Indestructible Binder

Intro: Indestructible Binder

All of my binders end up getting trashed sooner or later. Carrying around 2+ text books and 2+ binders every hour of the day is a great way to wear out book bags and school supplies.  Usually, my binders start tearing along the seams and I have to duct tape them back together.
I got a really nice 1.5" binder with locking rings that are very durable.  The problem was that the front and back were tearing off and the duct tape was peeling as well.

I decided to step up DIY and use metal to fix my beloved supply binder. Here is the design I came up with, I hope you enjoy!
Please rate, comment, subscribe, and vote for me in the Back to School Contest!

EDIT: Thanks, Instructables, for featuring my creation and giving me a 3 month pro membership. You guys rock!

STEP 1: Materials/Supplies

One reason why I wanted to make a metal binder is because I have too much sheet aluminum.
My teacher found out that I like to make stuff and she obtained a bunch of sheet aluminum for free.

Anyways, here is what I used. It helps to have a workplace:

Materials:
~Sheet Aluminum
~Fake Leather
~Rivets
~Bolts and Nuts
~an old binder with good, sturdy rings

Tools:
~Rivet Gun
~Tin Snips
~Drill and bits
~Permanent Marker
~Rubber mallet and center punch
~Ruler
~Dremel with metal cutting disk

STEP 2: Making the Front and Back

I measured my old binder and rounded up to the nearest half inch for the dimensions of my new binder.  My front and back panels are 10.5" x 11.5"
I cut the thick aluminum with tin snips. It was not easy, but it was way faster than using a dremel.*  When cutting, do NOT cut all the way to the tin snips tips. It will leave crimps in the aluminum that is hard to get out. As you cut, peel the metal diagonally away from you.
Once all of the sides are cut, use a RUBBER mallet to flatten out any waves in along the edge.  Use a file or sandpaper to smooth the edge. Don't want to get cut at school! Make sure to round the corners too.
Once you have done all of that... do it again for the back. This was a tedious process for me.

*If you have a band saw or scroll saw that can cut soft metal, USE IT!!

STEP 3: Making the Spine

The spine is easy. It's pretty much exactly the same as the previous step, except smaller.
(I separated the steps so they would be easier to follow)
Make sure you transfer all of your school supplies and homework to a temporary binder so that you don't mess up any important documents.
Now we're ready for de-constructing the donor binder.

STEP 4: Binder Rings

Here I just attacked the rivets holding my binder rings in place by use of my dremel.

Make sure to measure the distance from the edge of the back piece to the middle of the rivet in order to correctly place the rings onto the new binder.

My rivet hole was 3/4" away from the edge.

I measured the holes on the new aluminum panels and marked the location with a center punch. Then I drilled the holes and bolted on the rings.

STEP 5: Connecting the Spine

This part is kind of tricky... you can use any method you want to.
I originally was going to use chainmaille links, but I would have to drill a hole every 6mm for that to work... and do it four times.
Then I was going to use hinges, but I didn't have enough to cover the whole spine.
So my last idea was to use some fake leather material I made before and rivet the binder together.

I screwed up multiple times. Try to not screw up like I did.

STEP 6: Finished...?

Pretty much, this binder is done. All that is left to do is grind down the bolts sticking out the back of the binder.
A simple binder clip can be used to hold pages in place. I did this for one day at school because I didn't have time to design a pocket. It works quite well.

STEP 7: We Want Pockets!

Okay, so the clip worked... but it wasn't enjoyable. So I made a pocket design shown in the pictures.
It's just a simple trapezoid, but I would suggest putting the cloth in the bottom LEFT corner instead of putting it on the right.  Because I did that, my pages are now sticking up on the rivets.
Oh well, it doesn't affect the closing/opening/use of the binder... but if I ever make another one, I will redo that part.

STEP 8: Now Your Finished!

Booyah! Now people will be asking you to make them a metal binder too. It turns out that a lot of my friends have problems with their binders breaking.
I hope this binder holds together. So far, so good.

Thanks for viewing my Instructable! Please vote for me, I would love to have at least one graphic t-shirt in my poor wardrobe :D


P.S. I forgot to mention that one of the rivets needs to be ground down a little. Make sure it is out of the way of the middle ring.

Comments

[yohannestesfahun742]

wow nice work

[urtlesquirt]

Nothing is indestructable! (If you have access to c4)

[35Timmy]

execpt the planet earth,and whats beyond it

[TREX ZoaR0K]

the planet earth is not indestructible there are enough bombs and nukes to blow up the whole planet

[urtlesquirt]

Oh planet earth is easily destroyed. Its just a hunk of rock and molten metal.

[youngkennyblade]

XD Thats quite funny a bit of acid might to the trick too :)

[Kaiven]

At its time, the Guren MK V was, and so was the Avalon.

[urtlesquirt]

Noooo ,not unless you use alchemy on them... ;)

[youngkennyblade]

Great Idea! I never heard of people going to these extremes until I joined
like.......5 hours ago LOL

Im quite content with my binder though its the one by Case It that has 2 binders built into one. I just wish they made them more durable.

[Kaiven]

I've been using this binder for some time now. It only has a few minor tears on the fake leather, but the next binder I make will be solid metal.

[lkuziez9680]

it looks great but what will you do if it rusts

[Kaiven]

Can't rust, it's aluminum.

[lkuziez9680]

i must have misread it and mistaken it for something else

[Kaiven]

About normal, since it is aluminum. I still have it, works fine.

[David-Yezbak]

awesome i need one of these my math binder always gets trashed but curiously only my math binder oh i know boring math + doodles+no paper=broken binder thanx

[Hibatchi cow]

thanks... im gonna make this. Four binders is just too much to pay for....

[Kaiven]

Suggestion though would be to use metal hinges instead. Even though the cloth on my binder is still holding, it doesn't keep the metal panels from warping slightly.

[mich153]

we made this in school in year eight... but with proper hinge things...

[hawkeye.tech]

If you could get leather and brass materials it would look very 'Steampunk'. Another idea I had while looking was wrapping a strip of leather all around the outside edges. This would make it more hand-friendly.
It looks cool though, will probably last long past the time when you decide to make a new version.

[stuntkid223]

Great instructable. I think this is a really good idea. I too am tired of buying new binders and trying to duct tape my old binders. I might make one of these but with 1/8'' birch finishing plywood and piano hinges .