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Clear USB Drive

by rjones3 on March 17, 2006 Table of Contents Clear USB Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intro: Clear USB Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 1: The Specimen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 2: Open Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 3: Molding Rig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 4: Resin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 5: Pour the Resin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 6: Done! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 7: Lanyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 8: Admire your work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 6

http://www.instructables.com/id/Clear-USB-Drive/

Author:rjones3
Check out my website! www.tcnj.edu/~jones37

Intro: Clear USB Drive

After the my cover broke off my Cruzer 512 MB USB drive, I decided to fashion my own case. I saw several ideas floating around on the internet such as cases made of Lego, pez dispensers, and and even a Barbie doll. I cast the USB stick in clear casting resin used to make paperweights out of scorpions or flowers. I picked it up at my local Hobby Store for about $15. It comes it two parts: the resin and the catalyst. If you're making a cast, test it out on some scrap bits and pieces to make sure your ratios are correct. Check out http://www.tcnj.edu/~jones37/usb.html

Image Notes 1. Mottled Plastic

Step 1: The Specimen

Very Stylish Duct tape case

http://www.instructables.com/id/Clear-USB-Drive/

Step 2: Open Case

Crck open / otherwise dismantle the case

Step 3: Molding Rig

This is a molding rig created with scrap pine wood and clamps. The pine was covered with clear packaging tape to prevent the resin from sticking to the wood.

Step 4: Resin
I obtained resin from my local hobby shop.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Clear-USB-Drive/

Step 5: Pour the Resin

The long part. The casting was done is several parts. Everything was done in about two days time.

Image Notes 1. Dry fit

Step 6: Done!
USB Stick in see-through glory.

Step 7: Lanyard
I drilled a small hole to fit the rope back on so I could still hang it on the lanyard that I got with it. A small bit of J-B Weld attached the rope back to the clip.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Clear-USB-Drive/

Image Notes 1. J-B Weld

Step 8: Admire your work

This picture was taken after about a month of use. I don't think I got the ratio of catalyst to resin quite right. This caused the top surface to become mottled. Otherwise, there have been no problems as a result of the casting. Check out http://www.tcnj.edu/~jones37/ for my other projects!

Image Notes 1. Mottled Plastic

Related Instructables

Clear USB flash USB casting in drive (Photos) by transparent resin by SWV1787 protoman

Cosmic Light With LEDs Embedded in Resin by technoplastique

How to make a Green Lantern ring- including a glowing version! by Honus

Glow Bone! LED Night Safety Dog Collar Doohickey by momo!

Guitar Hero Hacks: Key Molding by bofthem

http://www.instructables.com/id/Clear-USB-Drive/

Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 66 comments

tvane1225 says:
how long did it take for your resin to harden in such a big block?

Jan 14, 2011. 1:36 PM REPLY

amakerguy says:
Thats really cool. I have a 4GB cruzer. But I do not want to take it apart yet i just got it for christmas today.

Dec 25, 2008. 6:12 PM REPLY

Rimwulf says:

Feb 14, 2009. 7:51 PM REPLY I just now did this with my 2 GB cruzer but I used epoxy in the the double syringe that you have to mix from the auto shop. It cured fully in an hour but with a yellow tint in some parts but t still kinda like it, but I was a bit too hasty so its not as smooth as I'd like and it has a bunch of tiny bubbles making the entire thing glow like kryptonite it looks kool though. I will try again with another one of my flashies with the stuff this guy used.

Kryptonite says:
Did you say my name? XD

Mar 25, 2010. 2:50 AM REPLY

Kryptonite says:
Awesome, thanks! I plan to use this, but with something underneath the clear resin to make the circuitry covered.

Mar 25, 2010. 2:50 AM REPLY

Gage987 says:
sweet

Oct 28, 2009. 9:10 PM REPLY

slayer_x911 says:
can i use clear epoxy??

Jun 16, 2008. 9:50 AM REPLY

Rimwulf says:
I did and it kinda pice of ice

Feb 14, 2009. 7:53 PM REPLY

aforsberg says:
Any comments on my idea??? ......Anyone??? awww.....

Nov 13, 2006. 6:31 PM REPLY

tinkerC says:
What was your idea?

Feb 6, 2009. 5:03 AM REPLY

munchman says:
this instructable back up????

Dec 12, 2007. 4:16 AM REPLY

conman says:
I want to make a mold of my thumb to make a "real" thumbdrive. This is a really cool project.

Dec 20, 2006. 8:18 AM REPLY

absolute zero says:

i know tht this post is 2 years old but, thts already been done on this site....

Jul 27, 2008. 9:41 AM REPLY

temp says:
how is conman's post 2 years old?!?! It doesn't make sense.

Nov 23, 2008. 2:52 PM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/Clear-USB-Drive/

conman says:
Maybe you would be happier if I wrote "FIRST!" instead?

Nov 25, 2008. 4:48 AM REPLY

rjones3 says:
Easy now.

Nov 25, 2008. 6:44 AM REPLY

conman says:
It was just a "jk lol"

Nov 25, 2008. 7:05 AM REPLY

Derin says:
lol,good idea

Jul 19, 2008. 3:59 AM REPLY

Derin says:
you used a sandisk non u3 cruzer micro

Oct 22, 2008. 10:34 AM REPLY

mindophobic says:

Jun 30, 2008. 8:51 PM REPLY I am more concerned about heat itself from catalyst process. I have melted led that way before, maybe I added too much catalyst?

msfwebdude says:

Feb 21, 2008. 2:18 PM REPLY you could, if there is a next time, put clear packing tape (for boxes and such) on all the wood surfaces, to make a smooth also you could have a floating top mold part that floats on top of the resin after being poured. Like foamcore with clear packing tape on the side it touches the resin. I like you project and may bust of my usb case to do the same. Thanks :)

Jesseton says:
can you use hot glue?

Nov 3, 2006. 8:04 PM REPLY

Ollie1277 says:
did u try using the hot glue i was thinking of trying this, just wanted to know if the memory pen was ok?

Oct 29, 2007. 6:40 AM REPLY

Da_Fudge says:

Dec 18, 2007. 6:53 PM REPLY see here u can use hot glue. make a huge blob, let it cool & cure EVER SO SLIGHTLY. then work the stuff around your drive. done it plenty of times. you can also use polymorph plastic. looks heaps cool. also done that many times. see here

Da_Fudge says:
that link is meant to be at the end of the comment.

Dec 18, 2007. 6:54 PM REPLY

rjones3 says:

Nov 4, 2006. 12:05 AM REPLY I would be worried about the heat. But if you've got a drive that you're willing to sacrifice, go for it! It's all part of the 'make' philosophy that binds us all. You start something not knowing at all whether it will work or cause copper traces to break (see BlackWind's comment).... Best of luck

zachninme says:
It shouldn't damage it, as discussed on the clay thumbdrive instructable.

Dec 2, 2006. 8:47 PM REPLY

Briguy9 says:
I highly agree, if you touch one wrong place on that board, BOOM goes your data

Nov 5, 2007. 1:23 PM REPLY

Einsteins Circuitry says:

Dec 3, 2007. 6:17 PM REPLY I wouldn't be so sure about that. If by touch, you mean just touching it with your finger, than you are wrong about it doing any damage to it. If you mean shorting something with a metal object then you are also (sorta) wrong. Touching it with a metal object will not ever short something unless it is pluggedin. So unless you are doing this with your thumb drive still plugged in (which by the way would be the STUPEDIST thing to do) than you could not damage your thumb drive by touching it. Of course, the only exception to this rule is if the electronical component that you touch is a capacitor. Capacitors store energy even after they are un-plugged so this could produce a short circuit. Unless of course you mean touch as in crushing it. :p PS: When I was doing this project, my thumb-drive slipped off the table ( without its case on) and onto the floor where it then got stepped on by my sister. :( I was expecting it to not work after that but it did! Just goes to show that while they can be fragile, they can also be very tough.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Clear-USB-Drive/

assm4n says:

Aug 30, 2007. 8:55 PM REPLY been there, done that...... ALTERNATIVE WAY!!! get a spare pencil led container (clear, plastic, hollow) sand it down to fit your usb key! EASY

Nicolaclare7 says:

May 17, 2007. 5:48 AM REPLY I have a usb stick which I am going to remove the plastic casing. DOes anyone know if i could (if i covered the male end while casting) cast the whole thing in resin, then once it has dried, cut off the segment covering the end that you insert into the computer, to be used as a cover?

adamthiede says:
good idea. although I already cracked open my USB and made ianhampton's lego usb stick. http://www.instructables.com/id/E06127GI9YEP287UU0/?ALLSTEPS

Jul 22, 2007. 11:40 AM REPLY

berky93 says:

May 21, 2007. 9:46 PM REPLY dont do it that way because it will encase around te holes and inside it, you wont be able to remove it. but try taking a ready-made case and take a mould of the inside, then mould a new cover off of that. (saest way)

CaffeineHouse says:
he said he covered up the plug though... if it was ufficiently taped up i don't see how resin could get in the holes...

Jul 19, 2007. 1:29 PM REPLY

radiohead says:

Apr 11, 2006. 6:38 PM REPLY Cool. At first I was wondering if heat build-up would be an issue, but, I guess if yours is still working, there's no problem. Besides, I guess these things don't use enough power to heat up too much.

CaffeineHouse says:

Jul 19, 2007. 1:32 PM REPLY yeah i just bought a 1gb cruzer micro and i noticed it heated up a LOT while i was transferring large (~250mb) files to it from my friend's PC, and even when i just leave it plugged in for a length of time.

stonehenge360 says:
theoretically, since the resin is clear, that would significantly reduce the heat build-up.

Sep 4, 2006. 9:03 AM REPLY

phingerz says:

May 16, 2007. 7:47 AM REPLY I used araldite epoxy resin, fast stuff sets in 90 secs drive was usable in 15 mins if a little tacky! didn't seem to create any heat and it's still running 9 months later, but will probably fail now I've said that. Mar 10, 2007. 6:03 PM REPLY To date, I am still using the drive that I covered with shrink tube. No, I wouldn't drag this around town, but it works just fine for me around the office. I like your idea primarily for the reason that it would [most likely] prevent the user from bending their drive in the port and breaking the contacts (can't tell you how many I've re-soldered). Mar 6, 2007. 9:15 AM REPLY now you need to cast a cap, to keep dust debris from getting into the plug. i make surfboards every now and again(tee hee) clear resin shouldnt make THAT much heat, and if yours is working than it should be ok....hmmm...if you got motted plastic you might try using wax paper (wax down) on the outside (top) of your resin... it makes it nice and flat and shiny. Feb 10, 2007. 12:32 PM REPLY Thank you for your idea! i tried it with my 1Gig USB. But to attach it to my keys, i build it with a little piece of metal at one side. works perfectly and looks unique.

MadVegetarian says:

MerleCorey says:

Kauz says:

whatsisface says:
sweet i modded my drive into a cassette cos im just that nerdy and/or retro

Jan 22, 2007. 10:40 AM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/Clear-USB-Drive/

princesmay says:
it's a pretty cool but i think its not applicable all the time...

Sep 26, 2006. 9:30 AM REPLY

aforsberg says:

Nov 13, 2006. 6:36 PM REPLY if you mean my idea, then i suppose you're right. but, i had an old 16MEG flash drive without a case, and i wanted an original idea. it looks pretty cool, a little clunky, but hey, it scares the computer teacher whenever i use it. Nov 10, 2006. 10:21 AM REPLY

aforsberg says:
I just got another idea. What if you put it into a 9V battery? I did it, and it'll be my first instructable!

sharlston says:
thats just a usb behind a 9v battery you can tell by the angle

Oct 12, 2009. 11:44 AM REPLY

aforsberg says:
my dad made me remove the instructable. He thought someont might get hurt shelling out the battery.

Nov 14, 2006. 3:14 PM REPLY

Roflolommo says:

Dec 8, 2006. 3:45 PM REPLY tell him your instructable might save a life becuase what if some clumsy person sees your instructable and does that instead of something like tetranites fire cannon.

Da_Fudge says:
ha ha ha ha ha. LOL. good one!

Dec 18, 2007. 6:55 PM REPLY

geeklord says:
I've taken apart a nine volt before, no danger just 6 mini batteries inside. How could someone get hurt???

Aug 4, 2008. 11:01 AM REPLY

view all 66 comments

http://www.instructables.com/id/Clear-USB-Drive/