Try my 3D-printed single paddle key
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2025 4:01 pm
I've been iterating for the past six months or so on an open-source 3D-printed single-paddle key, and I'm looking for feedback from more experienced CW ops.
This key uses a 3d-printed spring, can be held in the opposite hand, strap-mounted to leg or anything that it can be strapped to, or desk mounted with a whole mounting system. I can design additional mounts for other ideas, too!
https://gitlab.com/mcdanlj/Single-Paddle-Key
Download STL or STEP files of my current version. Read the documentation for assembly instructions, and tell me if anything is unclear. Your questions will help me write better assembly instructions when I put together a pictorial guide.
Some recent pictures and a video posted here:
https://social.makerforums.info/@mcdanl ... 0294630707
https://social.makerforums.info/@mcdanl ... 6691889532
https://social.makerforums.info/@mcdanl ... 2071635765
It can be modified to be larger, or softer, or stronger, or take different hardware. The whole thing is parametric, meaning you can just change some numbers in FreeCAD following extensive documentation in order to make it perfect for you. You can share your changed designs with other people without permission from or notice to me. You can even sell them, modified or unmodified, to others who want them and don't have the means or inclination to make them for themselves, and you won't owe me a cent. This is not a business, and I am not selling these keys. I just want to give back to this new-to-me community.
Because a bunch of the hardware costs less per unit when you buy bundles, this is an excellent club project. Print out one body of each spring weight, let members select their preferred spring weight, then print out their preferred spring weight. Get together and share out hardware and printed bodies to assemble and test.
For outside or car use, PETG or ABS is better than PLA, to avoid the "Oops the key melted in the heat" problem that comes with most PLA.
72 de KZ4LY
This key uses a 3d-printed spring, can be held in the opposite hand, strap-mounted to leg or anything that it can be strapped to, or desk mounted with a whole mounting system. I can design additional mounts for other ideas, too!
https://gitlab.com/mcdanlj/Single-Paddle-Key
Download STL or STEP files of my current version. Read the documentation for assembly instructions, and tell me if anything is unclear. Your questions will help me write better assembly instructions when I put together a pictorial guide.
Some recent pictures and a video posted here:
https://social.makerforums.info/@mcdanl ... 0294630707
https://social.makerforums.info/@mcdanl ... 6691889532
https://social.makerforums.info/@mcdanl ... 2071635765
It can be modified to be larger, or softer, or stronger, or take different hardware. The whole thing is parametric, meaning you can just change some numbers in FreeCAD following extensive documentation in order to make it perfect for you. You can share your changed designs with other people without permission from or notice to me. You can even sell them, modified or unmodified, to others who want them and don't have the means or inclination to make them for themselves, and you won't owe me a cent. This is not a business, and I am not selling these keys. I just want to give back to this new-to-me community.
Because a bunch of the hardware costs less per unit when you buy bundles, this is an excellent club project. Print out one body of each spring weight, let members select their preferred spring weight, then print out their preferred spring weight. Get together and share out hardware and printed bodies to assemble and test.
For outside or car use, PETG or ABS is better than PLA, to avoid the "Oops the key melted in the heat" problem that comes with most PLA.
72 de KZ4LY