Floppy Disk Bag

This is a bag I made from floppy disks. I found scads of floppy disks in a dumpster and wanted to make plate mail armor out of it (that is my next floppy project) I found out that a bag would be a great proof of concept project. Here goes...
Check out the update (2008) and my new bag: Floppy Disk Bag: Install Disk 2

Step 1: Required Bits

Drill, hand, regular or trephine
1/8" drill bit
Pliers, I used bulldog pliers
Floppy disks (CRUCIAL)
Links, bits of chain from your local bead store
Nails and a plank o' wood
A pen
Elementary math skills Eg: the ability to count
NOT PICTURED
The hardware for adding a strap
the strap

Step 2: The Matrix

This is the matrix for my bag, feel free to make your own. Also, try to get other colors and incoperate a pattern (I just love the classic beige, black, and blue.)

Step 3: Drill and Link, Horizontal Linking

The horizontal is the most easy to drill because it has premarked holes. for one all you have to do is unlock the disk. Then drill a hole in the divots already in place. Insert the links and squeeze shut

Step 4: Vertical Linking

use your judgment as to where to place the upper and lower holes, just remember that there will be a weak link because there is a weak part of the disk,

Step 5: Consider Making a Template

This will help you drill accurate holes in every disk (you shant need to drill all the holes for the disks that wont be attached on all sides keep this in mind

Step 6: The Edges

How to attatch the edges. Notice that the top holes for the disk on the left are not the same as the top holes for the disk on the right (the same is true for the bottom holes) this is because I measured and eyeballed and found out where those holes will need to be so I can fasten the peices together when I fold it up depending on how you set up the bag these could be side holes or whatever... use your best judgement.

Step 7: Begin Work in the Third Dimension

Begin folding and linking at the corners when every last link in the matrix is complete

Step 8: Almost...

Here is the bag fully formed

Step 9: Because I Had No Tiny Rubber Mac Feet...

Keys make good feet for the bag, trim out the inside and glue them on

Step 10: Attachments

these are what will hold the straps to your bag, these are held on with nuts and bolts. you can find all the strapcessories at your local camping, military surplus or other man-store

Step 11: The Other Side of the Strap

This side wil be held on by looping it through the metal dealie and securing it to itself with a metal ladder to enable adjustment of the strap

Step 12: Power to You, and Other Notes

Upon initial usage of this bag I got three offers to buy one and also realized that it needed some kind of interior reinforcement to make it able to bear weight easily. I suggest sealing the inside with duct or packing tape to keep problems from arising.Enjoy this newfound skill.

Comments

[Annix15]

You are a woman? (painted toenails)

[trrbrrr]

Bahahah, what? I hope this is because it was 11 years ago... A creative is a creative- gender won't stop them from painting anything and anywhere. I HOPE those are his toes- respect! lol

[SarahW22]

Great idea....but had to raise an eyebrow at the term "man-store"...good to see sexism is alive and kicking, always just below the surface...

[barnabyj]

You are being offended for the sake of being offended.

[trrbrrr]

I don't think a raised eyebrow necessarily means offended... I'm not offended, but I did think "yeah 'man-stores' are my favorite craft stores... but I'm a woman!". lol js

[softenersreviews]

this is really interesting!

[psicosis]

love it!

[pyromonkey]

This would be such an awesome project for Comic Con!!

[Viaticus]

Very cool use of floppies. Are those YOUR painted toenails?

[dagelias]

really cool bag! I want to make one out of old CD`s how do you think that will work? ideas on how to do it anyone??

[jwarren3]

Wow! This is really cool :D A question- where did you get your white floppy discs from?? I'm planning on making a multicoloured bag, with black and white also, but I can't find any white ones :/

[reto1]

Hi there,

I have ca. 50 new floppy disks I don't know how to get rid of. I can send them to you for free if you can cover the postage and if you are still interested of course.

[sister_sister]

yaaahhh!!!...I wish I can have a bag like that...

[shaawn]

Very nice! You can just put a sleeve into the bag, a lining of some kind. That would keep things from falling through the joins. You can use different materials for different functions, colours, textures. eg: a plastic bag insert - for sweaty sports- wear or frozen foods. Different colours - to match occasions, a padded liner for a laptop...

[imanalchemist]

take a look at the next installment of floppy disk bags, it comes canvas lined for just that reason.

[shaawn]

Where'll I find the next installment?

[imanalchemist]

https://www.instructables.com/id/Floppy-Disk-Bag-Install-Disk-2/

^there

[zack247]

i think i found a new laptop bag...
Very creative way to reuse useless floppy disks! i'll be keeping my eye out for floppy disks the next time i go out now, they definitely make better bags than coasters!

[dwendell]

A thought. The stainless steel jump rings seem like they could add up to an substantial total given the quantity you need ( four per disk). Fishing and support ing goods stores (e. g. Bass Pro Shops, Gander Mountain, Sports Authority, Dick's etc.) have small "split rings" (like those used for keys) which are used for fishing tackle.

They usually sell in paks of 5 or 10 for a little more than what one jump ring seems to cost. If true stainless steel is not available, some fishing ones are labeled as "English stainless" which is actually some kind of plating on either steel or brass, but seems to resist corrosion fairly well. It seems like these would be easy to install as compared to having to bend open and then bend closed the split rings, as long as you buy relatively thin split rings. If opening the split rings is difficult for you (as for me, having lost some feeling in my finger tips as I get old and decrepit), you will find very near the split rings in the sporting goods store a tool called a "split ring pliers" (for about $10). The pliers make opening them simple.

[pleasesmile]

a couple of quick questions!!! Where exactly did you find these "links?" ALSO, could you PLEASE put up how to put on the strap?! I'm planning on making one for Christmas, and I would love to see how you did it! Thanks!