How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard

  • April 28, 2009
  • 47,227 Views
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Don’t throw away that old keyboard! You can make a sweet wallet with the circuit sheets inside! Inspired by an Instructables.com project: http://www.instructables.com/id/Wallet-made-from-a-computer-keyboard/

You Will Need

  • A desktop computer keyboard, preferably a PC
  • A screwdriver
  • A ruler or tape measure
  • Scissors
  • An Allen wrench
  • A razor blade
How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Disassemble the keyboard

Step 1: Disassemble the keyboard

Flip the keyboard over, and unscrew the screws holding it together. Remove the top of the keyboard from the bottom.

PC keyboards work best, since you can open most of them with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Macs generally require a tiny Allen wrench that can be hard to find.

How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Remove the circuit board

Step 2: Remove the circuit board

Unscrew the circuit board, and remove it. Peel off the sheet of rubber key springs.

If the rubber key springs are attached individually to the circuit sheets, remove each one carefully with a razor blade.

How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Remove the circuit sheets

Step 3: Remove the circuit sheets

Carefully remove the circuit sheets, and gently pull them apart. You’ll usually find two circuit sheets, and they may be glued together at a few small points.

How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Cut out six pieces

Step 4: Cut out six pieces

Using a pen, ruler, and scissors, measure, mark and cut out four pieces of the circuit sheets that are 3-by-4 inches each. Make sure that no circuit sheet holes run along the edge of any rectangles. Then, cut out two more pieces, this time making them 3-by-3 inches each.

How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Cut out a 6-inch piece of tape

Step 5: Cut out a 6-inch piece of tape

Cut a 6-inch piece of tape and lay it out vertically, sticky side up.

How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Stick pieces to tape

Step 6: Stick pieces to tape

Place the 3-inch edge of one of the larger circuit sheets horizontally onto the tape, 4 inches from the top of the tape. Then place the edge of a second 3-by-4-inch circuit sheet onto the tape next to the first, leaving a one-eighth inch gap between the two sheets.

How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Fold the tape over

Step 7: Fold the tape over

The sides of the circuit sheet that you want on the outside of the wallet should be the sides stuck against the tape. Fold the two ends of the tape toward each other and press down.

How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Repeat

Step 8: Repeat

Repeat with another piece of tape and the other two 3-by-4-inch circuit sheets. You have now assembled the two pieces of the wallet that will hold bills.

How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Tape 4-inch ends together

Step 9: Tape 4-inch ends together

Stack these pieces on top of each other, with the insides of the wallet facing each other. Cut two 3-inch pieces of tape. Place a piece of tape along the edge of each 3-inch end and fold it over. Trim off any excess. You’ve now sealed shut the wallet’s flaps.

If the adhesive side of the tape is exposed through holes in the circuit sheets, cut pieces of tape the same size, and stick them to the exposed tape inside the wallet.

How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Seal the bottom

Step 10: Seal the bottom

Seal the bottom by folding the wallet, and sticking a 9-inch piece of tape along the bottom edge. Make sure the tape does not stick to itself. Open the wallet, and fold the piece of tape up to seal the bottom. Trim off any excess tape at the ends.

How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Attach the card holders

Step 11: Attach the card holders

Place the 3-by-3 inch circuit sheets on the inside the wallet, flush with the bottom left and right corners, and tape them in place along the outside edges with a 4-inch piece of tape. Fold the tape over to seal, and trim the excess.

How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Add four pieces of tape

Step 12: Add four pieces of tape

Add four pieces of tape for the top and bottom edges of the card slots. Only the inside edges should remain open.

How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Cut the corners at an angle

Step 13: Cut the corners at an angle

Cut the top two pieces of tape at an angle to keep the corners from becoming bulky. Then, fold the tape over into the cash slot of the wallet. On the bottom, cut both pieces of tape at an angle to keep the edge of the tape away from the wallet corner, where it will be prone to peeling. Fold the rest of the tape over to finish securing the card slots.

How To Make a Wallet From a Computer Keyboard: Add your items

Step 14: Add your items

Add your items to the wallet, and you’re done!

The history of the keyboard dates back to the first typewriter, which New York-based Remington Co. mass-marketed in 1877 to compensate for the drop in gun sales after the Civil War.

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Comments (12)

Harizu13

Wowow I'm gunnu do this

over 2 years ago by Harizu13

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NBL18

This is awesome! I just need an old keyboard ....

over 2 years ago by NBL18

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deckard1

I actually made a wallet from an 1877 Remington typewriter. Was a little on the heavy side though what with the cast iron and all. This looks like a much better way.

over 2 years ago by deckard1

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Jhacob

I made the same mistake...

over 2 years ago by Jhacob

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Adrian93

luv this wallet! i want one :D just have to find an old keyboard :P

over 2 years ago by Adrian93

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dogtide

great video. really clearly illustrated.well done.

over 2 years ago by dogtide

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HeatherMenicucci

Cool idea and very fun video. Could be my new, new favorite Instructables + Howcast vid.

over 2 years ago by HeatherMenicucci

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Dynamic

Nicely done!

over 2 years ago by Dynamic

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noneother

Great idea!!! I'm gonna make this for my dorky cousin.

over 2 years ago by noneother

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mygode

great

over 2 years ago by mygode

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mygode

great

over 2 years ago by mygode

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raven714

thats ballin, i created an account just to comment that this video is straight ballin

about 1 year ago by raven714

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