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Keyboard Circuit Sheet Lampshade

by ChrysN on January 23, 2011

Table of Contents

Keyboard Circuit Sheet Lampshade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: Keyboard Circuit Sheet Lampshade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1: Materials and tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 2: Measure and cut the sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 3: Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 4: Prepare light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 5: Make a hole for the cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Step 6: Glue top and bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

http://www.instructables.com/id/Keyboard-Circuit-Sheet-Lampshade/
 Author:ChrysN
I like sewing and crafts, I also like challenging myself by trying new things. I'm vegetarian and always looking for new recipes. My cat's name is Mirko and
likes to be in the centre of things, so you will see him in several of my instructables.

Intro: Keyboard Circuit Sheet Lampshade

I had a really old keyboard lying around that I planned to use to make a Keylendar. Upon opening it up I noticed that the circuit sheets were a really pretty bluey/green
colour. I thought this would make a great lampshade.

For the light source I used an LED puck light connected to a USB cable so that I can have it near my computer. The light cast through the lampshade is not overly bright
but it makes for nice mood lighting.

Step 1: Materials and tools

Old or unwanted keyboard
Light and power source ( I used an LED puck light connected to a USB cable)
Metal tin
Glue
Clear packing tape
Hole punch
Screwdriver

Image Notes
1. Dismantled keyboard.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Keyboard-Circuit-Sheet-Lampshade/
 Image Notes
1. Dollar store LED puck light
2. USB cable

Image Notes
1. The cord was $3.99 at Home Depot.
Image Notes
2. The light socket was $3.99 at Home Depot.
1. I used this for the base of the lamp.
3. Two wire nuts.
2. I used this metal piece for the top
4. Standard light socket and wall plug.

Step 2: Measure and cut the sheet

The keyboard circuit sheets can vary in appearance so unfortunately there is no way of knowing whether you circuit sheets will be as pretty as these.

Dismantle your keyboard and extract your circuit sheets.

Roll the sheet into a cylindrical shape and fit into your base.
Mark where the sheet begins to overlap and cut off the excess

Image Notes
1. Circuit sheet

http://www.instructables.com/id/Keyboard-Circuit-Sheet-Lampshade/
 Image Notes
1. Fit into what you plan to use as a base.
2. Mark where you want to cut.

Image Notes
1. Cut off the excess.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Keyboard-Circuit-Sheet-Lampshade/
Step 3: Tape
Apply clear packing tape to one edge of the sheet, roll it into a cylinder and tape the edges together. Fold any excess tape over the rim or cut off.

Image Notes
1. Packing tape.
2. Place the tape so that half of it is on the sheet half off. Image Notes
1. Roll into cylinder and tape edges together.
2. Roll into cylinder and tape edges together.

Step 4: Prepare light

For the light source I used a LED puck light powered by my computer through a USB cable.

If you have never made a USB light before simply strip the end of the USB cable that is not connect to the computer.
You will have four wires inside, ignore the white and green ones (you can just cut these off), the red is positive and the black is negative.
Since the voltage from the cable is 5V and my puck light uses 3V a resistor is required. Use http://ledcalc.com/ to assist you in finding the right resistor.
Connect the positive (red) wire to the resistor and the resistor the the positive part on the light then the negative(black) to the negative. The light should now work.

Glue the light onto the base of the lamp.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Keyboard-Circuit-Sheet-Lampshade/
 Image Notes
1. Puck light taken apart Image Notes
1. USB cable with the white and green wire cut off. A resistor is attached to the
positive wire.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Solder the negative wire to the negative node of the puck light. 1. Glue the puck light to the base.
2. Solder the positive to the positive.

Step 5: Make a hole for the cable

We will need a hole in the lampshade for the cable to exit. With the hole punch make a hole on the circuit sheet cylinder just above the edge of the base and make a
small slit from the hole to the bottom. Slip the cable through the slit to sit in the hole.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Keyboard-Circuit-Sheet-Lampshade/
 Image Notes Image Notes
1. Decide where to make the hole for the cable. 1. Make hole with hole punch.
2. Make a slit from the hole to the edge of the sheet so the cable can slip in and sit
in the hole.

Step 6: Glue top and bottom

Once the circuit sheet cylinder and light source is ready simply put it all together and glue the base and top on.

I used the metal lid and bottom of a container of bath salts. The lid was used for the base since it had a nice rim. I'm not entirely happy with the part that I used for the
top but when I went back to the store to buy more of the same bath salts (with the nice lid that I could use) I was disappointed to find that they no longer sold them. I've
been on the look out ever since.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Keyboard-Circuit-Sheet-Lampshade/
 Image Notes
Image Notes
1. Bottom metal part of container.
1. I used this for the base of the lamp. 2. Cardboard that I pealed away.
2. I used this metal piece for the top

Image Notes
1. Top glued on.

Image Notes
1. Base glued on.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Keyboard-Circuit-Sheet-Lampshade/
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31diy

Comments
37 comments Add Comment

solidsnake86 says: Feb 27, 2011. 1:19 PM REPLY

i have an old ps2 ibm keyboard. gotta disassemble it and see what's inside. thanx for the tutorial.

sharzz says: Feb 27, 2011. 1:11 PM REPLY

This is a lovely contemporary lamp. I will collect the materials and make one. Thanks for a clear instructable.

georgiapeach773 says: Feb 27, 2011. 12:45 PM REPLY

Nice!
I'm thinking there must be a way to attach old CDs to use as the top and bottom. They would have a hole built in to vent the top and you could run the wire
through the one on the bottom if you glue on some wood beads for feet.

If you know someone who does scrapbooking, jewelry, collage, or shadowbox art, they might have a use for your keys.

PyrocanthaX says: Feb 27, 2011. 11:59 AM REPLY

Now...I want to find an old key board, and break it open to see what I can find...:)

soydannn says: Feb 27, 2011. 11:49 AM REPLY

i loved it =)

M.C. Langer says: Feb 27, 2011. 6:25 AM REPLY

I think it's an awesome idea!! :-)

ChrysN says: Feb 27, 2011. 10:59 AM REPLY

Thanks!

MichelMoermans says: Feb 24, 2011. 3:17 AM REPLY

Great work Chrisy! :D

I also can't believe I wasn't subscribed! Well... it's apperantly called "following" now... So I'm following you now! (okay that sounds stalkery... :p)

ChrysN says: Feb 24, 2011. 5:07 PM REPLY

Thanks. The term follow is going to take some getting use to.

MichelMoermans says: Feb 25, 2011. 12:24 AM REPLY

Yeah it kinda looks facebook-e.. I thought we were going to try to avoid that... Also what the hell? I can log in via facebook now?!

freakyqwerty says: Feb 27, 2011. 10:23 AM REPLY

Thats what I was thinking- why the hell would we want to log in with a facebook account!?!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Keyboard-Circuit-Sheet-Lampshade/
 stncilr says: Feb 24, 2011. 5:05 PM REPLY
Just came back from the thrift store with two tin can lids, a kids night light and an old keyboard. Currently waiting for paint to dry on the lids.

ChrysN says: Feb 24, 2011. 6:45 PM REPLY

Cool, feel free to post a picture here when your done.

stncilr says: Feb 26, 2011. 12:30 AM REPLY

Here you go! Can anyone suggest a project that can reuse the keys from the keyboard? Check out more of my projects on my flickr account! (and
you'll find this image properly rotated!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stncilr/

prosper58 says: Feb 26, 2011. 10:18 AM REPLY

Cool. I made an Atari Punk Console as well. It's not as good-looking as yours (probably because i circuit bent it into oblivion), but it's got a lot of
cool features. And nice lamp. I'm planing on making one, but i doubt it'll look anywhere near as good as that.

stncilr says: Feb 26, 2011. 3:39 PM REPLY

It's really easy to do, im sure it'll look as good as mine!

ChrysN says: Feb 26, 2011. 10:15 AM REPLY

Nice! Did you check out the keylendar (http://www.instructables.com/id/Keylendar/). That's what I did with my keys.

stncilr says: Feb 26, 2011. 3:45 PM REPLY

Its a nifty project, but i have a feeling i would not end up using it.

AlpineButterfly says: Feb 25, 2011. 6:44 AM REPLY

This is such a cool idea! I use the keyboard keys on my cat beds a lot. The rest of the keyboard often ends up as a frame, but couldn't think of any way to
use these guys... but i love how cool they look, so i keep them... wondering what to do.

No i don't have to wonder any more... you have opened up doors of possibilities, so cool!!

ChrysN says: Feb 25, 2011. 4:46 PM REPLY

Ah, your the one with the cat beds, those look amazing!

AlpineButterfly says: Feb 26, 2011. 11:49 AM REPLY

Thank you, that's sweet :-)

TSC says: Feb 25, 2011. 12:01 PM REPLY

I got to do this!! Sweet!!!

astroboy907 says: Feb 24, 2011. 5:33 PM REPLY

Sweet, looks like a great project. May be worthy of taking apart my apple keyboard. If not, a trip downtown should get me a $4 used keyboard

Newton says: Feb 23, 2011. 10:16 PM REPLY

awesome, i have to build one of these :)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Keyboard-Circuit-Sheet-Lampshade/
 ChrysN says: Feb 24, 2011. 5:12 PM REPLY
Thanks, feel free to post a picture here if you do.

MechEngSk says: Feb 23, 2011. 10:38 PM REPLY

Clever idea.

To make to light more uniform you can put in linear light source. You will end up having same lighting effect throughout the lamp. Also the bottom and top
can be made using black perspex.
Also using cable seal you can safely attach the cord to the lamp side. Otherwise just make a knot on the cable slide a washer through on it and the feed if
through the lamp side from inside. You should have the washer between the knot and the lamp wall, and the distance length of the cord in (between the knot
and the connections) should be longer than the distance between the connections and the lamp wall. If you ever pull on the cord you will not rip out your
electrical connection to the light in the lamp.

ChrysN says: Feb 24, 2011. 5:11 PM REPLY

Thanks the final product could use a bit more polish, a linear light would definitely look better.

tfrost1980 says: Feb 24, 2011. 2:03 AM REPLY

You must have seen this in "62 projects to make with a dead computer" by Randy Sarafan. He came up with the idea, but yours is nicer.

ChrysN says: Feb 24, 2011. 5:06 PM REPLY

Really, I actually haven't read his book yet. I guess trying to win a (signed) copy of his book using something in it is a bit awkward.

kill-a-watt says: Feb 24, 2011. 5:59 AM REPLY

If you have trouble with the LEDs, next time wire it so each one has it's own dropping resister.

The failure mode here might be that one of the LEDs would die early from taking more than it's fair share of the current. Then the remaining two would fail
because suddenly they both have to take on the current from the blown diode.

Here's what I'd do starting from scratch:

Solution 0: 1 x 3 array uses 3 LEDs exactly

+----|>|---/\/\/----+ R = 100 ohms
+----|>|---/\/\/----+ R = 100 ohms
+----|>|---/\/\/----+ R = 100 ohms

The wizard says: In solution 0:

each 100 ohm resistor dissipates 40 mW
the wizard thinks ¼W resistors are fine for your application
together, all resistors dissipate 120 mW
together, the diodes dissipate 198 mW
total power dissipated by the array is 318 mW
the array draws current of 60 mA from the source.

(via http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz )

I used 3 LEDs, 3.3 volts per LED, 5 v. supply, and 20 mA current per each.

ChrysN says: Feb 24, 2011. 5:02 PM REPLY

Cool, thanks for the tip.

instruct39 says: Feb 24, 2011. 2:01 PM REPLY

awesome! love it when people come up with new ideas to to do with keyboard circuit boards

Mechanical Advantage says: Feb 24, 2011. 12:36 PM REPLY

Nice! I've been saving an old keyboard sheet, waiting for something to do with it...

oriololler says: Feb 23, 2011. 11:35 PM REPLY

Looks great.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Keyboard-Circuit-Sheet-Lampshade/
 caarntedd says: Feb 23, 2011. 9:49 PM REPLY
I think I'll make this.

mikeasaurus says: Feb 23, 2011. 8:14 PM REPLY

Looks great.
If you're not happy with the top, why not swap it with the bottom? Seems to have a cleaner look.
The keyboard pattern looks awesome!

ChrysN says: Feb 23, 2011. 8:38 PM REPLY

Yah, I should do that, I guess I had my heart set on finding another lid.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Keyboard-Circuit-Sheet-Lampshade/