Introduction: Champagne USB Key
This instructable will show you how to re-use an old cork and a USB to create an awesome looking flash drive.
I have entered this in the Green science fair contest because it is re-using two old objects to make a modern chic piece of hardware.
2nd Instructable
DONT FORGET TO VOTE!!
Step 1: You Will Need...
For this Instructable you need:
A Cork - one made of real cork not plastic, i chose a champagne cork as it was
the largest one and able to hold my USB
A USB - doesn't matter what capacity, try to get the smallest one size wise as it
needs to fit in the cork.
A Knife - Anything sharp with a smallish blade will do nicely, i have chosen an
Exacto knife.
Tape - I have used white electrical tape.
Step 2: Stripping the USB
Now you need to strip away any excess plastic to make the USB as small a possible to fit inside your cork.
Most USB casing is in two halves which clip together around the USB
all you need to do is find a seam along one side and pry it open withe either your fingers or your sharp blade, the two halves should pop right off.
Now with the bare USB you need to size it up with your cork to make sure it is wide and deep enough.
Step 3: Cutting the Hole...
Before you start cutting it is a good idea to draw a line around the bottom of the usb on the cork, this is so you have a general idea of how thick and how wide to make the hole (look at pics)
Now begin the cutting, cork is actually allot tougher than it looks so i recommend carving out a small groove on the top inside the line you drew and then just shredding at the cork and emptying out the shavings every so often ( very careful with your fingers here , high risk of severing)
Also be careful not to cut the sides too much otherwise it will all fall apart.
when cutting every so often shove the usb in the hole to see if you've cut enough out.
Step 4: Fitting the USB
Before i put the USB into the cork i wrapped it in electrical tape just to stop the cork shavings getting inside it. Don't put too much tape on or the USB will get bigger and you'll have to cut a larger hole.
When i had put my USB in the hole there was a small gap around the top edge of the hole so i used an elastic band to fill it in.
Step 5: Finished!!
This is the end of the instructable, thanks for reading and i hope you enjoyed it!
if you have any questions please ask me and ill be happy to answer
dont forget to rate and vote!
good luck if you do make this and let me know how it goes!
More Instructables coming soon !!
p.s. This is my 2nd instructable :D
PLEASE COMMENT AND VOTE!!
Participated in the
The Instructables Book Contest
Participated in the
Discover Green Science Fair for a Better Planet
41 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
You don't experience any heating problems? Cool. Imma give this a try, then!
10 years ago on Step 3
Make the cork easier to cut by pouring boiling water over it before starting your project.
13 years ago on Introduction
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
i want that
11 years ago on Introduction
Don't think this is "cool", as the USB will get hot and no no space to dissipate the heat !!!! lol.....
13 years ago on Introduction
you could pop the cork into a bottle and hide the drive.
14 years ago on Introduction
I understand that the reason wine bottles are now corked with that plastic stuff is because real cork has been violently over-harvested over the years and the quality has deteriorated quite a bit. That's why if you don't have a good bottle opener, the cork might break and fall into the bottle. Kind of sad.
14 years ago on Introduction
put a weight in the bottom of the cork so the top usb floats in water then it wont get wet
14 years ago on Introduction
kind of looks like ur computer is drinking KIND OF
15 years ago on Step 5
This is a great design because it covers 2 other usb slots besides the one it's using.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
umm ... thats a firewire port and a usb... but its still cool !
Reply 15 years ago on Step 5
Hell yea !
15 years ago on Introduction
i had this idea! i guess i waited too long. (curse me and my lack of corked bottle beverages drinking)
15 years ago on Introduction
Awesome! I think I will do this but with a fairly large cork so I can have a cap to it as well. - Ken
15 years ago on Introduction
I've never heard of this before. It's really neat. I'm glad I've got many many usb drives to do this too-there are so many instructables! This is one of the best though!!
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Thanks !!
15 years ago on Introduction
go alcohol
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
lol
15 years ago on Introduction
Unique idea! I might do this... I'm looking for a cool mod for my thumb drive that's lost its shell. 3.5/5 Stars!
15 years ago on Introduction
Once I get my hands on a champagne cork big enough, I'm gonna make this. What about a cork lid as well? :D