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Open Source 3D printed mouse, built today (ploopy.co)

submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by jet@hackertalks.com to c/electronics@discuss.tchncs.de

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Built out my ploopy mouse today, it's been sitting on my shelf for a while. I got the self-assembly kit, had to solder on one through hole component.

So far I'm enjoying the mouse, the right mouse button is a little sticky, but I'm sure with a little readjustment it'll fall into place.

Every part of this mouse is open source, the hardware files, the PCB, the schematic, the firmware which is QMK. There's a lot to love here.

I've been playing some video games, and so far I enjoy the mouse quite a bit.

If I do have one complaint it would be the central scroll wheel doesn't have a detent, but that might just take some getting used to

I would love to see a kinesis style pinch mouse like the DXT2.

@pronk@mastodon.social @PKL@mastodon.social Great device, thank you for making it open source.

Note: I ordered their USB cables, just for solidarity, and assuming they found a cable that was very effective for a mouse, the cables I received were very strong, too stiff really to be used for a mouse cable. Luckily I had some very flexible braided USB cables already. So if you're going to order from them do not order the USB cable

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[–] jet@hackertalks.com 4 points 4 months ago

https://github.com/ploopyco/mouse

[–] TootSweet@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Nice!

You didn't print the plastic parts yourself, did you? Just bought them? (Still cool that they print them with off-the-shelf consumer printers.)

Also, what's "detent?" Is that the ratcheted-ish feel where it kindof sticks in regularly-spaced spots? (If that makes any sense. Lol.)

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 6 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I did not print it myself no, The printed parts came with the kit. But I am free to print them again if I want to

I looked at doing it all myself, I priced out the PCB at PCB way, for run of five(minimum order size) it cost me $125. The mouse itself with all the bits and pieces is $100. So I just went with the kit

Yeah the ratcheting feeling when you move a mouse wheel on some mice is nice. But I'm getting used to this infinite wheel paradigm

https://github.com/ploopyco/mouse/wiki/Ploopy-Mouse-Kit-Assembly

This is what I did today basically. I followed these assembly instructions.

[–] Mac@mander.xyz 3 points 4 months ago

a detent is a mechanism that latches something in position usually using some form of spring force and a notch/cutout. there are many different kinds. one that comes to mind is the detent ball in the sqaure drive of a ratchet (tool).

[–] ilovededyoupiggy@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I have been looking at these and thinking it may be my next mouse. Never soldered anything before, but I bought a cheap soldering iron starter kit thing from Amazon awhile ago I'm up for giving it a shot, especially if you said there's only one spot you have to solder.

How does it feel to use? Sufficiently ergo? Do the layer lines feel weird? I feel like not being totally smooth might kinda grate on me after awhile.

I wonder if you could source a clicky mouse wheel from somewhere as a drop in replacement? My Logitech mouse has a button to turn the detent on/off and I definitely prefer it on, the free spin way just feels wrong somehow. The detent part must be physical, there shouldn't be any electrical difference I wouldn't think, so one ought to work as well as the other.

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 3 points 4 months ago

Feels a little heavier then my last mouse. The ergonomics are fine, gamed for a few hours without any issue.

The layer lines feel like extra grip, I don't even notice them when using the mouse. You can always print a different shell, or use a professional print house to make a metal shell.