I've got a little usb drive that I keep in my wallet, just in case. It obviously didn't stand the test of time. A saturday moring, looking for something new to do, I've remembered someone getting a usb drive inside a broken usb plug. This one is my second and I tell you, the face of people seeing this is priceless! Here's how I've done it. By the way, it's my first instructable and I've got a new camera with new unknown options, so be indulgent ^_^

Step 1: Tools 'n Stuff Needed

What you'll need for the surgery:

- lonely USB cable (doesn't matter which as long as it's USB type A male)
- insert-type USB drive (other type may be too big to fit)
- cutter
- knife
- Glue
- optional: Key ring

Step 2: Surgery of Usb Thumb Drive

The casing of the USB drive started to crack at some places, so I was planing to make a case replacement anyway. It doesn't matter really how you put the circuit board out, as long as it's intact for transplant. Also, verify the length and width of the circuit board to make sure it fits inside the USB connector. I've cutted along the side of the casing to break the glue joint, then pried it off by hand. It should come off easily. Mine got a kind of shim casing to make it fit right in the USB socket, you'll need to get it off so it fit inside the USB connector.

Step 3: Strip Off the Plug

You'll need to prepare the USB Type A male plug to get the thumb drive circuit. Cut the cable at the desired length, too long make it kind of bulky; too shot make it too easy to lose. Then cut a splice on the both side of the plug or on one side, if you got enough place to work...

Step 4: Remove Useless Stuff!

Once opened, the metal shim of the connector will go off easily. I didn't need any tools for this. Measure you Usb thumb board to cut the glue blob at the right length inside the plug, preventing the thumb drive to get further in when you plug it. Yours may don't have glue at the end.

Step 5: Glue It Back Together!

Glue the thumb board inside the metal shim. Super glue isn't the best for that, but it works for now... Insert the shim inside the connector and verify that everything closes before gluing it back with super glue. Adding a blob of hot glue at the end of the connector might be a good idea as it will help holding the thumb drive in place.

Step 6: Conclusion

You might want to use a clamp to let the glue set correctly as the plastic plug might retract sightly.

I've added a keyring to the end of the cable to add to my keyset, or you can add it to a zipper, or let it hang on your car mirror. You can have many ways to show your geekiness.
It's always fun to see the reactions of people when you lend your thumb drive, I think it's priceless ^_^ Keeping the idea of the cutted usb cable would be of making a wireless mouse with the wire coming out, cutted then having the corresponding cable cutted on the computer, this would make a nice prank (note!) without thinking of the office technical support seeing this ^_^