LEGO USB

Hello everybody! I am Density and I am 14 years old. I am a big fan of instructables and wanted to contribute to the constantly growing community of "instructers". For my first instructable, I decided to build a cool and creative shell or cover for a USB stick out of Lego. It is easy and fun to build. You must use your imagination and you dont have to do it exactly like mine. There are many different ways of making this type of USB stick. I am just supplying you with an option and a guidline. Before starting to make the lego USB read through the instructions so you know what to expect. If you read the instructions first, it will become clearer for you and provide you with a beter understanding. I made all the pictures, steps and animations. Enjoy.

Step 1: WHAT YOU WILL NEED

THESE ARE THE PARTS OR "BUILDING BLOCKS" YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE THE LEGO USB STICK:

YOU CAN CHOOSE THE COLOUR OF THE LEGO PIECES. I SUGGEST THAT IF YOUR USB STICK HAS A LIGHT ON THE SIDE, IT WILL BE BETTER TO USE LIGHTLY COLOURED LEGO PIECES (LIKE RED).

- X2 FLAT 4 BY 8 (4X8) LEGO PIECES
- X4 BIRCK 1 BY 4 (1X4) LEGO PIECES
- X1 BRICK 1 BY 2 (1X2) TRANSPARENT LEGO PIECES : IF YOU DONT HAVE A LIGHT AT THE BACK ,YOU CAN USE A NON-TRANSPARENT LEGO BLOCK.
- X1 USB STICK

THESE ARE THE TOOLS YOU WILL NEED TO BUILD THE LEGO USB STICK:

- SOLDERING IRON
- FILER OR SANDPAPER
- MARKER PEN
- RULER
- SILICON GUN OR GLUE GUN

Step 2: EXTRACTING THE USB STICK

CAREFULLY OPEN THE USB COVER. SOME USB'S NEED TO BE UNSCREWED AND OTHERS JUST NEED TO BE SEPERATED. TAKE THE USB OUT OF THE COVER. TAKE THE USB WITHOUT THE COVER AND MEASURE THE LENGTH OF THE USB FROM CORNER TO CORNER.

Step 3: MEASURING

TAKE 2 OF THE 1X4 BRICKS AND PLACE IT ON ONE SIDE OF THE FLAT 4X8 PIECE. MEASURE 3mm FROM ONE SIDE OF ONE OF THE BRICKS. ALINE THE USB CORNER TO THE 3mm POINT AND MAKE A MARK WHERE THE USB ENDS (IMAGE 3). MARK 2 mm FROM THE TOP OF THE 1X4 BRICK. MARK 4mm FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE 1X4 BRICK. REPEAT THESE MEASURMENTS TO THE OTHER 2 BRICKS.

Step 4: CUTTING

USING THE SOLDERING IRON, FIRST GENTLY CUT ALONG THE MARKS YOU MADE FROM THE MEASURMENTS (CUT ALONG THE LINE MADE FROM THE LENGTH OF THE USB). THEN GO OVER WHERE YOU CUT AGAIN UNTIL IT IS ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH THE LEGO PIECE. I SUGGEST YOU OBSERVE THE SHAPE OF THE USB STICK AND TRY AND DIG THOSE GROOVES INTO THE LEGO PIECE USING THE SOLDERING IRON (PICTURE 5).

Step 5: FILING

THE SOLDERING WILL LEAVE IT MESSY AND HARD TO WORK WITH. IT WONT GIVE YOU SPACE TO PUT THE USB STICK IN. SO, USING THE FILER OR SANDPAPER, START RUBBING OVER THE PLASTIC THAT IS STICKING OUT UNTIL IT IS SMOOTH AND COMPATIBLE. MAKE SURE THERE IS NO PLASTIC STICKING OUT. AT THE END IT SHOULD LOOK SOMETHING LIKE IMAGE 3. DONT FORGET TO REPEAT THIS TO THE REST OF THE 1X4 BLOCKS.

Step 6: PUTTING IT TOGETHER (i)

PLACE THE TRANSPARENT 2X1 BRICK AT THE BACK. LIKE I SAID EARLIER, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LIGHT ON YOUR USB, YOU CAN USE A NON-TRANSPARENT 2X1 BRICK (IMAGE 2). THEN USING THE GLUE GUN, STICK THE 1X4'S FROM THE ONE SIDE ON THE FLAT 4X8 PIECE. I SUGGEST THAT YOU PUT THE USB FACING UP SO WHEN YOU PLUG IT IN THE COMPUTER IT WILL FACE UP. THEN PUT SOME HOT GLUE IN THE SPACE WHERE THE USB STICK MUST GO IN. THEN PLACE THE USB STICK IN AND HOLD IT THERE UNTIL IT DRIES AND HARDENS.

Step 7: PUTTING IT TOGETHER (ii)

ONCE THE GLUR DRIES AND THE USB IS STABLE, PUT GLUE ON THE OTHER TWO 1X4'S AND PLACE THEM AROUND THE USB STICK. MAKE SURE THE 1X4 BRICKS ARE IN PLACE AND THERE IS NO PRESSURE ON THE USB STICK BECAUSE THEN IT COULD BREAK. IMAGE 3 SHOWS SOME PLACES YOU CAN PUT HOT GLUE. THEN PUT HOT GLUE UNDER THE SECOND FLAT 4X8 PIECE. THEN PLACE THE SECOND FLAT 4X8 PIECE ON TOP OF THE 1X4 PIECES. HOLD THE ENTIRE CASE TOGETHER UNTIL IT IS SOLID.

Step 8: FINAL PRODUCT

ONCE THE GLUE IS DRY, YOU CAN CLEAN THE COVER WITH A LIGHTLY MOIST CLOTH. REMOVE THE GLUE THAT IS STICKING OUT. ONCE THAT IS DONE, YOU ACTUALLY HAVE A FINISHED LEGO USB STICK.

Step 9: DON'T STOP THERE!!!

I ONLY SHOWED YOU HOW TO MAKE A PLATFORM FOR YOUR IMAGINATION TO TAKE OVER. BE CREATIVE AND DECIDE AND DESIGN HOW YOUR USB STICK CAN LOOK.  THIS LEGO USB OPENS UNLIMITED IDEAS. I HOPE THIS TUTORIAL HELPED YOU AND WAS ENJOYABLE, EASY AND FUN. PLEASE COMMENT AND GIVE ME YOUR ADVICE AND WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT MY INSTRUCTABLE. LOOK OUT FOR MY NEXT INSTRUCTABLES. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME OUT TO CHECK MY FIRST BUT NOT LAST INSTRUCTABLE...
PLEASE CHECK OUT MY NEW INSTRUCTABLE: https://www.instructables.com/id/2010-POWERPOINT-PROJECTS-FACES/

Comments

[darlingtom]

I have gone through 2 USB security keys as they attach to my keychain but the cases don't last. I've looked for a shell, but for some reason never thought of Legos (even though my house is littered with them). For the security key, I need to have access to a button on the end, but that's doable. Plus, a ring to attach it to the keychain. But a) the Legos are much tougher than what the fob is made of now and b) I really like how you put the figures on them.

Well documented. I'm a teacher and I might have my own students (middle school) post their own. Great job.

[sean whyburn]

Yo Density You RULE THANX

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Awesome! So cool and so well documented :)

[The Steph Show]

Nice work! Looks very professional! :)

[antonali]

Great job Density! Keep going! Can't wait to see your next instructable.

[amandaghassaei]

awesome project! You should post it here:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Rewards-for-New-Authors/

[Density]

thanks for the website and thank you for checking it out.

[nadiamarinofff]

well done density. it is a good start. it was helpfull and it was clear... i an looking forward to your next instructables

[Domoreto]

Good Job Denislav.
Nicely put & detailed instructable with nice and clear images.
Good Effort.
Keep them coming.