Episode 16: Making a Mickey Mouse doorbell with OpenSCAD (Tutorial)

November 4, 2025

Timecodes:

00:00 - Opening Credits
00:09 - Introduction
00:59 - Intellectual property discussion
02:02 - OpenSCAD boilerplate and libraries
03:01 - Adding some variables and taking measurements
07:26 - Starting the basic head shape
08:00 - Thinking through the design and having an epiphany
08:53 - Trim piece mock up
11:28 - Initial “face” cylinder
14:04 - “Ears”
15:51 - Making the hole for the button
18:47 - Adding screw holes
25:29 - Adding wiring hole
26:27 - Adding a lip so the button snaps into place
30:14 - Review and pan around before export
30:31 - Discussion of support considerations for printing
31:18 - Render and export
31:40 - Plating and slicing
33:36 - Messing with infill settings
34:35 - Printing timelapse
34:51 - Support removal
36:21 - Button fit test
37:03 - Screw fit test
38:47 - Installation on the front door
38:53 - Removal of old doorbell
39:17 - Marking for placement
39:54 - Installing the housing
40:07 - Pulling the wires through
41:21 - Screwing it down - Blu-Tack to the rescue
43:17 - Installing the button
44:49 - All done!
45:02 - Recommendation

References:

SCAD and STL: https://github.com/mattcaron/scad/tree/mickey_mouse_doorbell/mickey_mouse_doorbell

Illuminated Dooorbell Switch: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP2F2V3F

Wikipedia Copyright page about Mickey Mouse: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Works_based_on_a_copyright-free_Mickey_Mouse

OpenSCAD: https://openscad.org/

Chamfers for OpenSCAD: https://github.com/SebiTimeWaster/Chamfers-for-OpenSCAD

Metal Spudger Set: https://www.ifixit.com/products/metal-spudger-set

Blu Tack: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu_Tack

Recommendation: And on that Bombshell: Inside the Madness and Genius of Top Gear: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27253063-and-on-that-bombshell