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Do It Yourself (DIY) Switch Adapted Mouse (SAM)

Here is the simple method of adapting a computer mouse for use with switches. This technique is well known for adaptation of soft toys and basically routes wires terminated with 3.5mm inline jack socket out of the mouse’s shell.

The obvious advantage of this method is that mouse of ANY size or shape can be modified regardless of the amount of internal volume needed previously for accommodation of 3.5mm panel mounted jack sockets inside the shell. It is also ergonomically more sound due to an absence of inline jacks sticking out of the mouse at the locations where fingers usually rest whilst the mouse is in use.

Materials:

Screwdriver
Soldering Iron and Solder
In-line Jack Socket(s)
Glue gun or cable ties
Wire Cutters
Drill and drill bits
Swiss (or small) Files
Multimeter
Dual core unshielded or single core shielded wire

Instructions:

Pick a mice of your choice ... (make sure it is disconnected from a computer first)

Remove screws from the base of the mouse so you can lift the top and see inside

Remove the circuit board from the base of the mouse (you might need to remove light sensor wheels first in some models)

Turn the board over so that you can see the soldered side of the circuit board

You need to identify which two pins of the switch on the mouse circuit board are the active ones by using the multimeter (terminals are marked C (common) and NO (normally open) on the switch's body) and mark them

Strip the ends of the wires

Solder one wire to each of the pins you marked before. Test for electrical functionality (switching action)

Examine the shell of the mouse and determine where the cable will be routed best (try to find a place where the cable will not interfere with other wires or moving parts)

Drill the hole(s) (matching the diameter of the cable - tight fit is preferable) in the shell or use the soldering iron to melt through the shell and then finish any rough edges using a Swiss files or any other suitable instrument of your choice

On some models you might need to do some work on the other part of the shell

Reinsert the circuit board and adjust the run of the cables inside the shell

Use glue gun or cable ties to secure the cables internally against accidental pull (if using "superglue" do not assemble shell before glue's vapours are gone - they can kill the switches easily due to a heavy oxidation of contact plates inside the switch)

Close the shell and test the buttons for mechanical functionality

Solder inline jack sockets at the end of each cable

Et Voila!

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