Yet Another USB Flash Drive in Leather Flavour

Yawn. I know we are all bored with this customized USB flash drive frenzy, but I can't keep myself off contributing another one.

This idea came after covering my bicycle saddle with leather. I had lots of scrap leather left-over. Since I didn't like the looks of my USB flash drive, here we go.

For this instructable you need:

- an ugly USB flash drive
- some scrap leather to cover it
- scissorts
- impact glue
- X-Acto knife
- a ruler
- a ballpoint pen

There are not many hazards/risks with this job. Watch out what you are cutting with scissors, I know one story involving scissors where a joke ended up with death. Impact adhesives are mostly solvent based, so I advise you to do this job at a well ventilated area, or you may get high (unfortunately :-). But really, don't forget that these adhesives are carcinogenic, really.

First photo below shows the looks of my flash drive after the dress-up. The second photo is the original naked flash drive (ugllyyyy).

Step 1: Measure Twice, Cut Once.

Decide on the leather pattern you want to clad your flash drive with. I decided to simply wrap it around, to give the drive a neat and warm look.

I calculated the necessary length of the strip to wrap around, and cut it using a ruler and a utility knife.

Step 2: Glue the Leather and USB Drive Edges.

Impact adhesives need to be applied on both surfaces. Use a thin nice coat of adhesive on both edges, and spread it evenly using your fingers (not so healthy maybe, but ecstatic feeling to peel it off). Let both sides to dry, for something like 10 minutes. For a better adhesion, repeat the application and wait for another 10 minutes.

Please read all the instructions and warnings on the adhesive packaging!.. They are important stuff and there are good reasons why they are there.

Step 3: Find Out That Glue Won't Hold Shiny Surfaces.

Against what is advertised on the packaging, the impact adhesive wouldn't hold the shiny steel surface of the USB flash drive. I had to scratch hatches on the surface to roughen it up. Use a sharp object, i.e. a utility knife for that.

Clean the surface with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to clean it from oil and grease. Re-apply the glue on the drive surface.

Step 4: Wrap the Leather Firmly Around the Drive.

Do this carefully, make sure it is tight and neat. Trim the edges as required, re-attach any labels you like. Even decorate it with your favorite stuff (i.e., an old apple computer logo from a discarded laptop as below).

Enjoy it!.. It looks much better now (in my opinion).

thearchitect.