USB Touchpad into center console...

**MacGuru** · 09-15-2004, 09:46 PM

I'm looking to fabricate a USB touchpad into the center console. I picked up a USB touchpad from Cirque and it works very well. The idea is to mold/cut the tracpad into the ash tray lid. I know this sounds crazy, but the touchpad itsself is pretty small and thin. From what I can see (and attached pics), this should work.

So I have two options. I can try and mold this into the ashtray myself, or I can hand this off to one of you guys to make this look professional. If this seems like a challenging task, then I will consider handing this off to someone else with more experience. However, if this is a relatively easy task, then I would consider doing this myself. My only concern is making it look professional and clean.

Any advice or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Thanks. -m

**djtrickee** · 09-15-2004, 11:31 PM

What car is that ashtray from?? It looks remarkably similar to my mitsu eclipse ashtray.

Any-hoo, if I were you I would go to ebay and purchase another or 2 extra ashtrays and practice cutting with a dremel and molding and shaping that piece till you are comfortable. that way you will always have the original to stick back in when you sell the vehicle. I have purchased duplicate pieces of all my molded stuff for that very reason, knowing i havent ruined the orignal piece.

**MacGuru** · 09-16-2004, 12:38 PM

It's from a 350Z Touring. A spare is a good idea, however I don't think people will be selling ash trays from a 350Z. Even junk yards don't carry them. The dealer has the ash tray for $45 and from Courtesy Nissan $32.99, but that's just way too expensive. Hence, why I wouldn't mind handing this off to a pro.

I don't own a dremel, so the initial investment for me to do this work would be considerably more expensive. Maybe less expensive to have someone fabricate this for me. Any takers?

**replicant** · 09-17-2004, 04:46 PM

man, but you'd be SAVING money on many projects to come by purchasing a dremel! It is the end all, be all tool in any modder's toolbox. Then again if you have ZERO fabrication skills, or even the will to do stuff like that, then a dremel may be a waste of money and having a pro do it may be more worth your money and your while. i still think yo'ull find more satisfaction from cutting it up yourself with your shiny, new dremel

and i don't work for dremel.

**gambit32** · 09-17-2004, 05:06 PM

Buy a dremel! I don't know how many times I've used it. You won't believe what can be done with a cutting wheel and sanding drum.

**Tred** · 09-17-2004, 07:27 PM

Did u purchase the beast yet? Remember to get the snake extension thingy.

**MacGuru** · 09-17-2004, 11:23 PM

I don’t mind getting my hands dirty.

Any suggestions on where to buy the Dremel kit? If I'm going to do this right, I'm going to need all the accessories. If this tool is as valuable as you guys say it is, then I must have this in my tool collection. I've done some searching online for a Dremel and have noticed the kit of choice is the Dremel 3956. Amazon seems to have the best price.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...&s=hi&n=229122

My next question will be accessories. What will I need outside this kit to make this job look professional?

Thanks in advance. -m

**MacGuru** · 09-17-2004, 11:32 PM

Home Depot has the newer model. Any difference between this and the 3956, 3962?

Dremel
MultiPro Rotary Tool Kit
Model 3966-03
$99.00

**mangina24** · 09-29-2004, 07:08 PM

Very similar to the ashtray from an eclipse/talon actuall. I've been planning on doing the same thing, instead of the touch screen idea. I like this idea better, plus it's less expensive. Where did you buy that touch panel?

Anyone know of any other places that sell usb touch pads?

**Curiosity** · 09-29-2004, 07:38 PM

Do you still have an open PS/2 mouse port? I just dremelled this yesterday (from this thread).
Still needs a little more work on the front but these 99 cent pads can be cut down and put in a pretty small space.