Introduction: Vintage Eprom Memory Bracelet
E(Erasable) P(Programmable) R(Read) O(Only) M(Memory)
Ceramic Eprom memory chips are too cool to plunder for their gold substrate.
So I wrapped their little legs around aluminum tubes, lashed them together with wire and secured it all with a strong magnetic clasp.
Don't let your memory get lost, wear it on your wrist and proudly show it off to everyone!
My Etsy shop if you don't want to make it yourself:
Step 1: Tools and Supplies
Supllies/Parts
Eproms: they come in many different sizes, so you'll have to try them out to determine how many to use.
Hobby tubing: very small diameter, I used K&S 1/16" outer diameter aluminum.
Knitting needle: slightly larger diameter than the tubing.
28-30 gauge wire, just so it goes through the tubing and is easy to wrap around the IC legs.
Clasp
Tools:
Cutters
Smooth jawed pliers
File
Scale/Ruler
Step 2: Wrap Leads Around the Knitting Needle
Form the leads around the knitting needle.
If the leads are too long to wrap neatly you can bend the tips over as in the first pic before wrapping around the needle.
Repeat.
Step 3: Cut Tubing
Measure how long to cut your tubing.
Cut it.
Don't panic, just file it and the little hole will reappear.
Repeat.
Step 4: Mesh Them Together
Alternate which leg goes up (1st or 2nd) so that they can mesh together easily.
They will still not be lined up with each other on the top and bottom. (I couldn't figure a way to do that) Then gently work the knitting needle through the two sets of legs.
Remove knitting needle and insert cut and filed tubing.
Step 5: Wire Them Together
Cut length of wire.
Insert through tubing and wrap onto IC legs.
This is to prevent the tubing from trying to get away.
Step 6: Measure and Decide
Measure the length of the almost bracelet.
As you can see the Eproms and clasp I used did not give much customization potential.
9 chips = 7" wrist
10 chips = 7 3/4" wrist
11 chips would probably = 8 1/2" wrist
Step 7: Wire Clasp to Chips
Cut a length of wire, loop through clasp and secure.
Try to end the wire on top of the clasp so it doesn't poke you.
The chips won't always line up evenly, so after securing one side of the clasp bring the ends together to determine where to wire the other side.
Hook it up.
Step 8: Admire Your Handiwork
Cool, huh?!!!
Love those little windows.