I 'liberated' a Russian KDM sideswiper from a russian-built ship I sailed on in the 70s. Great for sending number blocks, as in OBS msgs. I had always wondered why the Russian operators were so much better than us at morse.
Just stumbled on this Steve. Great video, I’ve always wanted to build a cootie key and never had the chance. We just sold our house and I’ve been packing up my wood shop to organize, sell off, and downsize and have come across enough parts to make a few cootie keys. That is one of my winter projects now after we get situated in the next place. W1ND
Thank you for this video...this will be my first key. Just started learning CW and have a long way to go, but will learn with this...and the 'stair gauge' idea is great. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Raymond - WF7BSR
Thanks for sharing this. I am planning on building a cootie key myself. I like that weight idea! Wonder since I don’t have a Home Depot around if Lowe’s sells those? 73 WD8WV
I found a display in the flooring section of local Lowes that had samples of flooring...they are pieces of the hardwood flooring, cut at approx. 4x5 inches, and surprisingly have a hefty weight for the size. They were priced at 25 cents each, but when I looked at the Lowes website just now, to show you a link, they are priced at $1.00-each...in the store I found them near the work-station where you can talk to the sales associate to order flooring in the flooring department; may vary from store to store: www.lowes.com/pd/Cali-Bamboo-Fossilized-Bamboo-Hardwood-Flooring-Sample-Antique-Java/1000553093
Rob Cridland - It's extremely personal and will probably change as you become more skilled with the key. I am just starting with this kind of key (and CW in general) so I wanted something that would require some force to manipulate so I wouldn't accidentally send when I didn't mean to, but I realized that I'd probably want to change that as I got better. So I built mine with two blades epoxyed together, about 8 inches long, and put a slider between the mount and contact end that varies the effective length and lets me change the force required to displace the blade from center.
Great video and new to CW. I would like to make a key and this is the best video i have found, showing how you did it. Iwill be talking notes on what to get. HI HI 73s and have a great day de KD8VSP
That will work however a "paddle" needs to have a short swing and tactile feedback while the sideswiper needs a rather wide space with a softer feel. It's hard to explain.
I 'liberated' a Russian KDM sideswiper from a russian-built ship I sailed on in the 70s. Great for sending number blocks, as in OBS msgs. I had always wondered why the Russian operators were so much better than us at morse.
Just stumbled on this Steve. Great video, I’ve always wanted to build a cootie key and never had the chance. We just sold our house and I’ve been packing up my wood shop to organize, sell off, and downsize and have come across enough parts to make a few cootie keys. That is one of my winter projects now after we get situated in the next place.
W1ND
Great callsign!
Lot of great info there, Steve. Thanks! I'm getting ready to make my first sideswiper and will build your design. That stair gauge trick is brilliant!
Thank you for this video...this will be my first key. Just started learning CW and have a long way to go, but will learn with this...and the 'stair gauge' idea is great. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Raymond - WF7BSR
Always enjoy your videos
Good grief, I love this video. Oddly enough the Furniture pad idea made me laugh at its simplicity. Well done ...
Just letting you know, I am going to "steal" this idea. ;)
Thanks for sharing this. I am planning on building a cootie key myself. I like that weight idea! Wonder since I don’t have a Home Depot around if Lowe’s sells those? 73 WD8WV
Yes, Lowe's carries these as well...www.lowes.com/pd/Swanson-Tool-Company-Brass-Stair-Gauge/3009735
Another great video Steve.......NZ8J
Looking all over at Lowes for resin tile sample, but all I can find is ceramic tile. What do they call that type of material?
It's probably at least 35 years old. I have no idea what the stuff is called. But it sure is great to work with. If you ever find out let me know
I found a display in the flooring section of local Lowes that had samples of flooring...they are pieces of the hardwood flooring, cut at approx. 4x5 inches, and surprisingly have a hefty weight for the size. They were priced at 25 cents each, but when I looked at the Lowes website just now, to show you a link, they are priced at $1.00-each...in the store I found them near the work-station where you can talk to the sales associate to order flooring in the flooring department; may vary from store to store:
www.lowes.com/pd/Cali-Bamboo-Fossilized-Bamboo-Hardwood-Flooring-Sample-Antique-Java/1000553093
@Raymond L. Now they are $2.99.
Hi Steve - great video. I wonder how long you consider the 'best' hacksaw blade to be?
Rob Cridland - It's extremely personal and will probably change as you become more skilled with the key. I am just starting with this kind of key (and CW in general) so I wanted something that would require some force to manipulate so I wouldn't accidentally send when I didn't mean to, but I realized that I'd probably want to change that as I got better. So I built mine with two blades epoxyed together, about 8 inches long, and put a slider between the mount and contact end that varies the effective length and lets me change the force required to displace the blade from center.
Great video and new to CW. I would like to make a key and this is the best video i have found, showing how you did it. Iwill be talking notes on what to get. HI HI 73s and have a great day de KD8VSP
Nice key !
Simple but good job
Good stuff- thanks!
why not just use a 3wire plug and turn this into a paddle?
one side would give a . and the other a _ .
That will work however a "paddle" needs to have a short swing and tactile feedback while the sideswiper needs a rather wide space with a softer feel. It's hard to explain.