Custom Switchblade Key Fob - LotusTalk

jpryor27 · 11-05-2008, 12:57 PM

Hey Guys,

So I got sick of looking at that replica penis and scrotum that is the stock Lotus key fob. I wanted more of an all in one solution. I checked out the BWR UniKey. While it is a cool idea and works for a lot of people, I personally didn't like the shape and size of it. I really wanted a switchblade design. I was jonesing for a project since i havent been able to drive much lately and finding no aftermarket solutions i decided i would try to make one myself.

See pictures below. They make more sense than my typing.

My idea was to pull the guts out of the Cobra fob and put them into a switchblade case for a different car. I bought a Honda switchblade case from Ebay. Of course Honda button pattern doesnt match the Cobra, so I took the buttons and face plate from an old TV remote, cut them out and put them in the honda case using plastic weld. I used the bottom half of the Cobra case to hold the board in place in the Honda case. For the key; I got a spare made, cut it down so it would fit, and JB welded it to the mechanism that flips the key. After all of the fabrication work was done, I filled, sanded, painted, and cleared the case.

Although it hasnt been battle tested yet, the whole thing feels really solid. The key and buttons work really well. I am pretty happy with the finished result. (although now i need to hire SweetDaddyD to make me a nice adhesive Lotus logo for the back!

)

This write-up obviously isn't a step by step how-to. There were many challenges (and screw ups) along the way. I have over ten hours of labor invested. I just wanted to let you guys know that if you are handy, a switchblade is possible!

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for looking,
Jon

jasper · 11-05-2008, 01:01 PM

now this is some down-home Mcgyver like action

DNA · 11-05-2008, 01:07 PM

Ahem...

Good job, by the way.

serpent · 11-05-2008, 01:14 PM

looks good

Ian · 11-05-2008, 01:31 PM

That's awesome.

What is your life like that you have 10 hours to invest in something like that?? I'm jealous.

Benjamin · 11-05-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

That's awesome.

What is your life like that you have 10 hours to invest in something like that?? I'm jealous.

Ouch - Low Blow.

Benjamin · 11-05-2008, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpryor27

So I got sick of looking at that replica penis and scrotum that is the stock Lotus key fob.

MidasHands · 11-05-2008, 02:04 PM

Thats awesome - I want one. Don't have time to make it now. Maybe in the future.

Ian · 11-05-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Ouch - Low Blow.

Not meant as a low blow. I'm truly jealous.

chapster5 · 11-05-2008, 02:26 PM

On the picture of the cut up remoter you have put the rubber buttons upside down, from how they would actually go with the shell

byr awsome work looks sweeet

Noel · 11-05-2008, 02:43 PM

Awesome work Jon! The BWR key doesn't appeal to me either. Would you consider making them for members who are interested in your product? It will be a great accessory to the community.

jpryor27 · 11-05-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chapster5

On the picture of the cut up remoter you have put the rubber buttons upside down, from how they would actually go with the shell

Good catch. Yeah, I accidentally put it upside down at first, DUH! It would have worked, except the smaller button would have been the one being pressed all the time and the larger one would never get used. (at least I never use it

) That would have bothered me so i switched it. Also, if you look closely, the buttons aren't the same either. I made ones that are glow in the dark.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

What is your life like that you have 10 hours to invest in something like that?? I'm jealous.

I'm a shift worker (real life Homer Simpson). My schedule is a five week rotation. Every fifth week is 7 days off. I love it!

jpryor27 · 11-05-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noel

Awesome work Jon! The BWR key doesn't appeal to me either. Would you consider making them for members who are interested in your product? It will be a great accessory to the community.

Thanks for the positive feedback everyone.

Even though if I were to do more of these i would get much more efficient at it, I don't think this sort of thing would be feasible on a mass production basis. (at least not from me) Each one would be a custom piece. Honestly, just this one took a lot out of me. I cant imagine doing another, much less several.

I'm hoping one of you guys with the resources could use this as inspiration for a mass production model.

SweetDaddyD · 11-05-2008, 03:18 PM

That is awesome. What a neat project. That is some good creativity.
I loved the switchblade key on my old VW and my Mom's Audi. The Lotus key (well 2005) is lame for any car. New ones are good.

Regarding the badge for it I have a couple left that were made to go in old shifter knobs and now a lot of people use them for an oil cap insert in the billet caps (although now I have a super cool large stock oil cap emblem cover). They are sized where they would probably work - about 1 1/8" PM or e-mail me if that sounds like what you want.

dma550 · 11-05-2008, 04:41 PM

this is cool, I wanted to do this and almost bought some of the honda blanks myself.

I would think someone like BWR could make.... (hundreds) of dollars on something like this!

apk919 · 11-05-2008, 04:51 PM

Awesome!

I may need to do this... where do you get the blanks? Any sources other than eBay?

jpryor27 · 11-05-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apk919

where do you get the blanks? Any sources other than eBay?

By blanks do you mean the case or the key?

The case i got from ebay...I'm not sure of any other sources.
The key i got made at a locksmith shop. I dremeled the tabs off so it would fit in the case.

Hope this helps,
Jon

Chococar · 11-05-2008, 09:31 PM

Nice!

Rugbyduck · 11-05-2008, 09:32 PM

Hmm... 10 hours or $50 for a BWR fob...

Now if you had made it look like a "vagina" fob...

Ken Wright · 11-06-2008, 06:50 AM

nice key but, where can i get one of those cool multitools?

11-05-2008, 12:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
jpryor27 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cicero, NY Posts: 178	Custom Switchblade Key Fob Hey Guys, So I got sick of looking at that replica penis and scrotum that is the stock Lotus key fob. I wanted more of an all in one solution. I checked out the BWR UniKey. While it is a cool idea and works for a lot of people, I personally didn't like the shape and size of it. I really wanted a switchblade design. I was jonesing for a project since i havent been able to drive much lately and finding no aftermarket solutions i decided i would try to make one myself. See pictures below. They make more sense than my typing. My idea was to pull the guts out of the Cobra fob and put them into a switchblade case for a different car. I bought a Honda switchblade case from Ebay. Of course Honda button pattern doesnt match the Cobra, so I took the buttons and face plate from an old TV remote, cut them out and put them in the honda case using plastic weld. I used the bottom half of the Cobra case to hold the board in place in the Honda case. For the key; I got a spare made, cut it down so it would fit, and JB welded it to the mechanism that flips the key. After all of the fabrication work was done, I filled, sanded, painted, and cleared the case. Although it hasnt been battle tested yet, the whole thing feels really solid. The key and buttons work really well. I am pretty happy with the finished result. (although now i need to hire SweetDaddyD to make me a nice adhesive Lotus logo for the back! ) This write-up obviously isn't a step by step how-to. There were many challenges (and screw ups) along the way. I have over ten hours of labor invested. I just wanted to let you guys know that if you are handy, a switchblade is possible! Let me know what you think. Thanks for looking, Jon Attached Images __________________ '06 Elise - Laser Blue, LSS, TP, TC, Starshield. Mods: Stage 2, LETSLA, Manly MM, Exige Seats, Bollocks, De-Snorkeled, Viper's AC Mod, Alpine PDX/JL Stealthbox, 35% Tint, Color Matched Tunnel/AC Surround, Switchblade Fob. To Do List: Mesh, S/C (Someday) A twirling visual overload, explosions of terror and beauty. Colors of fear and pain within clash into unanything. Last edited by jpryor27 : 02-24-2009 at 06:11 AM.

11-05-2008, 01:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
DNA Klutz Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 160	Ahem... Good job, by the way. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Lotus Elise Ardent Red, Biscuit, Touring, Starshield, HIDs, green filter & snorkel delete, JL Evolution TR speakers, micro mirror, visor delete, LIDbone, tow hook, raised LOTUS letters, carpet buttons, flux capacitor. Ooh, and I have Jim Clark driving gloves. 2010 Audi A3 quattro

11-05-2008, 01:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
serpent Driver!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3,467	looks good __________________ Studies show 100% of people die. Might as well have some fun.

11-05-2008, 01:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ian Certified Fun Stopper Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Antonio TX/Daytona Beach FL Posts: 4,050	That's awesome. What is your life like that you have 10 hours to invest in something like that?? I'm jealous. __________________ '06 Exige; Polar Blue; Track/Touring/Stage II/LSD-TC '05 Elise; Arctic Silver/Ruby Red (R.I.P)

11-05-2008, 02:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
MidasHands Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Glen Ridge, NJ Posts: 971	Thats awesome - I want one. Don't have time to make it now. Maybe in the future. __________________ - Mike 2006 KG Elise, Magnolia Interior

11-05-2008, 01:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
jasper thread killer Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 357	now this is some down-home Mcgyver like action

11-05-2008, 02:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
chapster5 Photochopper Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Merseyside, UK Posts: 2,639 Images: 6	On the picture of the cut up remoter you have put the rubber buttons upside down, from how they would actually go with the shell byr awsome work looks sweeet __________________ http://www.chuforiagraphics.com/ FOR ALL YOUR GRAPHICS NEEDS CONTACT KEITH ON: sweetdaddydelicious (AT) hotmail (DOT) com

11-05-2008, 02:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
Noel Exige Cup 255 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 33.87°S 151.21°E Car: ロータス MKII エキシージ Type: Komo-Tec S300 Posts: 329	Awesome work Jon! The BWR key doesn't appeal to me either. Would you consider making them for members who are interested in your product? It will be a great accessory to the community.

11-05-2008, 03:18 PM	#14 (permalink)
SweetDaddyD BANNED Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 7,644 Images: 2	That is awesome. What a neat project. That is some good creativity. I loved the switchblade key on my old VW and my Mom's Audi. The Lotus key (well 2005) is lame for any car. New ones are good. Regarding the badge for it I have a couple left that were made to go in old shifter knobs and now a lot of people use them for an oil cap insert in the billet caps (although now I have a super cool large stock oil cap emblem cover). They are sized where they would probably work - about 1 1/8" PM or e-mail me if that sounds like what you want.

11-05-2008, 04:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
dma550 Yahoo! Got my Rotus! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT, Shoreline area Posts: 1,188	this is cool, I wanted to do this and almost bought some of the honda blanks myself. I would think someone like BWR could make.... (hundreds) of dollars on something like this! __________________ David Avery 05 Lotus Elise ~ Arctic Silver ~ BWR SC ~ Gray RACs ~ Larini SE 08 BMW 135i Stock visit Spyderclub.com

11-05-2008, 04:51 PM	#16 (permalink)
apk919 User Restricted By ΑDMIΝ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Limbo Posts: 6,281 Images: 20	Awesome! I may need to do this... where do you get the blanks? Any sources other than eBay? __________________ * 2009 Lotus Challenge Series Rookie Of The Year * (Thanks Jim, Tom, Jack, Rob & Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch!) My videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/apk919

11-05-2008, 09:31 PM	#18 (permalink)
Chococar #334 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 1,546	Nice!

11-05-2008, 09:32 PM	#19 (permalink)
Rugbyduck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 2,795	Hmm... 10 hours or $50 for a BWR fob... Now if you had made it look like a "vagina" fob... __________________ '06 Krypton Green Elise (touring/LSD/HT) '05 Magnetic Blue Elise (sport/HT) dedicated track car '07 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (4 door!) Excelsior-Henderson Super X/Ducati Monster 620 ie 3 Series BMW/Acura MDX Carver Yacht

11-06-2008, 06:50 AM	#20 (permalink)
Ken Wright Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 491	nice key but, where can i get one of those cool multitools? __________________ All torque, no traction...Exige S. Real sports cars don't have A/C!

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