Key Fob · Garrett

Process

Using the salvaged electronics as a template, I designed the new enclosure, being sure to fix the original’s inadvertent button press, loose battery terminal, and weak key ring issues in the meantime. I scrapped the generic oblong buttons for shapes that could be easily distinguished while still in my pocket and gave the overall fob more handsome proportions (inspired by the car itself).

The first version worked, but it was difficult to use and assemble, bowed in the middle, and liked coming apart. Version 2 fixed these issues but the key ring holder separated over time. Version 3 was a hand carved hardwood case that fixed the ring issue but had its own tolerance temperaments. V3 gained some interest on a car forum, so I made 2 “production-grade” modifications before publishing the model: standard fasteners and redesigned curvature (to make it more suitable for a 3-axis CNC mill).