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Wires & PliersMy favorite keyKENT BAILEY, WA4DQU
The base is cedar and is 5/8 of an inch thick, 3 and 1/2 inches wide and the length can be adjusted to whatever feels good for the operator. The metal hold down is 3/4 of an inch thick, 3 and 1/4 inches wide, 3 and 1/4 inches long and 1/8 of an inch thick. The block and metal hold down plus one wire are held to the base with two 6/32 of an inch screws with counter-sunk heads and nuts. The actual paddle is an "Ekco" two inch putty knife found at a supermarket. The knob is birch, and is 1 and 1/2 inches in diameter. It was purchased at my local "Ace Hardware" store and they come packaged two per bag. The striker plate is 1-inch square and 1/8 of an inch thick with small holes in each corner for nails. I used brass linoleum nails to fasten to the board. I drilled a hole through the center of the striker plate for a 6/32 inch screw with nuts on both sides of the plate. The nuts lock the striker screw at the proper height and lock the other wire to the striker. The wood is waxed with several coats applied. This is the best home-made straight key I have ever used riding, walking, standing, sitting or floating. |
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As
you can see in the photo graph, I have built a very unusual and interesting
hand key. It is my favorite key and is made from commonly available materials,
and should cost less than $10.00 to build.