Introduction: Save Your Headphones!!!
Every day I carry something in my pocket that is in desperate need of improvement, I believe I have found that improvement and hope that it will benefit others.
How many headphones have you broken by snagging the wire and something and ripping it out of the speaker or ear bud? Personally my count lyes at somewhere around five. I was tired of this happening so I came up with a quick easy fix that anyone can do and save yourself money.
So if you have a trusty pair of ear buds of headphones you carry with you do this to them, you will be glad you did.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
All you need are a pair of headphones or ear buds a small piece of shrink tubing and a safety pin.
You also need some source of heat to shrink the shrink tubing.
Step 2: Assemble
Now you just need to thread the tube onto the wire and put the pin under it. I suggest puting the pin about 1-1.5 feet from the speaker or ear buds. After you have positioned it where you want it just heat up and shrink the tube.
Step 3: Use Your New Improvement
Just clip the pin onto your shirt with a little but of slack in the wire. Now if you catch the cord on anything it will just tug on your shirt, instead of breaking your precious headphones. Also if they fall off or out they will not hit the ground.
I hope that this will help people out. Don't forget to vote for me in the pocket sized contest.

Participated in the
Pocket-Sized
18 Comments
10 years ago on Introduction
why dont u just tuck it under your shirt ????
11 years ago on Step 3
Thats really cool! I'll have to try that!
12 years ago on Introduction
The headphones that I recently bought came with a little elastic thing at the top of them so that this wouldn't happen... See Pic: (sorry about the bad quality...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I have seen those. But what my mod does, is to also prevent them from being pulled off your head.
12 years ago on Introduction
i've found that if you use a larger safety pin it works better. Sure, it looks a little funny at first, but you can: wrap the cord around it, pin it through thicker materials (coats, etc.), and it can even be clipped to some things which smaller clips can't (can't think of any now -_-)
12 years ago on Introduction
nice i do somthing similar but the wire is in my shirt
12 years ago on Introduction
Cute idea, I might use it for my beater headphones that I use when biking. On another note- am I the only person who gets irritated by instructable titles including references to the contest they are entered in? In my opinion, doing this leaves Instructables.com a cluttered bin of previous contests, rather than a timeless guide.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
i have to agree with your note on the contests - in the future, when these contests are long forgotten, people will have no idea what these references are talking about.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Sorry about the reference. It is just that in the past people always neglect to rate or vote for my instructables even if they leave positive comments. As soon as the contest is over I plan to edit the title appropriately.
12 years ago on Introduction
For those who don't like to make holes in their clothes, how about substituting an alligator clip for the safety pin?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Karel makes a good point you could use an alligator clip. Personally I like to use a safety pin because the wire lays flat against you clothes.
12 years ago on Introduction
Where does someone find this shrink tubing you speak of?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
you can find shrink tubing or "heat shrink" at radio shack or automotive store usualy carry some.
12 years ago on Introduction
Clever idea - i hate it when ur walking and the cable tugs - specially with in ear headphones.
12 years ago on Introduction
Awesome job! And to reply to comments, just hit the orange REPLY button.
12 years ago on Introduction
I finally found earbuds to fit my tiny ears and now will use this instructable to make sure I don't lose them.
12 years ago on Introduction
Glad you like it! Don't forget to vote!
12 years ago on Introduction
Sweet! When I cut grass it gets tangled when I'm bagging it, but this being the perfect solution, is a must try!