Altoid Sound System for IPod

If you're like me and have a bulky speaker for your iPod, then you probably hate lugging it around. Here's a way to make some portable speakers with some altoids cans.

Step 1: You Will Need

You will need:
2 Altoids cans
2 speakers from Hallmark Singing Cards
pair of old earbuds
hammer and nail (I used these for the holes, but if you have a drill feel free to use it)
wire
electrical tape
razor blade
Soldering iron and solder
Spray Paint (not pictured)

Step 2: Removing the Speakers

First remove the top part of the card to reveal the speaker underneath. Use the soldering iron to remove the wire from both ends (the wire connected to the speaker is very flimsy and difficult to work with, hence the extra wire). Carefully remove the speaker from the card, you don't even need a razor blade for it. Do this for both cards.

Step 3: Altering the Earbuds

Cut off both earbuds so that you only have wire. Depending on the earbuds you can nick the rubber with your knife, then pull it off the wire quite easily. Separate the two wires inside then solder them to two pieces of separate wire. This will attach to your speaker. Do the other earbud wire the same way. After the solder cools, use electrical tape to secure the two wire ends together.

Step 4: Preparing the Cans

If you want your speakers to be decorative, I recommend spray painting them like I did, but it's completely up to you. After they have dried, use the hammer and nail (or drill) to punch holes into the cans. You need one in the side and a few in the top to let the sound through. make sure the hole is big enough for the wires to get through.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

You don't need any glue to keep the speakers inside, they will magnetically attach to the can. Put them at the top, underneath the holes you put in earlier. Pull the wire through the holes, then solder the wires to the speaker. Close the cans, the plug in your iPod and turn it on and enjoy! My earbuds were longer than I thought, so if you can, try to shorten them before you strip them, that way there is not a lot of extra wire.