Folding Key Chain

I was browsing around on instructable's and came across reconscious Friendly Folding Keychain http://www.instructables.com/id/Friendly-Folding-Keychain/ and liked what he had done and wanted to make my own version with the keys I had but slightly modified it so I could use it with my carabiner that I have to keep them on a belt loop.

Step 1 The Keys Housing and other Materials

Some of the Instructable's I had seen were using a bike tool for the keys.  I was able to find a cheaper version at harbor freight for around $5 that was for hex keys.  it was easy to dissemble and had plenty of spare parts to use as well.  You will need some additional pieces of hardware to:

• Washers (some that will fit around the shaft of the housing)
• rubber grommets (same inside diameter as the washers above)

We will cut the grommets in half and use them as a buffering and tension pad against the housing when we are putting it together

Comments

[bartolo]

Very nice project, I made one too!

[synicasm]

Hey What is that Cylindrical Shaped thing on the key chain ?

[medionlvr]

that's a pill bottle. you can find them at walmart

[Johenix]

Or at Walgreens. Probably at any chain Pharmacy. I use one to hold minature strike anywhere matches.

[bennettcrew]

If someone has a better pill bottle... PLEASE LET ME KNOW! I have to carry certain ones on my person, at all times, and I hate these plastic types. I had one for a couple of years, but now all I can find is these chrome plated ones! Bah humbug!!
I did see a thing where someone used a pop bottle neck (with lid), dropped in a US nickel, and hot glued the insides... it wouldn't be quite big enough, I don't think... and I don't think the police would believe that I carry that everyday for actual medications. You have to maintain a look of seriousness about pills, around here!

I'm thrilled with this key instructable! My VW key isn't really a key, it's a square block that pokes in the hole... so it won't go on mine... but I'm going to attempt a couple of screwdrivers, and maybe a blade or scissors. It'll be a multi-tool, somehow! Thanks for the many great ideas!

[Ballesss]

Es buenísimo, yo hice el mío y es lo más cómodo que hay.
La herramienta la compré en El Corte Inglés.

[aklesh3]

Do you really need the spacers?

[elco_chan]

I used the spacers because the screws I used were at a certain length and I wanted more friction on the keys to keep them from folding out when I did not need them.

[mariodab]

I followed this instructable and made one of these with the same tool you used but the screws seem to work their way apart. Did you have this same issue? I know I could use locktite to keep them from separating, but then I would have to start from scratch if I had to change my keys out at some point. Any suggestions? Great ible by the way.

[elco_chan]

I have never really had a issue with then comming loose. instead of using locktite you might be able to try using some pipe tape on the threading to see if it will keep it together.

[fsped09]

This was an easy and fun project to do. I used some of the rubber rings, that were used as spacers to identify the keys I need to get into my apartment. I filed slightly on the top and bottom of the keys to hold the ring in place. Thanks!

[elco_chan]

Awesome Job!!!

[chaitanyak]

wow nice!

[verdastel]

cool!

[fraclet]

Very good idea. See my steampunk Folding key Chain :)

[verdastel]

hey fraclet that's a cool stuff you made there, what if you make instructable on that?

[chaitanyak]

yes! i like that clip-on thing.. need to find one myself now..

[chaitanyak]

thanks for the great DIY, i didn't have one of these multi tools to work with, so just built it from scratch at a friend's workshop :) made it with some aluminum.. learnt how to tap threads for the center hollow rods.. so the screws can fit..
overall turned out to be a fun project

[verdastel]

nice and neat job!

[elco_chan]

That looks awesome!!!  What are the other keys for the look almost like a newer version of skeleton keys?

[chaitanyak]

Thanks!
He he those are just old style padlocks that i still use for my garage doors and a grsliding grill. I guess they look pretty vintage.. But their quite common here

[pakalolo666]

I'm a Building Tech (custodian) @ a Highschool in CO. I absolutly hate hearing my keys jingle while walking around. I love this "destructable"!!! Went to Harbor Freight this morning. Absolutly had to make one of these! Tweeked it a little bit to hold the amount of key I carry. Thank you!!!

[elco_chan]

Would love to see a picture of it. Post pics when you are done. : )

[elco_chan]

If you needed room to fit more keys on it, I know Lowes does sell the internal hex bolts (the bigger bolts and shafts you remove to take everything apart) in different lengths that will work for this project as well if you needed to hold more keys. They are located in their specialty parts drawers in in the nuts and bolts isle.

[graywoulf]

Looks like a grand idea but how do you then know which key fits what? I can only ID my keys for the most part by the tops of them. Of course I can easily tell a car key from a house key but if you have a lot of different house keys and they all for the most part look alike, well I think you see where I am going with this. However, I still think this is a grand idea!

[DavidKaine]

I would probably be able to remember which key is in which position, or your could take a permanent marker or paint and color the underside of the keys, though that would wear off. I've been wanting to make one of these for years, but I hesitate to because it looks like the handle gives a lot more leverage to the key, and I'm concerned I might break a key off in the lock, or wear it out too fast.

I wonder if the author has had any problems along this line.

[elco_chan]

As for the worry of keys breaking I have found that the rubber grommets I added on actually keep me from applying to much pressure when turning it so it has a little give to it and does not apply as much torque when turning. Other then that I have not had any issues with it.

[smcgrath]

To get around this problem, you might consider coloring the "heads" of the keys, BOTH SIDES of course, with a bright/bold permanent marker and then apply 3-4 THIN COATS of nail polish. Thin will work best because it will be less likely to chip off over time. And with as little as you would need, you might want to invest in one of the better brands thru a beauty supply house like Sally, as they too will tend to last longer. Now if you want to go all out, or are a female, just do the same to each key but using different colors of nail polish. Doing both sides of the key and the "head" only, makes it so much simpler to find whatever key you are searching for no matter what side you look at it from. I would still recommend covering the colors of polish with a few thin clear coats to enhance durability. Be sure to make certain the coats are completely dry before applying the next one or it may end up too thick/gummy, therefore more easily worn away.

[ianswope]

Great idea, a real space saver.

Just a word of caution. some new car keys have an RFID tag in the key head. cutting off the head of one of these keys could be a costly mistake.

[elco_chan]

My wife's car keys has a RFID tag in it, the one I made a copy of is just a door key so I can unlock her car if she ever locks them inside. It won't start the car sadly enough.

[rbbiggs]

Good point. My wife's 2011 Honda Pilot that has a normal looking key, but has the RFID tag in the rubberized head. The dealer warned us it was over $200.00 to replace.

[Dizzy49]

Very true. I would not use it for car keys. I think most mid-price cars from 2009+ have chips in them now. The key for my car (2006) has it in the 'neck' of the key, right below the head. However, my wife's car (2007) has it in the head of the key so you can't see it. Makes more sense for obvious security reasons.

[KGood]

Any problem with using the car key due to the extra weight or reduced flexibility (as opposed to having nothing attached to the key ring except for another key or something)?

[elco_chan]

Believe it or not having the folding hex key is lighter then the key ring originally was

[Maeven]

So are the phillips/flat head screw driver addition an instructable or store bought? I could use something like that. Nice instuctable.

[elco_chan]

I bought it from a store, I think it was autozone if I remember correctly. Ran about $8

[newroger]

que otima ideia adorei !!!!
hy lake!

[rtnatividad]

I'd do like in the final picture with the carabiner but even then I wouldn't hang it all from a belt loop. Included with all of my mini club cards is a mini Visa Check Card which is almost twice the size of the mini club cards and has all of the basic debit card data on it (name, card number, 3-digit security number) and I'm sure you've heard of those devices that can steal all the information off a card like that with one swipe.

[justin.jackson]

cant beat harbor freight

[mdavies7]

This is really clever, I have a few of these hex tools from cycling, think i just found a new project