JTK MX Vertical Mouse

At work I use a Logitech MX Vertical mouse, and I wanted that style mouse at home, especially the no compromise longevity, and excessively long battery life that Logitech wireless mice are known for (I still have a $15 mouse from around 2013 that still 95% works and needs a AA battery replaced about once every other year), But I didn't want to give out $100 for a basic mouse with a different shape, and all the knock-offs were just not worth it either. So I designed my own version that uses a donor mouse with some light modifications that all around cost me about $17 including mouse and cost of filament. and has lasted me over a year so far with no issues.

I started with a STEP file from GrabCAD of the MX Vertical shape, and went to find a much cheaper Logitech wireless mouse to modify to integrate with the 3d printed shell of the MX Vertical. I chose this mouse because of it's smaller footprint, affordability, and the fact that to split between to upper shell and lower shell is as close to straight along the bottom as I could find, for it to be used with my design.

This design uses the base of the donor mouse (Logitech M330, $12) for several reasons:

• reuses control board mount
• reuses on/off switch
• reuses AA battery mount ad cover
• new shell attaches using same method and hardware as donor mouse shell

-reuses slippery pads from donor mouse base

Donor mouse Modifications:

• remove upper shell and control board
• sand FWD-Left corner of lower shell to be level with base (very easy)
• carefully unsolder L and R mouse and scroll wheel buttons and Scroll Wheel potentiometer
• solder new wire leads (1-2inch)on control board in place of each component that was removed
• print the button holder piece
• place in all components so that they poke thru the holder
• solder the appropriate wire leads back to the buttons/potentiometer

Assembly

• Print all parts
• Feed control board down thru top
• screw in button plate using m2 bolts
• slide mouse button into slot
• insert key (end wrapped in tape for friction) from bottom to hold mouse buttons in place
• install control board back to donor base
• install base to upper shell using stock hardware
• insert battery and cover

I created this is 2021 and it is still working today

All of my designs are unpaid passion projects that I choose to share, and I provide mesh models for free, but if you'd like to support me and my work, donations are greatly appreciated.

Category: Electronics