Okay, so today I’m gonna walk you through this little side project I tackled called “clara feet.” Sounds kinda weird, I know, but stick with me.
It all started when my buddy, Mark, mentioned he was trying to build a custom keyboard, and he was having a heck of a time finding good rubber feet that didn’t slip all over the place. Everything he tried was either too flimsy or just didn’t grip well. That got my gears turning.
Brainstorming and Prep
First thing I did was a little research. What makes a good keyboard foot? What materials are commonly used? I learned that a lot of people use different types of rubber, but the durometer (hardness) is key. Too hard, and it’s like sliding on ice. Too soft, and it wears out quickly. Also, the shape matters – you want something that provides a good, stable base.
Then, I grabbed some supplies. I headed over to my local hardware store and picked up:
- A sheet of high-density rubber (I opted for something around 60A durometer – seemed like a good starting point).
- Some strong adhesive – I went with a contact cement.
- A sharp utility knife.
- A metal ruler.
- Some sandpaper (various grits).
The Cutting and Shaping
This was the fiddly part. I measured out small squares – about 1cm x 1cm – on the rubber sheet. Then, using the metal ruler as a guide, I carefully cut them out with the utility knife. You gotta be patient here, or you’ll end up with jagged edges.
After cutting out a bunch of squares, I started shaping them. I wanted slightly rounded edges, so I used the sandpaper to smooth them down. Started with a rough grit to remove the sharp edges, then moved to a finer grit to polish them up a bit.
The Sticking and Testing
Now for the adhesive. I applied a thin layer of contact cement to the back of each rubber foot and to the bottom of Mark’s keyboard. Let it sit for a few minutes until it got tacky, then carefully attached the feet. Made sure to press them firmly to ensure a good bond.
The Moment of Truth
Time to test! I placed the keyboard on my desk and gave it a good shove. Nope, didn’t budge! Success! The rubber feet held firm, providing a stable, non-slip base.
Tweaks and Improvements
Mark gave them a try, and he was pretty happy with the result. But he suggested making them a little thicker for better grip. So, I repeated the process, this time using two layers of rubber glued together. That seemed to do the trick!
Final Thoughts
Overall, “clara feet” was a fun little project. It was a good exercise in problem-solving and working with materials. Plus, I got to help a buddy out, which is always a win. If you’re looking for a simple DIY project to try, I highly recommend giving it a shot. Just be careful with that utility knife!
