How-To Geek
Hack Apart an Old Keyboard to Create Custom Control Interface
Whether you’re looking for an interface for your new DIY arcade cabinet or want to build a custom keypad for an application, this detailed tutorial will show you how to frankenmod an old keyboard into a new interface.
Rupert, over at Runaway Brainz, wanted to avoid shelling out a lot of money for a custom control interface for a MAME cabinet. To that end he hacked apart an old keyboard, mapped the key signals on the keyboard matrix, and then rewired the board to use the inputs he needed for the new interface. The final product looks very little like a keyboard and very much like the expensive input modules he emulated for his no-cost DIY model.
Hack: Reverse Engineer and Repurpose an Old Keyboard “The Matrix Reloaded” [via Hack A Day]
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Jason Fitzpatrick is warranty-voiding DIYer and all around geek. When he's not documenting mods and hacks he's doing his best to make sure a generation of college students graduate knowing they should put their pants on one leg at a time and go on to greatness, just like Bruce Dickinson. You can follow him on Google+ if you'd like.
- Published 01/10/12
