This money clip is small and can be put in your front pocket making it harder to pickpocket and also making it sleeker. This is a fast and simple project that can be done quickly with just a wood scrap you have laying around. As you can see in the picture I put some cards and cash in the clip and you can't tell that it's in my pocket.

Tools List

Vise grip
Bandsaw (Can be done with a hacksaw)
Sandpaper
Belt sander (Optional but makes life easier)
Pencil
Ruler
At least 10 minutes (5 if you're quick!)

Step 1: Get a Scrap Piece of Wood

Every person who has ever worked with wood will have scraps that they are saving for that perfect project. Well, this could be your saving grace for all of those scraps! I used a piece of wood that was about 2" long about 6/10" wide and 6/10" tall. The end result is a little smaller because the final step is sanding it down. This doesn't have to be perfect it might even be better if it was 2.5" long.

Step 2: Draw Out and Measure Your Scrap of Wood

Once you have your piece of wood then you find the center line and measure down the center of it so that one side is not thinner than the other. I drew my line about 2/10" away from the end so that it won't break as easily. In my prototype, after using my card holder and testing it by taking cards and cash in and out I noticed that the back end was flexing and eventually broke in half. I fixed it with some wood glue but next time I would make it 4/10" in so that there is more contact.

Step 3: Cut Out the Center Slit

The easiest way to do this is with a bandsaw but can be done with a hacksaw just as well. Take your time well doing this because this determines if your Clip can hold 1 bill just as easily as 3 cards. Start by just a straight slit down the center noting to stop where you marked your block. It should be an even blade width all the way down. This next part be VERY careful well doing. You'll notice that as my slit goes down the block that about halfway down it gets slowly wider. This is so that you can fit more Cards in it.

Step 4: Widening the Lip

This part is the hardest step out of the whole Instructable. This is best done with a bandsaw but again can be done with a hacksaw. You want to be sure that your lips are the same width on each side so both sides are equally as strong. Go very slowly on a bandsaw and be very conscious that you're making it as straight as possible. Any small bumps can be fixed in the final step.

Step 5: Sanding the Inside

This is the most delicate part of the whole project because your whole clip can snap in half here. You're going to want to do this with a vice. When you put it in the vice make sure that you don't have it so that the vice is pushing the clip closed. Grab a piece of fine sandpaper and stock in between the slit. Slowly move in back in forth well not applying a lot of pressure as to not break it. If you break it it's not the end of the world but well it's in two pieces run those on the belt sander. Then you can glue them back together and hopefully, it holds up.

Step 6: Sanding the Outside

Sanding the outside is best done with a belt sander. I found that the sleekest way is to sand the outside like in the pictures I showed. You can sand it any way you want but keep in mind the structural integrity of the clip. You don't want to make it too thin or to rough otherwise It will stab you in your pocket.

Step 7: Adding Your Own Finishing Touches

Make this clip your own. Add your initials or a cool design. I left mine blank in the photos so you can get an idea of how much space you have to put stuff. This project is really quick and easy and can be done in just about ten minutes.

Introduction: Wooden Money Clip