DIY Make Your Own MOUSE PAD. Really Cheap. Really Awesome

FirstNameLastName on 27/06/2010 - 04:36

if you are a total nerd like me then you use a computer a lot.

i got sick of the mouse pointer being slow, ricketty, random.
I ended up buying an awesome mouse with teflon 'feet' and 3000+ dpi.
i also bought it because it suited my hand best
(a unique hand due to a car accident).

so, i also wanted a great mousepad but didn't wanna fork out $20 for a crap-pad, nor $50 for something elite.

so, i looked around on google for nerdy solutions.. this is what i did with great results:

  1. go to coles/woolies and buy a 32cm+ completely flat teflon fry pan(when on special for about $8).

  2. go to bunnings and by a 5 or 10 pack of cheapest hacksaw blades (for about $4).

  3. get a blade, wrap one end in tape to make a crude handle, and cut, by hand, into the frying pan.. then circle around the flat middle part. this can take 2 hours, so an angle grinder/jigsaw may be better if you've got one handy. you are going to go through a lot of blades.

  4. sand the edge of your newly created teflon circle.. then rinse in warm water.

  5. enjoy a mouse pad sooooo smooth that if you have a decent mouse.. it's like ice skating.

google telfon mouse pad diy or something and you'll get photos etc.

General Discussion

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 27/06/2010 - 07:22

    Hmmm sounds interesting have you tried a Teflon sheet from the a plastics supplier, one downside in winter with metal is the heat in your hand will be drained away.

    What you are describing in pictures
    http://www.overclockers.com.au/article.php?id=251198

    or
    http://www.instructables.com/id/Aluminium-Teflon-Coated-Mous…

    thanks
    Tony

    There also seems to be a BBQ sheet/ cookie sheet that may also work take your mouse along to the BBQ shop

    They have computer workstation at Ikea might be worth testing
    http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/10133052

  • Davo1111 on 27/06/2010 - 09:46

    lol epic mouse mat. nice job dude.

  • inherentchoice on 27/06/2010 - 09:47

    Cutting a frypan with a hacksaw? Seriously by the time you buy all the tools and the sand paper, and then kill your arm for a few hours, it's not worth it. The other thing is you're assuming it will be easy to get an $8 teflon pan. What's more, there would be a rigid edge that you rest your wrist on, which is different to a soft foam/rubber one. I never had any problem with the desk surface.

    I'd say there'd be a gap in the market though for properly designed teflon coated mouse pads. Can I patent the idea? ;-)

  • Livert on 27/06/2010 - 11:05

    Yeah. I actually did the OCAU mousepad a few years ago. Went through quite a few dremel blades. Mousepad turned out to be a bit too small for gaming so I got an Icemat and have been using it ever since.

  • FirstNameLastName on 27/06/2010 - 11:43

    tony2: IKEA?! of course.. that looks pretty perfect.. great idea.. i'd still prob hacksaw off the rising edge..

    tony2: true, the mousepad is cold in winter!
    However, my crappy bedroom is so cold my cpu runs often around 17 degrees.

    tony2: yep those photos were my guide, i didn't use the rubber feet as my table is wood.. it means i can move the pad easily too.

    inherentchoice: true.. while i'm happy with my mouse pan(d).. if i had a decent job i probably woulda sploshed out some cash.. like normal people do =p. pans are often on special.

    livert: definitely.. this pad is small. I'm ok for gaming/general on it as I have full dpi settings and i like small wrist movements. however, it's probably too small for a regular serious gamer, especially if you are flying planes with it. I don't think there are cheapy pans for above the 32cm mark either.

  • andy19363 on 27/06/2010 - 12:38

    or….if you must do pans….
    http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/96225800 ….not sure it's teflon but it is $4.99

  • [Deactivated] on 27/06/2010 - 13:10

    Stichy Hi I was talking about the wrist/ etc touching the table I am using an old wetsuit as a pad .

    andy19363
    STEKA
    Frying pan
    $2.99 us
    http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/96225800

    teflon baking pan
    http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/00133043

    Product Information
    DRÖMMAR
    Baking tin
    $8.99
    Key features
    Non-stick Teflon®Prima coating for easy release of pastry.
    designer:
    Marcus Arvonen
    Assembled size
    Length: 37 cm
    Width: 25 cm
    Height: 3 cm
    Volume: 1.7 l

  • POWERevolution on 27/06/2010 - 13:40

    Cool! But it too cold for me in winter (poor blood circulation due to accident) & I'm scare to cut myself :(

  • scrimshaw on 27/06/2010 - 13:51

    How about mouse skatez?

    http://www.dansdata.com/mskatez.htm

  • inherentchoice on 29/06/2010 - 21:41

    There's a proper one on clearance at Officeworks at the moment:

    http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Technology/Com…

    I guess the patent already exists haha.

    • Livert on 29/06/2010 - 23:12

      Is this one teflon coated?

    • cwongtech on 30/06/2010 - 09:39

      No offence, but like.. it looks cheapish. Why not get a proper gamer's mouse mat?

  • FirstNameLastName on 30/06/2010 - 23:28

    sheesh, since you brought it up tony I'm really noticing my telfonic mousepad IS really cold.
    thank god it's made out of a frying pan.. think I might set the computer up on my gas stove.. =p

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