helpful guide on how to find materials:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5464408_gear...n-jewelry.html
Good luck with this!

[Techno_Savage]

Holy Crap!!! Mdust you find this page while stumbling keyword "Mad Scientist"?
after reading your post I thought I heard a Muwahahahaha!!!

[mDust]

after reading your post I thought I heard a Muwahahahaha!!!

Yeah, sorry. I got a little loud and carried away.