Introduction: Duct Tape Wallet
How to make an easy, fast, and durable (depending on the type of tape you use) duct tape wallet (yes, I know that there are other duct tape wallet designs on Instructables, but I wanted to add my design to the myriad of other duct tape wallet designs).
P.S. Here are some other duct tape wallets on this site
Step 1: Materials
You will need: tape (the tougher the tape, the tougher the wallet), scissors, a ruler, and a hobby knife.
Step 2: Begin to Make the Back and the Billfold Piece
Cut 4 pieces of 8.5 inch long tape (as shown in step 1) and put the strips together in pairs as shown below so that the strips are 8.5 inches long by 3.5 inches wide.
Step 3: Finish the Back and the Billfold Piece
Take the two pieces of 8.5 by 3.5 tape and put the two sticky sides together to make a sort of "tape fabric" as shown below. Repeat this step to make the back of the wallet. For the back of the wallet, if the tape that you are using is not very thick, you may want to make the back twice as thick as the billfold piece. Both the back and the billfold pieces are shown in the second picture on this step.
Step 4: Create the Pieces for the Card Pockets
First, cut off two pieces of 4 inch long by 2 inch wide tape. Second, cut off 2 pieces of 4 inch long by 1.5 inch wide tape.
Finally, stick the two pieces of 4 inch by 2 inch together to make tape fabric. Then do the same with the 4 inch by 1.5 inch tape.
Step 5: Make the Piece to Hold a Card So That It Is Visible When You Open the Wallet
First, make a 4 inch long by 2.5 to 3 inch piece of tape fabric.
Then, cut out a piece of the tape fabric that is a bit smaller than the card you want to put in it so that the card won't fall out. Make sure that the top of it is open so you can slide the card in and out easily. The finished product should look like the piece in the picture below.
Step 6: Make Sticky Flaps to Hold the Wallet Together
Put 1 inch wide pieces of tape on the sides and bottom edges of the back piece that you made earlier so that there is a 1.5 inch sticky flap on the sides.
Step 7: Assemble the Wallet
First, set the billfold piece on top of the back piece (the piece that you put sticky flaps on in the last step) then put the card pocket pieces on top of the billfold piece. Then, fold the sticky flaps on top of all of the pieces that you set on top of the back piece (the billfold and card pocket pieces), partially securing them onto the rest of the wallet (as shown in the second picture on this step). After that, put a 1 inch wide strip of tape down the middle of the wallet and then trim it to size (the third picture on this step shows this before trimming).
Step 8: Add the Final Touches
Using a hobby knife (be very careful not to cut yourself), cut into the flaps that you folded over and into the strip of tape that you put in the middle so that you can put cards into the pockets (otherwise there wouldn't be enough space to put the cards in).
Step 9: Finished!
You now have your very own duct tape wallet! You may want to fold it in half and set some books on top of it to crease it in the middle. Also, you will have to use it for a little while to break it in. Enjoy!
33 Comments
14 years ago on Step 1
how many strips??
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
you will need 8 strips of 8 in.
Reply 13 years ago on Step 1
7899!!!!!!!!
Reply 13 years ago on Step 1
I doubt that.
13 years ago on Introduction
great idea! maybe for the id pocket you could use some clear du(ct) tape or packing tape and make a small piece of "fabric". it might be blurry though haven't tried yet
13 years ago on Introduction
Just made mine it is awesome!
13 years ago on Step 9
This was awesome thanks for your guide.
13 years ago on Step 9
what i noticed is this is a good base for a wallet. i added a second 8.5 by 4in piece out of the 4 pieces of duct tape and taped it with the flaps completing a good sturdy money holder
14 years ago on Introduction
You could just as easily add more pockets for more cards, right?
14 years ago on Introduction
30 minutes later and it didn't turn out bad at all. Thanks
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
lol mine looks like a cow with rabies
14 years ago on Introduction
almost look like a real one from a distance
14 years ago on Introduction
this is really cool...every time i make 1 i sometimes use it or ill sell it to mi friends cuz im lyk dat! haha ya they dnt care if they dnt kno how to do it and they r happy i cn make it for them
15 years ago on Introduction
I made it and love it. For the ID window I cut out a clear binder divider in a rectangle shape.
15 years ago on Introduction
Great instructable but I have a problem. I built a Duct Tape wallet along time ago and loved it. But I had to get ride of it b/c the adhesive was coming out of all the ends of the pieces and ruined all my cards. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas to keep that from happening,sealer or maybe there is a better quality duct idk your ideas would be much appreciated.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
two words: pocket protecter
15 years ago on Introduction
this is a great fun thing to make! i made this wallet but i didnt make the left hand card bit as i felt the right hand part would suffice and im so happy with it! i told people at work a was going to make one and they told me to bring it in and they were amazed! and they want me to make them one! i didnt as making it yourself is most of the fun!
15 years ago on Introduction
Nice! Might I suggest that in the ID window use some leftover plastic like from a child's toy sealed in hard plastic?
15 years ago on Introduction
Great Instructable! really easy to follow. instead of just doubling the back pieces of tape I tripled. It makes it muck more solid and durable
15 years ago on Introduction
hey man, thanks for putting this up here. Now I won't have to worry about not having any cool stuff when I go to camp tomorrow. it ROCKS!!!