How to Make a Ham Key

Mark the drill points on the wooden block. The terminal posts will go in two corners of the short side of the wooden block --- about 1/2 inch from each side. Draw a center line down the middle of the block between the two terminal posts. Lay one of the ignition points with one end of the leaf spring that comes with the points on the mark for a terminal post and the other end on the center line and mark it with a "C" for contact. Make another mark on the center line 1/2 inch forward of the terminal posts and label this "E" for end-point. Half way between point E and the edge of the block away from the terminal posts, make a mark on the center line and label it "A" for axle.

Drill holes 1/2 inch from each end of the brass rod --- these holes should be parallel. Lay the brass rod along the center line of the block so one of the holes is above the E mark. Mark the C and A places on the brass rod. Drill a hole in the brass rod at the C place that is parallel to the end holes. Drill a hole in the brass rod at the A place that is perpendicular to the other three holes.

Drill the holes in the block for the terminal posts and install them, attaching one point to one of the posts. Install two angle brackets (with wood screws) on either side of point A so a bolt can be run through the angle brackets and the brass rod at the A point. A metal strip should run from the other terminal post to one of the angle brackets. The compression spring goes between the brass rod and the block half way between points A and E. Take the other point off its strip and solder it to the end of a screw and file the joint smooth. Put this screw through the brass rod at point C. Attach the rod to the block at point E. Glue the head of a screw to a knob and run this through the other end of the brass rod.

You now have a finished ham key. Connect the terminal posts to the circuit you will be keying and start sending code by pressing and releasing the brass rod knob that extends past the block on the non-terminal side.