Introduction: Flip That Floppy!
Have lots of floppy disks (or diskettes if you prefer) sitting around from the 90s? Are they filled with useless drivers for computers you long since gotten rid of?
If you answered yes to either one, then you have all the materials that you need to start making floppy [anything you want], as long as you already have a gluegun and some glue.
This Instructable is not so much a how-to guide as it is some basic ideas to show you what you can do ( and some of the basics of working with floppys of the 3.5" species)
I hope this fuels your imagination, and shows you what you can do with what seems like trash.
If you don't want to make anything out of any floppy that is special, use another - I found gems like Day of the Tenticle, Win 3.11, and MS Flightsim 5.
Step 1: Desk Organizer
These retail for quite a bit of money, but this is free!
Mine has 4 compartments, one with 2 'drawers', one for a bigger object. the other 2 are for pens/tools.
You can arrange yours anyway you want, but 2 floppys should be as deep as it goes, any deeper, and it'd be too big for your desk. These are quite free-form, like any of these projects. It all depends on what you plan on using it for.
Step 2: Pen Holder
I made this a few years ago, while in a club at school. It's simply a cube without the top. I added some decorations.
I found that keyboard keys, mouse encoder wheels, a fan, and some assorted electronica work great to decorate it.
If you would like, you can make a stand for it out of a speaker, like I did.
Step 3: Box
This box is just like the pen holder, but with a lid!
For the spring, use the floppy slider and bend it.
For the handle, use the dataholding circle inside the floppy, and bend it.
Options include: dimensions, lid type, spring type (you could make it out of the circle if you'd like(for a softer lid opening).
Step 4: Floppy Freighter
For my final project, I made a Floppy boat.
It's got a wheel house, a lower deck, and the main deck.
You could add tape to the inside to make it water tight if you plan on making it set sail. Underneath the deck, you can place a battery and other electronics if you'd like to make it remote controlled or a bot. It's definitely got the room for it, as it's about 15"x8.5"x3". You could even make the lower deck accessible by combining the lid of the box with the floor of the main deck.
Participated in the
Dead Computer Contest
16 Comments
12 years ago on Step 1
thanks they were really helpful
13 years ago on Introduction
My cd drive has no burner so i am stuck with using floppies... My main cpu has a floppy drive, but it doesnt even work.
13 years ago on Introduction
the actual floppy disks inside the case can be hooked to a motor to spin at high rpm. this can actually be converted into an extremely effective razor sharp saw for matboard or cardboard.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
hey, did you post it on how to make it, if so, please post the "key word".
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
OOOOOOOO....I wonder if this can be used to cut foamboard insulation without it spewing out all those nasty chunks of foam all over the place. I need to cut some for a solar cooker and may try this - thanks for posting!
www.theruralindependent.com/forum/index.php
13 years ago on Introduction
floppies are not useless pieces of plastic, im thirty years of age, I work with cars and when we had floppies, I had a lot of plans for a new car, then there was a black out, I "thought" I lost all the plans, turned out, I had auto save, all my documents were saved, thanks to that special floppy.
now wasn't that a nice story?
13 years ago on Introduction
Most excellent!
13 years ago on Introduction
Can you still buy floppys? I want to make some of this stuff!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
For god's sake do not buy any new floppies. You can get them for free by the thousands by posting on freecycle or kijiji or craiglist.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
I saw some in a Staples the other day. I didn't look to see the price, but I was quite surprised they still have them in retail. I'm glad you are interested, Have fun!
13 years ago on Introduction
i just use mine as coasters!
13 years ago on Step 1
I got rid of a bunch of floppies several months ago! Threw away the used ones and took the unused ones to a thrift store. If only I'd known I could make all this cool stuff with them!
This reminds me, I once went through a bunch of my old stuff and came across a REALLY old AOL floppy disk with, I think, 20 free hours of AOL service! This was before CDs came out, and they were sending these things in the mail to everyone in the known universe, or so it seemed. Pity I threw it away. I don't even know why I had hung onto it for so long.
13 years ago on Introduction
I kinda miss the days of floppy discs.
13 years ago on Introduction
Nice, reusing old stuff like that is always good to see.
13 years ago on Introduction
This should be a slide show instead. This completely lacks information on how to MAKE these items. The organizer is nice an instructable on how to make it would be helpful, but at least put up more photos. I can't see the drawers at all.
13 years ago on Introduction
interesting idea with a boat... they seem pretty airtight those little chunks of useless plastic. they make great shurikens too, no cutting required!