Introduction: Industrial Bolt Bracelet

Like any good project, there are always (if done properly) a few left over pieces. Well, I've amassed those remnants. You just never now when they will come in handy.

Until now!

Instructables put up a challenge for Leftovers. Oh yeah! I got me some leftovers, so I HAD to accept the challenge. The quandary for me was just what to do with them. Then it occurred to me: industrial jewelry is pretty awesome! Why not try that!

So this is my 'ible demonstrating how I created an industrial looking bracelet from miscellaneous leftover parts.

Step 1: Calling All Junk!

As you can see, I have accumulated quite a bit of parts.

Since these are all random miscellaneous parts, I don't know the exact specs of them. Similar parts can be substituted with your own creativity and supply. In fact, I ENCOURAGE your creativity on this!

For this little endeavor, I selected the following:

  • 4 - small diameter flat washers
  • 10 - 1/4 inch flat spacers
  • 10 - 1 inch long machine bolts
  • 10 - nuts to fit machine bolts
  • at least 36 inches of wire

Tools

  • Pliers
  • Wire cutters

Step 2: Prep Your Bolts!

This is simple and straight forward.

Assemble the nuts to the bolts. Don't thread them all the way to the head. Just to the end of the threads, so they look like miniature barbells.

Step 3: Prep Your Wire!

For the wire, I used leftover computer power cable. I have dozens of those just collecting in a box. I cut the ends and stripped off the black insulation, leaving three brightly colored wires.

I selected the red wire, just because I thought it looked good with the steel. I know what you are thinking, "But JokerDAS, your pictures here are of the blue wire." To that I say, "True, but I neglected to take pictures of the single red strand before I began the next steps and had to improvise." But I digress.

Fold the wire in half making two strands.

Fold again to make four identical strands.

Wrap it around your wrist to make sure it fits around and leaves quite a bit of slack. The slack will be taken up by the bolt weaving and the knot.

Step 4: Thread the Wire!

  1. Open the wire back up so you are back to two identical lengths of wire.
  2. Use one of the washers and thread both ends of the wire through the same side.
  3. Move the washer all the way to the bend in the wire.
  4. Feed the wire back into the loop created at the end of the wire near the washer. Pull tight.
  5. Slide 9 spacers down the length of the wire.
  6. String another two washers on the wire.
  7. Loop the wire around the last washer and feed back through the second to last washer. This makes a loop at the end. Leave about an inch or two in the loop. This is used for the clasp.

Step 5: Just Add Nuts!

Lay the wire down flat.

At the end with the two washer loop, separate the wires into two sets. One set that is looped on the top of the end washer, and one set that loops underneath the end washer.

  1. Pull the pair of lower wires between the upper set, ultimately swapping places. (For sake of simplicity, from here on out, the pair on the top after each bolt will be referred to as upper and the lower will be called lower. This will have no relation to the origin of the pair.)
  2. Lay one of the bolts over the lower set wire.
  3. Lay the second set of wire over the bolt.
  4. Feed the loose wire ends through the first spacer.
  5. Slide the space down to the end next to the bolt. Be sure not to slide to the end eliminating the clasp.
  6. Now after the spacer, pull the pair of lower wires up and between the upper set, again, swapping places.

Repeat sub-steps 2-6 for the remainder of the wire, until all the spacers are re-threaded.

Finish with a bolt at the end before the washer.

Now you should have something that resembles a mecha-centipede!

Step 6: The End Is Near!

  1. With the remaining pair of wires, thread them down between the other set of wire.
  2. Bring them up and lace back into the loop created at the washer.
  3. Pull the wires back through the opening of the washer so the wires stick straight up like antennae.
  4. Thread the wire into the last spacer and a washer.
  5. Take the two wires and tie a knot in the end. Try to get as close to the end as you can. Pull tight with the pliers. This creates the other end of the clasp.

Step 7: Try It On!

Dry fit the knotted end with the spacer and washer back through the other end loop created.

It may be a snug loop. If it is too small of a loop to pull the spacer through, tug on all each of the bolts toward the spacer, one at a time to make the clasp loop larger.

Try it on!

Keep it for yourself or give as a gift!

There you have it! An industrial looking bracelet made from leftover parts.

Leftovers Challenge

Participated in the
Leftovers Challenge

Homemade Gifts Contest 2015

Participated in the
Homemade Gifts Contest 2015

Jewelry Contest

Participated in the
Jewelry Contest