Creating a DIY Morse-Vail telegraph key using a clothespin offers a hands-on exploration of early telegraphy. However, standard laundry clothespins typically range from 1" to 4" and often lack sufficient stability. The largest available 4" clothespin is challenging to find and does not fully replicate one essential component: the trunnion.
In original Morse-Vail keys, a trunnion—a specialized pivot or ball-bearing mechanism—supports smooth and stable motion of the lever. Regular clothespins lack this trunnion, resulting in less precise lever action. Using a larger 6" decorative clothespin partially addresses this issue. Its larger spring mimics the trunnion's pivot action, improving stability and functionality. Additionally, incorporating a knurled nut machine screw provides precise adjustments for spring tension and the anvil-hammer contact distance.
Thus, while everyday clothespins demonstrate basic telegraph principles, utilizing a larger clothespin and adjustable components significantly enhances realism, precision, and effectiveness in the student version of a Morse code keyer