Air Vent Cover With USPS Box

by rcfz

4.2K414

Intro: Air Vent Cover With USPS Box

So, you just ordered 200 boxes from USPS because they were free and you've probably used close to none. Heres a neat project I made on how to utilize the smaller boxes. Don't have any boxes? Go to USPS.com and order some, they're free.

STEP 1: Get a Box, Razor, and Packing Tape

In this picture I have two boxes because I wasn't sure how much I needed, get two in case you need another. Then get a razor and/or scissors and packing tape from officemax, walgreens or where ever.

STEP 2: Tape Up the Box

Next get the box so its fully folded up, as if you were about to ship something in it, but instead tape everything top and bottom and then the sides (See pictures for reference) This step makes it almost air-tight.

STEP 3: Grab Your Vent

Get your vent out of its hole and close it and put it on the top or bottom, doesn't matter, then outline the part where the air comes through. I would put it more to one side if the vents on a wall.

Next, cut the outline you just made with your razor and pop out the cardboard.
Keep the cardboard that you just cut out, you will need it later.

If you wish put the vent in the hole to test if it fits... Mine does, perfect fit =)

STEP 4: Put It Over Your Vent and Cut a Hole

Simply put it over your vent and check if any air comes out the top or sides, it should a little at the bottom. Now mark with the razor or a pen which way you want the air to go in the vent, I want mine to come out the side pictured so I cut a little gash in the middle of it.

Next I got my razor and just cut a hole, didn't really madder on what size, but its pretty big on mine. Once again, keep this peice.

STEP 5: Make a Ramp

The next step involves making a ramp, to help guide the air out to the hole you just made. Use the two peices that I told you to save and tape them inside any way you wish, you may look at my pictures to see how I did it.

This is also the step when I realized that I needed to charge my digital camera and it died, so I whipped out my webcam and got us 50% worse quality photos. Oh goodie.

STEP 6: Put It on Your Vent

Now it is time to put it on your vent and enjoy the air being pushed not up but in the direction you made your vent cover go in. You might want to tape more in the inside to help the air flow more better. Heres a picture of mine with a flashlight since I was using my webcam =(

This was my first instructable, any suggestions and comments would help =)

14 Comments

simharry 16 years ago

isint this a bit of a fire hazard?

georion 12 years ago

did u see the movie F 400 something degrees ???????????

rcfz 17 years ago

Are they going to raid my house because I just made a vent cover for my self?

georion 14 years ago

Possibly---if they do you'll have no one to blame,but yourself --for Advertising!!!!!

Tchnclfl 14 years ago

This would be interesting enough. Too bad what you just did is a federal crime :O. It's illegal to use the boxes for anything but shipping using the method the box states (Priority mail, International, etc.) It was well written though, and if you're not worried about the "fuzz" (you'll be fine) then it's a cool little project :P.

littlechef37 15 years ago

The US postal service don't ship to Canada do they ?

simharry 16 years ago

still...... great instructable, i like the resourseful ness of using the free things around you, of course i think that is what instructables kind of is about. GREAT INSTRUCTABLE.

sixfootgeek 17 years ago

They used to be great for UPS and FED-EX as well, just pull apart the glued edge and re glue inside out. The problem is now they stamp priority mail on the plain side as well. Still good for home use though!

karen608 17 years ago

Well I use recycled boxes - I get mail all the time! and the person with 3000 boxes ought to mail out 3000 presents to all the people here at instructables.

bookman10 17 years ago

It is actually illegal to use these boxes for anything but mail. Read the fine print at USPS website.

blog.darkforestdesign.com 17 years ago

Great instructable! I like it because it solves a common problem on the cheap using interesting materials. Looking for something to do with your boxes? How about http://www.fedexfurniture.com/ .

rcfz 17 years ago

Haha I just ordered about 50 small and 25 long ones ;) Haven't used them at all expect for now, I used to long ones to guide the air upwards when its behind a bed. I'm still brainstorming for more ideas.

Bos.jon 17 years ago

Wow I hate it when I mess up HTML like that.