3D printed key fob - minimum size!

[fixbroke]

A while back I was looking at the giant Jeep key fob and thinking about how it could be made smaller. I know about the AJT key fob, but I thought I could make one even smaller and practically for free. Here's what I came up with.

Compared to the original fob, it's tiny. It feels much better in the pocket.

The downsides are that it's no longer waterproof, and you've got to do some careful cutting of your original fob. I used a small cut-off wheel followed by some sanding. I probably sanded off a little more than I needed to, so I'd suggest going at it slowly with lots of test fitting. Excuse the gross pocket grunge in the following pics - this thing has been in my pocket since December and the proximity entry option means I never have to look at my key!

The fob includes a small pocket for the transponder, so it can still be used if the fob battery dies.

I've attached a zip file with the STL if you'd like to print one of your own. You'll have to use a flexible TPU-type material, since you have to stretch the case open to get the electronics inside. It won't work if printed with PLA or ABS.

See the AJT fob product page for a tutorial on disassembling the original fob. Or just buy their product if you'd like something a little more professional, although a little bigger.

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[whodewhodewhooo]

Had a similar idea when I got a printer, but don’t have any buttons on my key so that made things a little easier to enclose it. Still wouldn’t call it waterproof though, and I still need to make a spot for the transponder in case the battery dies. Nice design!