Make Fridge Magnets From Bottle Tops

Make your own fridge magnets, using stuff you probably already have at home.

OK, first of all, a short disclaimer: I am currently one handed after I tried to fight a car using a motorbike. The car beat me because it was made of metal and glass. You'll be pleased to know that my hand is expected to make a full recovery, but I hope this goes some way towards explaining the sometimes dodgy photos (and the fundamental simplicity of the Instructable).

SAFETY NOTES: This Instructable involves the use of super glue and a craft knife, so if you are a mere youngling, you should get an adult involved.

Now, to set the scene: I'm in the house, bored, wishing I had the use of both hands, etc. My girlfriend has gone out and I'm supposed to be looking for a job. So, logically, I decide to make some fridge magnets...

A quick raid of the recycling pile left me in possession of about 10 plastic bottle tops. I picked the ones with designs and logos, but you could go with plain. After raiding the recycling I was hungry for more tops, so I went out on the hunt. I got some strange looks at the local 7-11 after pulling out almost every drink to look at the lids. I then proceded to buy drinks based solely on the cap designs. I live in Thailand, but I can't read Thai yet, so I mostly had no idea what I was buying... This led to an interesting tasting session!

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Step 1: What You Will Need:

A selection of bottle tops from plastic drinks bottles. Clean them!
Magnets, around 25mm x 3mm in size.
A craft knife.
A cutting mat.
Super glue.
Balsa wood stick or other light material to use as a filler between the cap and magnet.
A pencil.

Balsa wood or foam should be available from your local craft or model shop.
Magnets can sometimes be tricky to find in real shops - I bought mine from a hardware shop here in Thailand, but you may have to turn to virtual shops:

The other stuff should be easy.

bumpus says: Aug 2, 2008. 12:21 PM

Excellent! I wish the US had bottle caps like those, They are much cooler! :D

kitobor (author) in reply to bumpusAug 2, 2008. 1:31 PM

What's funny is that Thai people like English - they think it's cooler! The grass is always greener on the other side... Anyway, we could start an international bottle top exchange, you send me some US ones, I'll send you some Thai/Japanese ones...

bumpus in reply to kitoborAug 2, 2008. 4:54 PM

Haha, thats interesting, ours just have some informational crap on them.. Perhaps :D

ReCreate in reply to bumpusJul 9, 2009. 6:15 PM

Yeah, Disclaimers...

Shane1163 says: Mar 1, 2009. 9:43 AM

oh wow.. those are neat bottle caps! here in the US they make them plain and boring! wtf is up with that..

cowscankill says: Nov 25, 2008. 1:07 PM

Tip: If you use neodynium magnets, I suggest a stronger epoxy type glue like JB weld. Much stronger glue. I found super glue tends to wear off and lose its grip.

completegeek says: Aug 30, 2008. 7:19 AM

If its worth doing, it's worth over doing. I would use those rare earth magnets and make them super strong. http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/science/770f/
one tiny magnet can hold up to a pound!

kitobor (author) in reply to completegeekAug 30, 2008. 7:52 AM

I agree with you completely - on the last page of Make #8 there is an inspirational piece by Blake Hannaford about a clock he built in 1975. He finishes with "...put your heart into it. Design it to last. Build it well. You'll be glad you did." I always read it before I make anything.

On the other hand, those magnets scare the bejesus out of me... I quite like the data I have on my hard disks...

Skellington says: Aug 21, 2008. 9:54 PM

Ooh, I will definitely try this with my many coke caps. By the way, those red caps say "happy". :]