You Can't Buy Ergonomic Mice Like This (Free 3D Models)

Improving the best ergonomic computer mouse input devices using 3d printing. These are all devices I purchased, not sponsored or sent for free. My current setup includes a Kinesis DXT vertical mouse, Kensington SlimBlade trackball, a SpaceMouse with a Rii mini keyboard for easy access to shortcuts and a Huion HS64 graphic tablet. In my opinion this is the perfect combination of devices for 3d modeling plus photo and video editing.
| Free 3D Printable Files |
DXT Vertical Mouse Thumb Rest: www.myminifact...
Kinesis Trackball Hand Rest: www.myminifact...
SpaceMouse Keyboard Holder: www.myminifact...
Huion Tablet Pen Thumb Rest: www.myminifact...
| Supplies |
Kinesis DXT Vertical Mouse (Wireless)
USA: amzn.to/37i3zZq
CA: amzn.to/364BVPo
Kensington SlimBlade Trackball
USA: amzn.to/2SzcOQV
CA: amzn.to/366pG52
SpaceMouse Compact (Wired)
USA: amzn.to/2Qiswz5
UK: amzn.to/2JVqNgo
CA: amzn.to/2JYRtg3
Rii Mini Wireless Keyboard
USA: amzn.to/39qTb3g
CA: amzn.to/37eVzIC
Huion HS64 Graphic Tablet
USA: amzn.to/2Q7LbN9
CA: amzn.to/39oDjys
Recorded on Canon Powershot G7X
USA: amzn.to/2oqPTEu
CA: amzn.to/2WlHc4d
Lighting Kit
USA: amzn.to/2DfaMiG
CA: amzn.to/2IiFcjy
The above links include Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases when you shop through these links at no additional cost to you. Thank you.

[@azmiadhani7934]

this woman literally print everything she need

[@Boissinova]

azmi adhani loll

[@gamawanardiyanto4793]

Hold-up

[@_skiel]

lets check her bedroom :D

[@bluegreen5768]

yea she freakin cool

[@Steph.98114]

The benefits of a 3d printer and cad skills

[@cyruscatfisher]

"Didn't like the reality - printed her own". Amazing stuff!

[@herrkrake8106]

You can print your own reality, but you can't run away from yourself. Привет :3

[@Hirudin]

That's awesome that you took the initiative to fix your peripherals! I'd like to start using an ergonomic mouse, but I also like mice with lots of programmable buttons. I've thought about how cool it would be to convert a fancy Logitech gaming mouse into an ergo mouse, but I've never taken the time to actually design or make anything. Great video!

[@wydx120]

Look into Ploopy mice!

[@Hirudin]

@@wydx120 Thanks for the tip!

[@integza]

I literally had never heard about vertical mouses. Cool video !

[@InspiredFortunes]

Where were you over the last 10 years?

[@sillaceestekay2069]

Hello!

[@marianwhit]

You are a genius! A true designer...please go help logitech update their red ball mouse, lol. I love that you change your world to make it work.

[@JellyOsaurus]

I love how innovative you are with 3d prints, plus i also like how you are using your peripherals left handed which aligns to how i use them too, so it gives me a rough idea of what i should print/buy. good video.

[@LindyDesignLab]

Yeah, building the coordination to use left hand as primary, as a very right handed person, sucked for like a year but so worth it to have the versatility. Trying a Keymecher track pad lately which also sucks, super frustrating, but really easy on the fingers and wrist. Good luck finding a setup that works for you.

[@thesecretgrimoireofturiel6040]

Thank you for this - I am just searching for an ergonomic solution after busting my wrist in online Uni courses. A very neat video, nicely presented, and your custom 3d printed parts add a component that obviously cannot be found on other similar videos. My setup will end up being quite different as our needs are so dissimilar, but you definitely earned my sub.

[@limartin9717]

May I ask what product did you buy eventually？ I am seeking for mouse alternatives too

[@brnne]

5:43 I just press the buttons with my ring finger. Also the extended part I get you, but what made me feel better is make smaller the canvas part in the app. There's already a solution for this and make your hand/pulse less stressful like in a big canvas. Working in small places is better for the health of the hand

[@JustInTime0525]

Those are some great designs! As for USB randomly stop working, try to disable "USB selective suspend setting" in your power settings. I hope that helps!

[@LindyDesignLab]

I've changed the setting and am observing to see if that fixes it. Thanks.

[@NimW]

Did it work?

[@Oleg_K.]

Did it work?

[@aeonnight1012]

Thanks for the great info! i made the decision and purchased a slimblade after watchin your vid as we have similar skill sets, so I thought it would improve my workflow too, and no regrets the slimblade really is a pleasure to use!. Being able to move my mouse hand in an organic manner as opposed to the rigid traditional mouse interface is an absolute god send, one of the best devices any computer worker could add to their arsenal!

[@johnconnor4136]

You always have amazing ideas and a unique way of thinking about things. I am in love with your brain

[@monochrome_linux]

I love how she is like: Fine, I'll do it myself

[@BJbear2001]

I like the simplisity and potential portability of these peripherals. If you would want to try mixing two items, I'd like to see what you'd think of the Kensington Slimblade trackball and Tourbox NEO. They should be able to take the place of your keyboard, wheel, and trackball. Between the two, there are enough assignable buttons that they should be able to manage most level 1 to level 2 program functions(levels by how many menu selections have to be made per action), in theory. I love the ingenuity here! I'll be watching for more.

[@rpatrick2]

I have been using he Kensington slimblade and a Kinesis for years. I've been looking for a macropad for my left hand to add some layers for CAD.

[@davidsauceda830]

I love how literally showed how the products could be better. awesome attention to detail!

[@strayblackcatsmeow]

Wanted a similar set up for 3d rendering. Settled for a dedicated wireless left hand track ball, the ELECOM M-XT4DR and a wireless medium XP Deco Pro tablet for the right hand. Plenty of programmable buttons and two scroll wheels. The left hand track ball mouse was easier to adapt to than expected.

[@highgatehandyman6479]

Thanks for the space mouse download. Saved me from buying the bigger version. Im using it with a wireless mini number pad ive mapped

[@sablesanctum]

Subscription earned at 0:25.

[@taylormanning2709]

WHOA that is an AWESOME fix for the vertical mouse

[@samuele5931]

I always thought 3d printing was not useful most of the time but this is making me change idea

[@iAfnano]

I'm not gonna do any of this but enjoyed watching. You're super awesome! Thank you

[@MythixMusic1]

LOVE the Space Mouse idea. I actually every single one they make, and not fully happy with any of them. This is a good step in the right direction

[@jakeharms1386]

Just wanted you to know you are unique and amazing :)

[@floydmoats]

Great setup, thanks for sharing.

[@divencia]

Very happy new year Lindy, more projects and more knowledge for you

[@LindyDesignLab]

Happy new year!

[@Hyraethian]

3d printing is really useful for this kind of stuff. 90% of my prints are custom adapters. You've got a human hand and a computer mouse, print a custom adapter, haha.

[@vlesmeries]

Love how innovative you are and always looking tho improve upon things. Well done. I'll try doing the same without a 3d printer 😀

[@Amirikl1]

You are the queen of practicality! I love the way you think! 💪😎

[@LindyDesignLab]

Thanks... intj :)

[@laughingvampire7555]

the best scrolling experience in my life comes from a thinkpad trackpoint, the trackpoint is this red "nipple" in the middle of thinkpads and some other pcs and you just do a middle click and then press the trackpoint as if you were moving the pointer and scrolls in 2d, better than any scroll wheel and better than a trackpad.

[@KeplerJohanes]

Wow! It's great! You is very smart and skillful

[@alwaysemployed656]

Ha ha! I got the same exact Amazon Basic keyboard she's got. It's only like $10 and super comfortable to use.

[@JasonWh]

really cool everything you did! Nice video!!

[@robbie4711]

thanx man! it was very easy to do this with your very clear video! now its working like a charm!!!😄😄

[@ydin9]

A lot of those should be included in the package. Ghost the video, patent and sell to the companies. :)

[@LindyDesignLab]

Ha!

[@marianwhit]

@@LindyDesignLab Seriously, you are an inventor...you could make money with these.

[@gmarkphillips]

Wow, you're an inspiration! I love your inventiveness.

[@cryptout]

Palm rests can cause rsi, it's better to float your hand or rest it at the elbow.

[@chrisliddiard725]

That space mouse and keyboard is so cool with your 3d print. If this were on the market as a product i'd buy it. Im now wondering if there's a service which will print 3d files for those of use who haven't yet purchased a 3d printer. About the Usb devices disconnecting. There is a setting on windows to control this. Its basically a powersaving setting. I found it searching "windows usb sleep" . press windows key + R, type powercfg.cpl , on the Power Options, click 'change plan settings', then select 'Change advance power settings', find and expand 'Usb Settings', expand 'Usb selective suspend setting' and set to disable. Apply and save. This should stop Windows powering down any connected usb devices.

[@LindyDesignLab]

There are certainly online printing services such as Shapeways, but you will get much better value investing in an inexpensive printer if you can spare a little sweat equity learning how to use it.

[@lenders1164]

Thinking like an engineer!

[@cyclamengarden]

Now I know what can be done with a 3D printer! Amazing :)

[@josephreckers409]

Wow, very nice customizations

[@jmigda]

Haven't you tried using the Pro or the Enterprise versions of 3DConnexion's Space Mouse? They have those kind of mini-keyboards built in next to the 3D knob already. Similarly, Wacom's Intuos Pro tablets have this large amount of space around the touch area that you're looking for, in addition to some extra shortcut buttons and dials and the overall class-leading digitizer hardware. Btw. I do admire all the effort that you put into designing all those custom add-ons for your devices - I occasionally also do some minor tweaks and modifications to the hardware I'm using, although certainly not on such a scale as you seem to be doing - one could get the impression that you go through this whole process of iterative customizations with almost every single new gadget you get :)

[@vitaliistep]

Kudos for creativity!

[@nh8444]

Omg that’s incredible.

[@SlavaChrome]

Keep it so simple works good always! Great video!

[@philwang2835]

Lol lady, you are giving free consultation to these companies!

[@msp420]

You are amazing!!! Thank you for your innovations.

[@bonilla2022]

Great reviews! Thank you.

[@XMegaJuni]

I love you please keep this up! Thank you so much! ! !.

[@notinajaronmars]

This new "vertical mousepad" thing might be of interest to you. I got an early sample of one from Orb Control called mouseramp. Like you I use my pointer tracking devices for task specific computing, I use different devices for different tasks. It reduces the strain like a vert mouse does. Overall I like being able to use a regular mouse with it because I can be way quicker and more accurate. Hope this helps. Thanks for the thorough review.

[@LindyDesignLab]

Primarily using a keymecher mano trackpad on a 3D printed vertical stand these days... button clicking for any mouse was irritating the finger joints. Definitely agree a normal mouse is more precise and faster though.

[@notinajaronmars]

@@LindyDesignLab Yes. I’d like to see your 3D printed vertical stand. How is it using a mouse on it?

[@LindyDesignLab]

It was designed only to hold a trackpad. Showed it in a Short recently and free to download www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-236618

[@notinajaronmars]

I took a look at the vertical trackpad stand. I think you have great design ability and would like to collaborate with you one of these days :) I’ll be in touch. I followed you on that website. Peace!

[@JamesTsividis]

Desksetops! Inspiring thank you.

[@b25671]

Maybe you can print a mouse-holder to create a vertical mouse with a normal mouse?

[@ultraderek]

Using a 3d printer like one should.

[@herrkrake8106]

Hand rest for the SlimBlade useful for small hands. I've printed one and realize that it's very uncomfortable for me. The ball is placed right in the center under my palm, not how it should be, right under my fingers.

[@vfxforge]

damn, you got a full arsenal there :) do you take all these with you when you travel?

[@LindyDesignLab]

As many as will fit in the bag.

[@714SNF]

so creative, i love it

[@bartoszulkowskitattoo]

This is amazing! I love Your thinking process! INSTANT SUB.

[@nibtreak5308]

Very good video, thanks for sharing! It might be over 2 years old, but it is still fully relevant. At least for me ;)

[@lerneninverschiedenenforme7513]

Freaking awesome!!!

[@CrowClouds]

You absolute mad lad

[@mrbigberd]

You should try printing your own ploopy trackball. It’s way better than Kensington

[@LindyDesignLab]

Had to look that one up... cool.

[@othoapproto9603]

Nice work. I'm obsessed with computer input devices. Have you tried the ShuttleProv2? Wonderful device because it has a 2 Jog wheel. I assign bush scaling and hardness to the other wheel.

[@alterstassfurter5743]

Have you ever tryed a logitech ergo MX ? I use it for Fusion 360 and a lot of Windows apps and at the moment I am satisfied...👍

[@davemarlow1697]

Rather than a keyboard I've been fooling around with an app which simulates a stream deck (in my case" macro deck") very promising and all you need is an old phone or tablet

[@damontellegen3569]

So you're amazing. May I ask did you designed objects you printed also or did you find them in a repository? Im guessing you designed them yourself. your like my hero! I've wanted to get into 3D printing (due to the fact im constantly tweaking thngs to get them to EXACTLY where i want them) but alas have not yet

[@LindyDesignLab]

Everything designed in fusion 360. Fantastic program if you push through the learning curve. It is so affordable to get into 3D printing these days, couple hundred bucks and a couple hours of assembly on a BIQU printer you're good to go.

[@jarnobot]

These are some very cool idea's, I love the way you solve the problems you had with the original products! I was only a bit surprised that you're using a Amazon Basics keyboard, considering you went all in on ergonomic mouse replacements. Have you ever tried/considered a ergonomic keyboard, like the ZSA Moonlander or Ergodox EZ? If so, why did you decide going for a basic keyboard, while going all in on the mouse replacements?

[@LindyDesignLab]

Good point, the large keyboard is just what I had on hand, not something chosen in particular. I've looked into other types a bit but haven't tried a specialized one because the basic keyboard hasn't caused any particular problems for me yet.

[@jarnobot]

@@LindyDesignLab Makes sense! Thank you for answering :)

[@user-ot1dv6ri4f]

hopefully by no you've got an ergo split keyboard as well

[@alphatonic1481]

That's an awesome setup. I always thought about getting a trackball just for work related use ... or is it possible to play games using a trackball? I guess the precision and speed would be a problem in fast paced first person shooters. Right now i use a G600 from Logitech and i actually use each button that mouse has and i don't think i could ever go back to a mouse with less buttons.

[@duckrutt]

I used to use a mouseman plus for gaming, it was fine. I was never big on multiplayer so pinch of salt and all that.

[@Frenziefrenz]

You can play fast-paced first person shooters just fine with a trackball. However, while I think Kensington makes the most comfortable models (whether the Expert Mouse or the one in this video), afaik they still include sensors from the stone age. It may be priced like a good mouse, but on the component side it's more like a cheap mouse. That's what'll put you at a minor disadvantage depending on what your opponents have, not the fact that it's a trackball. Besides the sensor, there's the fact that you've got many years or perhaps even decades of mousing experience, so it'll take at the very least a few days to approximate your usual skill level. It's probably better to start using it for regular computing tasks for a while before you try to play a game with it. Walk before you run, that kind of thing. Starting with running would falsely give you the impression that you just can't. My ideal trackball would be something like my Expert Mouse with the sensor components from the Elecom Huge. (Not actually ideal obviously, but basically what I think/hope Kensington or Elecom or possibly Logitech might realistically release.) I looked up this G600 and it seems to have the capability to easily switch DPI on the fly. That's the kind of functionality you unfortunately just don't get on a trackball, although it is slightly less necessary because it's easier to be speedy as well as precise without changing DPI and/or acceleration. Elecom trackballs can technically switch DPI on the fly, but I believe it's with awkward hardware sliders on all of them, not quite something you can quickly and reliably execute while engaging your sniper rifle or whatever. Also the G600 has significantly more DPI settings to play around with. I don't personally like the Ergo MX line by Logitech as much, but in any case those are also comparatively lacking in settings. It looks like the G600 in particular has a bog-standard awful scrollwheel of the type I've hated since the '90s, but you also don't get proper modern freescrolling wheels on trackballs. Mind you, the scrollring concept on the Expert Mouse is theoretically superior to any scrollwheel, but the actual execution is mediocre to bad. Modern scrollwheels *can* be better, even if on 99 % of mice they aren't. The Slimblade from this video scrolls by moving the ball itself, which is clever and works fairly well, but that means you can't combine it with cursor movements, which probably makes it less useful for the kind of games we're talking about. (Although I personally tend to prefer quick number selection over scrolling, so ymmv.) So I'll try to condense the above stream of consciousness into a conclusion of some sort. There's nothing inherently inferior about a trackball as a concept. I believe it may actually be superior in terms of speed and accuracy when compared to an above average mouse, even when it has inferior sensors. But if you put them up next to a proper mouse (like the G600?) they just won't hold up due to inferior parts and functionality. PS As to whatever you can do with the fifty buttons on the G600, it strongly looks like they all have inferior switches that would be much better served by something keyboard-ish. Assuming a proper keyboard of course, not some mushy rubber dome. The concept of having a few thumb buttons seems decent, but on my Elecom Huge I absolutely despise the feel of the inferior switches next to the primary ones. That makes the extra thumb buttons nigh useless to me. Much the same applies to the awful switches under the extra buttons on my wife's Ergo MX. One thing the Kensingtons do use is good switches, but of course you only get four of them. (In terms of actual actions six or eight or something, since you can assign actions to clicking two at once… that probably doesn't really work in the middle of a game but again ymmv.) tl;dr (again?) I would definitely recommend getting a Kensington Expert Mouse or Slimblade. But unfortunately it probably won't quite match the G600, mainly for sensor reasons.

[@leyrua]

3D printing really is the future.

[@DjdoubleedgeRegg]

Great work! I'll be buying one of your palm rest for the iMouse T50 - Wireless Trackball Mouse?

[@smashino]

I know you probably are a busy man, but I would love some more content like this. Especially with you describing the flying and the prep you do before. It's very interesting!

[@fa-ajn9881]

How about a dactyl manuform with a trackball

[@VulcanOnWheels]

2:26 While I applaud your ingenuity, if you had treated yourself to one of the more elaborate 3D mice, you would not have the problem of a lack of extra buttons within easy reach.

[@EricBradenD]

I love my Spacemouse Enterprise but it's five times the cost of the little one. I can definitely see going her route if you're on a budget.

[@solovoypasando]

Impressive

[@PhillipAmthor]

Good video! What do you think about working with motion control in vr? I want a setup where i dont use a vr headset but a beamer to use multiple walls as screens and only use motion controls

[@Fee.1]

Do you have a video review of the digitizer or the space mouse?would love to hear in depth your thoughts and how they work

[@TheOldMan-75]

That keyboard is just adorable ^^

[@xinyicai6241]

Smart!

[@MapleJokerRofl]

I've been looking at these options past few days. From what I've found is that Kensington's software is pretty shit and sometimes interrupts with other peripherals

[@jm_mort]

I recently bought a Huion Inspiroy Dial - for hobbyist purposes, i find it ok but the pen is defo problematic with the buttons and rolling off everywhere :P

[@ysnfrk2515]

Hello there; Which is more useful in industrial design programs? for example; Soldiworks, Catia Which would you recommend for ease of use? Thanks for the feed back...

[@KazujinsTennoLab]

U probably have too much device connected to your computer via hub. (Frequent disconnects) They have limits especially when plugging more power usage ones like usb harddrives.

[@LindyDesignLab]

Possibly, although it seems to happen when plugged directly into the laptop also.

[@tebla2074]

cool. So are you using each device for a different specific piece of software, or just swapping between them all to present rsi?

[@LindyDesignLab]

Vertical mouse for everyday use, trackball and mini keyboard primarily for video editing, tablet for photo editing, space mouse for everything because it offers low strain scroll/zoom/3D nav.

[@anantgillmusic]

you are amazing

[@LindyDesignLab]

Thank you.

[@7stringbassist]

This is brilliant stuff!! If I use the free files (which is really generous of you), is there any technical info that I need to tell someone as well (which kind of filament?). I know nothing about 3D printing (music is my thing!!). Thanks and regards. 👍 👍

[@LindyDesignLab]

I used matte fiber htpla from proto-pasta which has a rough, grippy texture. Plain PLA should work fine but may fit slightly differently, also depending on the printer. You could always scale it up or down a tad or sand down an edge to make it fit how you want.

[@MelvilleG]

Bought myself a Slimblade. The wrist hurts even more, lol

[@lerneninverschiedenenforme7513]

Regarding "Huion Tablet Pen Thumb Rest" Could you scale that down, so it has an inner diameter of 1cm only? (currently it seems to be ≈1.3cm) Then it should fit for a WACOM pen, too ( ... which I have... :P )

[@hugokabonsen5049]

Conclusion: devices are shit but you fixed it. Jk thank you for the information!

[@FreyaVal]

I want to ask you something but I doubt that you will answer this but i try anyway: have you ever used Maya 3D in combination with your Kensington trackball? If you do, is it convenient? Or is it possible, anyway?

[@lerneninverschiedenenforme7513]

6:30 (pen tablet too "small"): I'm having exactly the same problem with mine (same size)! Do you already have a solution here? I was thinking of making it bigger through a surface, that would extend it about 10cm to the right and surround it on the left to not slip away. Do you happen to have created a pen-holder so you could "plug" you pen onto the pen tablet?

[@sleepingturtle32]

Can someone make a 3D printable model for the kingsington expert that makes it so that your forearm can rest on the desk instead of floating when operating it? Thanks!

[@Steph.98114]

Even better download fusion 360 and do it yourself, teach yourself a useful life skill

[@zeultimo]

Good usage of 3d printin' the audio & her reflection on the sling blade did not match & it bothered me, felt like someone ripped the video :(

[@oh-ox9sj]

i cant drag click on those tho

[@mopododo]

but why so many devices?

[@BS-my2ky]

can you use the trackball like spacemouse as in 3d nagivation while using your mouse with the other hand as a cursor for selecting a 3d face or vertex in 3d modeling.

[@jyang6859]

Hi Lindy, thanks for the informative video! I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing the stl file for the palm rester for Kensington mouse. I have been on rehab for my wrist for a year and just started using the Kensington mouse but found it to be a bit uncomfortable for my wrist but having a palm rester like yours would really help! Thanks so much for your consideration :)

[@LindyDesignLab]

Link to the free download is in the description.

[@jyang6859]

@@LindyDesignLab Thanks a lot! Have a great rest of your day :)

[@jyang6859]

@@LindyDesignLab Which material would you recommend to use? PLA? ABS?

[@demos113]

Lovely work. :-)

[@NicksStuff]

Trackball: rather than "just" a palm rest, have you considered creating a vertical mount/holder (that may or may not integrate a palm rest)?

[@royregis1129]

do you know how to make touchpads like logitech t650 or apple magic trackpad 2 more ergonomic as i'm getting wrist pain at desk?

[@yourpersonalspammer]

which do you use while 3d modelling most? vertical and spacemouse, trackball and spacemouse or all 3?

[@LindyDesignLab]

Spacemouse with the vertical, slightly easier on the wrist than the trackball.

nice video but one thing i need to say. i burst out when i saw your amazon basics keyboard as you spend your money on these gear so hard but for a keyboard only 15 bucks :D

[@jya811]

Do you sell anything that you print? Would be interested in a palm rest for the Kensington slimblade trackball! I currently have the expert and find the angle is too steep, so want to try the slimblade but it doesn't come with a palm rest.

[@LindyDesignLab]

The designs are posted free on myminifactory, link in description.

[@jya811]

I don't have a 3d printer