Hot Glue USB Flash Drive

Take a Standard USB Flashdrive, and cover it in hot glue for a unique clear case.

Step 1 Aquire a USB Flashdrive

You need to buy a flashdrive that is not retractable. These kind have move-able parts, and just make it harder. Any kind of any capacity will work. The final size is usually very close to the original.

Comments

[acabrera7]

What about Baking paper?

[whosdadog]

No idea. Try it and find out.

[acabrera7]

ok i'll try. I was just wondering whether parchmet paper is the same as baking paper...

If parchment paper is Oven proof, such as for cooking, then baking paper will work too. as the baking has the same effect.

[acabrera7]

THIS IS PERFECT!!!!! EXACTLY what i need from those crappy cases, which they don't exactly protect them, because the hub is more exposed make it easier to bend...

AND THIS METHOD WILL STABILISE THE BENT USB PROBLEM!!!! YAY!!!

[KwartzKitten]

Thanks for the instructable! This was just what I needed to jazz up an old flash drive. I even took some wire and put a loop in the end of the glue so that I can attach it to a keychain or something so I won't loose it! Because that's a problem with me...

[BRUL]

Why not using Aluminum Foil or Wax Paper?

[dexdude97]

Hey! If you wanted, you could paint it what ever color you want!

[son of s8an]

Because the glue will stick to it

[KwartzKitten]

You may need several layers for a cheap craft glue, though. Know this from experience.

[dexdude97]

You could also just use scissors to shape it the way you want.

[BRUL]

I have exactly the same usb flash drive :)
I'm not sure I'll give it a try, it's kind of undoable XD

[billneu]

i textured mine with the parchment paper

[imkwl12345]

ah yes i see...... no look i really dont.

[turbotonic27]

cool

[fireruler12]

how would you make a cap for it?

[whosdadog]

Why do you need a cap? If you must have one, I think shapelock (low melting temp plastic) would work great. I never cap my drives. They just don't seem to need it. Anytime they get dirty, i just blow on them, or compressed air if they really need it.

[misteravocado5]

Is there any chance of this shorting anything out?

[whosdadog]

Last I checked hot glue isn't/hasn't/wont be electrically conductive for any reason.

[misteravocado5]

Haha I know, I was worried that it might melt something important.

[whosdadog]

Well most solder melts at over 800 degrees I believe, and solder that was applied at the factory usually has an even higher melting point than the stuff you can buy at a store. I think hot glue is somewhere around 300 or 400 degrees.

[misteravocado5]

Cool. Thanks.

[stephenniall]

Good instructable one problem i have spottted is on some flash drives the LED (Light Emitting Diode) Gets very hot and melts the glue

[knektek]

thats probably because the led is shorted out

[stephenniall]

its a posibility but i doubt it I used the led from a old torch i had So it was a ultra or super bright and got a bit warm .!

I scrapped the hot glue idea and i use epoxy now its alot stronger its water proof etc

[santy22]

Yeah... probably was a 3 volt torch aganist the 5 volts the usb gives it, needs a resistor.

[Padlock]

LEDs don't get that hot (Infact they barely get warm.)... Unless there like the super bright 1W+ ones...

[junits15]

they can get very hot if they are overpowered

[whosdadog]

That is strange. I suppose they don't really have heat sinks, so it could be a possibility.

[BraisedDuck]

the hot glue will affect the circuit board. and even if it doesn't, the heat given off by the circuit board will cause d glue 2 melt. other then that, cool

[whosdadog]

First, the hot glue is not hot enough to do anything to the circuit board. Second, the heat given off by the components is negligible, and will have no effect on the glue. I have been using one of my drives that is covered in glue for over two years, and it shows no signs of slowing.

[blizatrex]

this is great i have an old ugly flash drive sitting that this will give it a better look;)

[Trainguyxx]

wow that amazng! i didnt even know you can do that! i thought it would metl or something similar to that

[nosebleedXD]

how come your glue is so clear

[whosdadog]

Because it is standard Clear Hot Glue.

[boyrock375]

once my hot glue molding instructable gets posted check it out with this one then you can make usb drives with custom made shapes

[Padlock]

I would be careful before doing this to your new 16 gb drive, as heat can sometimes damage IC's. As well as static electricity.

[lowercase]

LOL Funny! a very minimalistic tribute to our best friend: The Hot Glue!

[Doctor What]

This is amazing! I wonder, could I add color somehow? Green goo usb flash drive?

[whosdadog]

Possibly. I have tried food coloring, but it does not mix with the glue. It acts like water and oil. I suppose a type of paint might work, but it would be hard to melt the glue, then color it, and then cover the flashdrive. Maybe you could melt the glue in a pot and then dip the flashdrive in it multiple times.

[explosivemaker]

....I forgot which instructable it was in, but in the project they used colored glue sticks......I thought that was pretty neat as I haven't seen them anywhere......they must add the color when they are melting the stuff down and cooking it.....