Maker Tin

Unfortunately we can't always be at our workbench or desk with all our tools at the ready, sometimes we just have to go out and explore the world...

But fear not ! For I have come up with the perfect solution to this troublesome dilemma, thanks to this instructable you can now carry all your favorite maker tools everywhere you go without wearing a cumbersome tool belt !

Housed in the iconic Altoids Tin is an array of useful tools that will enable you to go about your everyday routine with the comforting knowledge that you can open, hack, modify or customize anything you want.

Thank you all for voting !!

Currently the tools in the tin include :

• Mini Craft Knife
• Superglue
• Pencil
• Notepad
• Matches and striker
• Sewing Kit
• Metal File
• Button Cell battery
• Red,Yellow,Green,Blue LED's
• Resistors
• Wire
• Shrink Tubing
• 2x Crocodile clips
• Sandpaper
• Duct Tape
• Electrical Tape
• Mini Scissors
• Magnet (Gmjhowe)
• Screw/Nail holder
• Saw (Tobz1122)
• 2x Zip ties (Yokozuna)
• Candle (Kiteman)

That my friends is a lot of tools !

If you have any suggestions for more tools check out this forum topic where you could win a patch for helping !

In the instructable i will show you how to make all the individual components and then at the end we will compile them and put them all in the tin.

Step 1: Mini Craft Knife

Ah the trusty craft knife, a staple tool in any makers toolkit and so obviously it had to go in the tin.

I contemplated making one on my school lathe but then I considered the time, effort and skill involved and decided to just cut one in half instead..
Anyway not everyone has a lathe so this way is better !

1 - Take the blade out so you dont stab yourself
2 - Measure your tin's width (Altoids are 9cm wide)
3 - Mark that width on your knife (including blade)
4 - Clamp the knife securely
5 - Using a hacksaw cut along the line
6 - Use sandpaper to round the sharp edges off
7 - Put in tin !

Note -
Dont try to use a wood saw... they break
If you are photographing the process, watch where you put your camera so you don't smack it with the saw when cutting...

Step 2: Super Glue

For this step I tried putting the glue in the small container but it went everywhere, got on my clothes and then dried up in the container.

So for this step you need a half (or nearly) empty tube of glue.

1 - Use a glue stick or other small cylinder to push the glue towards the nozzle end
2 - Cut the tube in half (don't cut right next to where the glue is or it will come out)
3 - Using tweezers and pliers pinch and roll the end of the tube up
4 - Put in tin !

Note -
This can get messy so DONT wear your favorite t-shirt
Be careful where you cut because there could be a glue explosion..

Step 3: Electronics Kit

Many many makers are interested in electronics so i decided to make a small electronic section.

I used an old camera memory card box to keep the electronics separate from the rest of the tools

In the box
1 3v Button cell
1 Red LED
1 Yellow LED
1 Green LED
1 SuperBright Blue LED
5 Resistors

All these components easily fit inside the memory card box and there is plenty of space for more

Step 4: Wire + Clips

The wire and Crocodile Clips can be used in conjunction with the electronics kit in step 3 or on its own to solve an array of simple electronic projects.

The crocodile clips don't need steps, just pick up and put in the tin !

The wire is simple also -
1 - Cut a decent sized length of wire
2 - Coil it up
3 - Use an elastic band to hold in place
4 - Put in tin

Note -
Using an elastic band is better than just wrapping the wire around its self as it means your kit also has some elastic !

Step 5: Metal File

Files are always useful and although the kit also has sandpaper sometimes that just dosent cut it.

Unlike the craft knife i couldn't just cut a file in half because they are huge, heavy and i only have one :)

So i found a small file on the back of some nail clippers i got in a Christmas cracker, and used a pair of pliers to snap it off.

Step 6: Hacksaw

This Addition was suggested by Tobz1122 !

The saw i used was a blade from a jigsaw drill. They are really small blades which have small teeeth which is perfect for small jobs.

If you have a selection of small blades, choose the one with the smallest teeth as it will be the easiest to use.

Then just get some tape (i used electrical) and cover up about an inch on one end.

Then put it in the tin !

Step 7: Sewing kit

Another thing many makers like is sewing crafts.
Along with being creative, having a sewing kit handy can be very useful, remember that time you ripped a huge hole in your trousers crotch area playing football ? we've all been there ! If only you had this sewing kit with you !

For this step you will need:
- A small square of card or foam
- A selection of different coloured threads
- Two needles

Steps
1 - Cut a small notch in the top of your cardboard
2 - Put one end of the thread in the notch
3 - Wrap the thread around the cardboard
4 - Tuck the other end in the notch
5 - Repeat steps 1>4 for each different thread
6 - Push the needles into the edge of the cardboard (pointy bit first!)

Step 8: Mini Scissors

These mini scissors can be used with the sewing kit in the previous step or for anything else that needs cutting :)

I got these mini scissors from a small fist-aid kit, you can buy them in shops too, they sell them to cut babies nails.

Note -
If you take anything from a first aid kit you must allways replace it
Your local chemists or drug store will probably have the mini scissors

Step 9: Matches + Striker

Fire is always useful... and cool.

The altoids tin can easily take a normal sized match, but if you have the extra-long versions just trim them down with some scissors or a knife.

I have six matches in a bundle, and have secured them together with an elastic band.

Steps for the match striker:
1 - Take the match tray out
2 - Cut a 5cm long section out
3 - Glue to the lid of your tin
4 - Test :)

Note -
Fire can kill - BE CAREFUL
If you are young then get your parents to help you out

Step 10: Candle Wax

This idea was suggested by Kiteman for "sealing small holes, lubricating screws, waterproofing stuff"

I used a small tea-light, but any plain white candle will do, simply remove the wick and cut a chunk off.

My tea-light was really flaky so i built a little pot and melted it with a lighter, then when it was cooling I shaped it into a little square, heating and cooling the wax stopped it flaking everywhere.

Step 11: Heat-shrink Tubing

In case you didn't know what it was ; its used in electronics, you put two wires inside the tube and then use a flame to heat the tube which shrinks and holds the wires in place.

Its very useful when fixing broken connections in gadgets or appliances.

Steps -
1 - Cut out a section of the tubing
2 - Fold it up
3 - Bind it together with and elastic band

Step 12: Note Pad

Every maker needs to write down their project ideas/world domination plans so i decided to include a handy notepad in the lid of the tin.

Steps -
1 - Tear about four pages off a note pad
2 - At the top where the pages are still joined cut out a 7x5cm square
3 - Trim down so it will fit nicely in the tin
4 - Glue the bottom sheet to the tin lid

Step 13: Mini Pencil

Now we have our notepad we need something to write with.

Obviously we cant fit a whole pencil in the tin so we will cut it in half !!

Steps -
1 - First we need to measure out the tin
2 - Mark where we want to cut
3 - Cut/Shop/Smash along the line
4 - Sharpen the pencil !

Step 14: Electrical Tape + Duct Tape

Makers love tape, it's just so useful !

It took me ages to think of a way to put tape in the tin, i though of sticking it to plastic sheets, wrapping around the tin and many other useless ideas.

Admitting defeat I looked over at the roll of tape, and then an idea hit me, Stick the tape to the tape !!
For some magical reason tape doesn't stick well to tape, so I decided to harness this incredible phenomenon and use it in my tin.

By wrapping the tape around the mini pencil only a very small section of the tape looses its stickiness as the rest is stuck to other tape and retains all its stickiness !

Steps -
1 - For the electrical tape you can just wrap it around the pencil
2 - When you have enough on the pencil, cut the tape
3 - Attach a small paper tab to the end of the tape for easy use
4 - For the duct tape you may need to cut a bit off the side so it isn't so wide
5 - Wrap the tape around the pencil and attach another paper tab.

Step 15: Magnetized !

Not content with it always being in your pocket ?
Simply add a magnet to the bottom of the tin. you can now put your maker tin wherever you want.

You can now use the bottom of the tin to hold screws you are using in your project or to pick up ones you lost in the carpet !!

I tried to make my dog carry the tin but she just rolled her eyes and went back to sleep. Silly dog.

Addition suggested by Gmjhowe !

Step 16: Finished !

There you go that's the end of the instructable !

You now have complete maker freedom !!

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Other Suggestions from the community;

• USB key with downloaded instructables or computer diagnostics programs
• Screwdriver (Need bigger tin)
• Mini Stapler
• Bit driver
• Survival Saw
• Pliers
• Lighter
• Plasters/Band-aids
• Tooth Pick's
• Money
• String
• Solder
• Buttons
• Safety pins
• Much, much more Here

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If you have any suggestions for more tools check out this forum topic where you could win a patch for helping !

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More awesome projects to come, so subscribe !!!

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Comments

[Bitoworld]

I think I'm going to spray the inside of the lid with spray paint chalkboard and include a nub of chalk. I also found this measuring stickers. http://www.amazon.com/theCardstick-Cardstick-ruler-stickers/dp/B0057RMAPO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=GTJB26O8WO3T&coliid=I2P7T0KA4BJQRR
Which might be useful stuck onto the thread card. Also maybe one of those flat magnifying lenses. And here is a tutorial to make your tin into a little red toolbox, double decker too. http://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/surprise-dad-with-the-smallest-toolbox-ever/

[adroach]

How about adding some screws and a mini screwdriver???

[adroach]

You can also waterproof the matches by dipping them in the melted wax, cool tip I got from my grandpa!

[Jessie Marie]

What a neat idea!

[cdousley]

you could use a credit card and put he needles under the thread its thinner

[=SMART=]

Good idea

[ilpug]

Plus, credit cards are useful as all hell: glue spreaders, for flattening decals into place, picking simple locks.

[cdousley]

Thank you good sir.

[Frederbee]

Try sacking a few Christmas crackers, I often get a set of three mini screwdrivers, or a magnifying glass, or tiny pliers. The sets they sell at grocery stores usually have the same generic fillings

[RaNDoMLeiGH]

re: thread colors in sewing kit. Black, white, grey, light rose, light yellow, and medium brown will blend into nearly every other color, so if you are wondering which ones to use, try those.

[jacobbrunberg]

what about blue

[jacobbrunberg]

light blue

[RaNDoMLeiGH]

use the grey thread

[BLUEBLOBS2]

Where did you get those mini scissors? I need some for my first aid kit.
-BLUEBLOBS2

[kicksledkid]

ive tried do mike one of these before but could never think of what to put in... i only got as far as...
-full roll of electrical tape
-50 cents(just in case the cells dead:))
-band aids (just in case)

i bike a lot so would like to see one for biking!

[Pamasta]

this might be dumb but i put in a chunk of not-yet-heated hot glue so you can melt it and use it as an adhesive

[jwoo2023]

actually that might be a good idea

[tim127]

i dont know if this would work but maby you could sharpen the other side of the saw and use it as a knife, but you would need a cover of some sort or you would probably cut yourself.

[Callum Snowden]

For the saw blade, you could add a small sugru handle to it to make it easier to use :)

[lol link]

i bet you could if you wanted to

[JKPieGuy]

Pretty neat concept you have there!

[heathbar64]

Great Idea!
I like to make stuff from paper and like cerial box cardboard etc. I was thinking maybe a longer flatish case like a pencil case. I would include scissors, razor blade, bit of string bit of tape, 6" ruler or maybe one of those baby tape measures, glue paper fastener brads, rubber bands, and maybe paper clips. and of course small notebook and pencil.
I would think of it as my sanity survival kit.

[shereewithakey]

the first thing i thought when i saw this was 'zombie survival kit' haha.
i'm gonna make one as more of a survival kit type thing for camping rather than something i have with me all the time or whatever.

i was gonna add to mine a small solar panel i have from a garden light. it's connected to a LED and a rechargeable battery so i thought that would be a nice addition because there are lots of things you could use a solar panel for. like here where they make a solar powered phone for emergencies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o4_ps0epWs&feature=channel_video_title

i'm also going to add some small zip lock type bags (baggies) so that i can keep things watertight like the matches and batteries etc. because they are easy to come by and flexible. thanks for the great idea/inspiration :)

[yousouf]

why dont you steal one from the hotel its much easier

[Gigaburger]

You could also use an old swiss army knife that has a metal file and metal knife all in one, I've got an old one i never use i will be doing this.

[spange]

I suggest pulling the blade of the knife out and inserting it in to the handle backwards. An easy way to protect your hand and the blade when not in use.

[sw1mfa5t]

I added rubber bands

[t3hkender]

I was inspired, so I made my own. It's gotten a little out of hand, but here's what I've included so far: My Maker Tin My version of the Maker Tin currently includes:

My Maker Tin

My version of the Maker Tin currently includes:

(1) 5cm*8cm piece of double-sided mounting adhesive (this is thin, not the foam mounting squares)

(1) 4cm*8cm piece of sandpaper (I think this is a pretty heavy grit, but I don't know for sure)

(1) 2cm*8cm strip of adhesive-backed velcro (both sides)

(1) Mat cutter blade (like a safety razor but without the grip and slightly larger)

(1) Safety razor
A note on blades: The original Maker Tin included a trimmed-down hobby knife. While I do like hobby knives, one would take up a significant amount of space compared to a couple of flat blades. I vastly prefer mat cutter blades over razor blades, as they are a little larger and have a slimmer profile because of the lack of a "handle" portion. I work in a framing shop and use mat cutter blades for a number of things at work to the point where having one on me at all times is a necessity for various things, and I carry one in my pocket all the time in a little sheath I made from paper and tape. I chose to include a safety razor as well, because it's nice to have that little handle in the event you need to cut with a bit more force. Because they're so flat, these two blades take up virtually no space. I carry mat cutter blades in various places on my person: I have one taped to the inside of the battery case on my phone, I have one in my wallet (still in the paper wrapper), I have one inside my iPod (hey, the case came open when I dropped it, so before taping it up, I slipped one in. Why not?) And I even have one taped onto the slot-2 cover on my DS Lite.

(4) 2.5cm strips of 3M foam mounting tape (these are on a piece of perforated paper from the label printer at work, the labels removed, of course, and a piece can simply be torn from the others on the dotted line)

(1) 2cm*3cm chunk of UHU putty

(1) Mechanical pencil. This was a cheap mechanical pencil, the kind that come in bags of 20 or so. I removed the cap and cartridge, cut the cartridge and the outer portion of the pencil down to Altoids-tin size, and replaced the cap. Now I have a mechancial pencil that fits in an Altoids tin. You have to break about 1cm off of the lead to fit it into the cartridge now, however. I made this one with a knife and sandpaper, but I've done it before with a dremel (a much faster and cleaner process). While a bit more involved of a creation process, this pencil has the added benefit of never needing to be sharpened, which could be an issue with a wooden pencil (or at least an inconvenience). It's not much (if any) larger, and has a clip as well. The clip does take up some additional space, though, so I might cut and file it off later.

(1) Length of electrical tape, probably a few feet, wound around the pencil.

(1) Similar length of duct tape, about 3cm wide (I had to remove about 2cm to fit it on the pencil).

(1) Split key ring. Not sure why, but you never know.

(6) Zip ties, about 9cm long. These were standard, good-quality 6in zip ties. I simply trimmed them down to Altoids tin size. In case there were ever a reason for color-coding some zip-tied thing, three are white and three are black.

(1) Pair of folding scissors. The pair I got are a little stiff, but work fine.

(4) Pieces of wire, roughly 10cm each. Red, black, green and yellow. These were taken out of a length of USB cable leftover from a previous project.

(5) Wire twist-ties. One holds the wires from the previous entry together, and four are tucked under the notepad in the lid.

(3) 3V lithium button cells. I put a piece of plain clear Scotch tape over each battery to prevent accidental discharge.

Okay, this might be a bit overkill. I went to Radio Shack, selected a few nice LEDs, then got home and found some replacement Christmas lights and pulled the LEDs out of them. They're a bit smaller, and one has a resistor attached to it, for some reason I'm not certain of. I decided to just include all seven LEDs in the kit, since they really don't take up much space. If I need space in the future, I will probably drop it down to one of each.

(1) Red LED

(2) Bright white LEDs

(3) Christmas light LEDs, and

(1) Christmas light LED with a resistor attached.

(1) Sewing and repairs kit. This is all inside or wound around a small 2cm*4.5cm piece of mat board (used in framing). It contains:
*A length of sewing thread, probably a few feet.
*A similar length of thin nylon line (fishing line)
*A similar length of thin nylon-coated steel cable (Beadalon brand beading wire)
*About 1 foot of plastic-coated frame hanging wire (Basically a thin plastic-coated cable)
*(2) Small safety pins
*(5) 1cm sewing pins
*(4) 3cm satin pins
*(2) 3cm "T" pins
*(1) 4cm "T" pin
*(2) Sewing needles, 1 small, 1 medium-sized
*(1) Needle threader. I don't really need this, as I'm pretty adept at threading needles, but hey, it's tiny, slips under the various wraps of materials on the matboard, and ultimately takes up no more space than the kit would without it. In the event I'm in a hurry or decide to let someone else use the kit, it could come in handy.

(2) Small buttons, one a pearlized white, 1 black.

(1) Lump of candle wax, about 1cm*1cm*1cm.

(1) Large paper clip

(1) Small flat-head screwdriver

(4) Small flat-head screws. These came with a different screwdriver as part of an eyeglass repair kit, and each screw is slightly different. They're kept together by a piece of Scotch tape folded over them.

(1) Small Phillips screwdriver. This came in a "Tech Deck" finger skateboard set I received as a gift as a kid. I never used the skateboard, but this screwdriver is amazingly small at around 3cm.

(2) Adhesive-backed foam pads. These came with the aforementioned eyeglass repair kit, and could be used for their intended purpose, but could also be used to replace a foam pad from the bottom of something, or any number of other uses I haven't devised yet. They're pretty small, so they merit inclusion.

(1) Seam ripper. For those that don't know, this is a small device with a pointed end that leads to a C-shaped blade. It's used in sewing to, as the name implies, cut the thread holding together a seam to allow for clean separation (instead of cutting the fabric). This was a cheap one from Wal-Mart, and as such was perfect for this kit--the ripper slipped right out of its handle with minimal coaxing from a pair of pliers. Without the handle and cap, it's extremely slim and compact. It's about 5cm long and maybe a millimeter thick altogether, and the shaft is long enough to serve as an adequate handle for light duty.

(2) Alligator clips, one red and one black. This was a staple of the original Maker Tin, and I included it in mine.

(10) Sticky notes. These serve as a small notepad that is adhered to the inside of the lid by the same mounting paper as mentioned at the very beginning. I decided not to rely on the sticky notes' own stickiness, as it's really not very strong and not suitable (or intended) for supporting a stack of notes. I had to trim a bit from the bottom of these for them to fit.

(2) Small (about 2cm) nails. Not super useful by themselves, but heavy objects aren't too hard to come by.

(2) Small (about 2cm) wood screws. Too large for the small Phillips screwdriver in the kit to be much help, at least these I can screw into something with my Leatherman.

(5) Matches and (1) striker. Unlike the original instructible, I elected not to mount the striker, instead bundling it with the matches. The matches each have a bit of clear Scotch tape over the head to prevent accidental lighting.

(1) Piece of folded aluminum foil, about 2cm*10cm. I don't know what I'd use this for, but it might be useful. It takes up almost zero space, so why not?

(1) Small punch tool.  It came as part of the same set as the flat-head screwdriver.  Could be useful for punching a hole.

Yet to include:
Super glue. I want to include one of the mini, 1-use tubes, but can't bring myself to blow six bucks on a four-pack. Maybe later.

I've included a picture of my version of the pencil, in case anyone is curious.

[chicken12175]

i have those scissors, am yet to make one of these tins but i am sure they will go in when i do =]

[Legoman200119]

The LED with the resistor attached probably blinks because the lights with resistors on my tree blink.

[Win Guy]

I took mine from the same kit that I used to make the cardboard-sewing set - It works great!

[average joe 1999]

i have a mini digital camera in mine...

[metaphronesis]

Brilliant!!

[pbman123]

great instructable this is the thing that got me to be a maker
just having the ability to do it anywhere at any time was enough to get me started

[Algag]

another suggestion: Seasonings you can take a straw use a lighter to "half-melt" one end and you can squeeze it (be careful) shut and it seals then fill with the seasoning and repeat on the other side, you could cut the straw to fit into the container

[Algag]

suggestion: mini pencil sharpener.....this reminds me of the spongebob episode :P

[ninja_maker]

you can also ad a rubber band or two..... also when you melt them onto something they will make a pretty good adhesive. And if you want you can take some cloth dip it in alum (which Fire proofs things) mixed with water it can be used as a mini fire blanket. Plus you can dip the matches in candle wax to make them water proof, because no one likes wet matches.

[Etch3]

Now thats what you call a tool belt! Instead of striking the match on the matchstriker thing you could use the sand paper.

[Brian857]

You would have to use strike anywhere matches though.

[Brian857]

You could replace several of these things with a Leatherman Micra-style multitool.
I used a Coast Micro-Fishtool, which includes a knife, scissors, a few screwdrivers, needlenose pliers, wirecutters, a tiny saw, and an awl. The best part is it is hardly bigger than the X-Acto knife.