Introduction: Easy DIY Tinfoil Pressure Plate! (Like in Minecraft)

With some foil and a few other supplies, you can make a functional pressure plate that beeps when stepped on.

Supplies

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Step 1: Cut the Box

First, cut off the front and back of your cereal box. Throw the rest away and get the hot glue gun heating.

Step 2: Cut the Foil and Fabric

Use the cereal box pieces to trace and cut the fabric and foil to the same size. Make sure that your fabric is larger than the foil. Set the cloth aside.

Step 3: Glue the Foil

Use the hot glue gun to tack two corners of the foil to the cereal box, then put three more dots in the middle and other two corners of the cardboard and apply pressure. Repeat this step on the other board.

Step 4: Cut and Glue the Cloth

Fold the cloth in half long ways and cut three 1.5-2" diameter holes. Glue the cloth on to one foil board the same way you did with the foil on the cardboard. Glue around the edges of all your holes.

Step 5: Add Paper Springs

Cut a few (5-7) 5" strips of cardstock and glue them in loops. Glue a loop in each hole and a few loops to the fabric. These will work as the springs that keep the plates apart unless stepped on. Let the glue cool before proceeding to the next step.

Step 6: Glue Plates Together

Glue ONLY the corners of the prepared cardboard pieces together.

Step 7: The Wiring

OK. Now it's time for the wiring. First, attach the alligator clips to the foil boards. Connect one clip to a buzzer wire and the other clip to the battery wire. Then twist the remaining battery and buzzer wires together.

Step 8: Taping and Touch-Ups

First, take off the alligator clips from the foil boards. Use your electrical tape and tape the twisted wires and alligator clips to keep from short circuiting. Now it's time to cut off the extra cloth and foil on the edges. Tape the edges of the pressure plate except for a small section where the clips will go. Clip the alligator clips back in place. Now, get your toilet paper roll and put all of the wires inside of it. Finally, duct tape the ends of the roll so everything stays inside.

Step 9: Set Your Trap

Now that you are done, slide your tinfoil pressure plate under a mat in a doorway to alert you to any intruders.

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