Iambic Paddles (Base Mountable Version) by ReallyBigTeeth

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

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Remixed from an excellent design by Thingiverse user and certified amateur radio operator Loren Butler (V01PWF), the intent of this project was to make a set of 3D printable iambic paddles that were as portable as possible, while still comfortable enough to use at a desk. I could have made the overall width narrower if I removed the key end stops from the base and built them in to the top cover, but I wanted to have the option of removing the cover and mounting the key to a heavy base plate. The narrow version of this key can be found here, and a mini version can be found here.
Hardware Used:
3x 6-32 x 1 inch phillips flat pan head screws for paddle pivots and ground contact
2x 6-32 phillips flat pan head screws trimmed to 11.5mm thread length for paddle contacts
2x 6-32 nuts/springs and washers for paddle contact screws
4x 6-32 1/4 inch phillips flat pan head screws for attaching the cover
1x 1/8 inch stereo jack or hot glue
1x Spring from a retractable pen (3.5mm outer diametre, 10mm length)
or 2x neodymium magnets
or 1x 3D printable spring designed by Mlogith
3x short lengths of stranded wire
The paddles use a spring from an empty retractable ball point pen, and are tension adjustable via a set of pockets along the inside of each arm. A suggestion from wz2prich is to use neodymium magnes glued to the arms instead of a spring. Arm travel to contact is adjustable but the resting point is fixed. Using springs in place of the nuts on the paddle contact screws can make adjustments faster and easier. The plug at the rear of the paddles is a 1/8" stereo jack which could lead to an electronic keyer, radio, or pc interface. A tip from Thingiverse user KD9AYE is to glue the wires in place, eliminating the need for a stereo jack. Photos of his build of the narrow and base mountable versions of these paddles can be found here.