Transparent document folders

I noticed that my fiancé uses transparent envelope-like document folders frequently.  (Both as a teacher at school and for personal use.)  They seem to be slightly larger than a letter size sheet of paper and have a fold-over portion that fastens with a plastic snap.  I have no idea what they are really called - I even flipped through an office supply catalog looking for a name.

I decided to use the circuit sheets from discarded computer keyboards (the same material from my wallet Instructable) to make some unique envelopes for her.

Step 1 Materials and tools

This is a quick and fairly easy project that doesn't require specialized tools or skills. 

• At least 2 keyboards
• clear packing tape
• Ruler or square
• Scissors or a blade and cutting board
• hook and loop adhesive pads

I prefer using a straight edge and hobby knife but this could be done using a fine-tipped marker and scissors. 

For the keyboards I tried to use out dated ones with a DIN connector or the more recent and not quite obsolete PS/2 connector.  USB keyboards would also work but it is easier to find them a good home. Definitely stay away from the "split" keyboards because they don't have enough material without interruptions to work very well for this project.

I found a stack at the thrift store for $1 each and went home with a few organ-donor keyboards.

Comments

[craftyv]

I made a circuitry document holder and it is great but my plastics are all different colours. My next will be better and I shall definately give the best one to my Grandson for christmas, I know he will love it. Thanks Very Much.

[zieak]

Excellent! Post pictures if you'd like.

[craftyv]

Thank's for your encouragement. I know it's pathetic but I have absolutely no idea how to "post a picture" nor many other tasks on computer. I have seen your web-site and it's obvious that you are a very handy-man so perhaps you don't realise that for many people the language that computer/techi types use is completely obscure. For example what are "cookies" or a "PDF file" I told you, pathetic. When you have nobody to ask these questions directly, it's quite baffling. But I will get there, where? Fernandose Hideaway, Ole.

Thanks again.

[zieak]

Well, that is a dark secluded place. A place, where no one knows your face.

A glass of wine?

[craftyv]

Perhaps I should invite Hernando after all it's his hideaway. Glad you got the reference.

[craftyv]

Wow! We are having whats called a hard rubbish collection. Ie. the council allows us to put stuff out once a year which they take away, otherwise we have to pay for rubbish removal. Found two keyboards to dismantle \. Great I'm on my way.

[craftyv]

Love this and the wallets too. To me they are exactly what instructables is all about. As with other members I havn't found enough key-boards for free or very cheap as yet but am still looking. Can't wait. Great work.

[zieak]

Thank you!

[ladydesiree]

hello there! I have 2 laptop keyboards laying around, I'm gonna give this a try. Thanks for the great idea!

[kittywitty]

Love this idea.

[y2kkmac]

This is absolutely wonderful! It made my day.

Thanks for sharing!

-y2kkmac

[stevebuck]

You seem to have a limitless supply of dead keyboards, Zieak! Perhaps we need an instructable on how to acquire so many dead keyboards from limited resources. Unbelievably keyboards are the smallest number of dead electronics that I have.

[zieak]

You know... I think only one of the keyboards i have used was mine.  The rest i bought at the thrift store or were given to me. 

[stevebuck]

Good call, I don't know why I didn't think of that. I guess I just assume that people have them lying around based on how many hdd, cdrom drive, etc that I have lying around.

[laxap]

Nice. You have my vote.

[sunshiine]

I am going to try this!  Nice!

[Iridium7]

 man I wish I had another keyboard! Good ible!

btw FIRSTIES!!!