Introduction: Nerd Tags

So, I am a self proclaimed nerd. I wanted a way to show off by nerdity, but I didn't want to get one of those tee shirts that say something stupid like "Clones are people two." Being a nerd, I have lots of random motherboards and hard drives, RAM and PCI cards, and various other stuff like that lying around the house. I went down into my basement and grabbed the oldest, least useful thing I had, which I'm my case is an old dial-up card, and brainstormed on what I could do with it. I kept thinking of things, but they all sounded to girly. Then it hit me; dog tags. So here is how I did it

Step 1: Supplies

I used an old dial-up card, a free dog tag I got from Fort McCoy for the shape, but I am sure you can print a template off somewhere. If you are like me, you have a million of those little chain things lying around you house, and if not, they have them at most craft stores for very cheap. For tools you are going to need: A vice, A hacksaw, Sandpapered, A dust mask, A drill, A nice well lit area for you to work, and Wire cutters

Step 2:

Don't have a picture for this one, but take you real dog tag or template or what-not and trace it on your board in the desired position. Keep in mind, you are probably going to want to make 2, so make sure there is enough space.

Step 3:

Now you are going to want to take all the capacitors and plugs and anything that sticks out beyond a reasonable amount and cut it all off with the wire snips.

Step 4:

It should end up looking like this.

Step 5:

From now until I tell you that you can take it off, you need to wear a dust mask. The little dust particles can cause lung cancer, and I am in no way responsible for any injury gotten from this project.

Step 6:

Now you want to place your board into the vice snugly, but not so much as to crush any of the bits and bibs that make the board look cool.

Step 7:

Make sure to hold the board securely as you are cutting out the basic shape.

Step 8:

You should end up with something looking like this

Step 9:

Now keep using the hacksaw to trim down the curves until it looks something like this

Step 10:

Now start sanding down the edges into the desired shape. For this, I stapled a piece of medium grit sandpaper to my workbench. This works the best. Do not try to use a belt sander or other kind of motorized sander. It sands down fast enough anyways.

Step 11:

This is about the shape you want it to be.

Step 12:

Now drill a hole in the top for the chain to go. (I uses an 11/64" bit)

Step 13:

Don't forget to clean up the mess! (You can take off the mask now after this step)

Step 14:

String 'em up!

Step 15:

Now go ahead and walk around town proclaiming your nerdiness. Enjoy! *note-for best effect, wear with a minecraft tee shirt and large glasses. If you want an Instructable for something, put it in the comments and I'll see if I can get to it

Jewelry Contest

Participated in the
Jewelry Contest